Brianna Ghey: Candle-lit vigils are being held in Manchester and around the UK

Candle-lit vigils are being held across the UK to honour 16-year-old Brianna Ghey who was stabbed to death in a park on Saturday.

The schoolgirl was found lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds in Linear park, in Culcheth, Warrington, on Saturday February 11th. Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 3pm but Brianna, who was transgender, was pronounced dead.

A 15-year-old boy and girl have both been arrested under the suspicion of murder. Police have said there is no evidence to suggest the killing was a hate crime.

Manchester’s vigil to honour Brianna’s life will be held in Sackville Gardens on Wednesday February 15th at 7pm.

Vigils are also planned for this evening in Liverpool and Bristol, with others expected over the next coming days in Glasgow and Leeds. Additional events are planned to be held in Reading, Plymouth, Brighton, Belfast, London and York.

Brianna’s family paid tribute to the ‘much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister’, and said her death had left a ‘massive hole’. In a statement they described her as ‘fearless’ and ‘one of a kind’.

The vigils across the country are being organised by members of the transgender community and supporters. Donations on a GoFundMe crowdfunding page set up for Brianna’s family, which said the schoolgirl was ‘looking forward to taking her exams this year’, have passed £67,000.

Police said a post-mortem examination was planned and officers were still searching for the weapon used. They are also trying to establish a motive for the attack.

Extra patrols have been spotted around the area, which is a well-known dog-walking spot, while witnesses have been urged to contact Cheshire Police.