Elianne Andam tragedy: Teen, 17, appears in court charged with murder after girl, 15, knifed to death in Croydon
A teenager has appeared in court charged with murder after a girl was stabbed.
The 17-year-old was arrested after 15-year-old Elianne Andam was injured in the neck in Croydon when she intervened in an argument between a pal and her ex-boyfriend on the number 60 double-decker bus.
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The teenager was remanded in custody after appearing at Croydon Magistrates Court.
He is charged with murder and knife possession and cannot be named for legal reasons.
Police recovered a knife in Cedar Road, south London, yesterday.
Last night, Elianne’s devastated mother Dorcas Andam visited the bus stop where her daughter was killed.
Crying relatives were seen hugging each other emotionally and wrapping their arms around each other.
The group was joined on site by the leader of a local church and James Watkins, leader of the Mainzworld church group.
Speaking alongside Elianne’s friends and family, the Bishop of Croydon, Rosemarie Mallett, said: “I am here to make a statement written by the family on behalf of the family.”
“As a family, we find it difficult to understand this painful tragedy that has befallen our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne.
“Our hearts are broken. And we are overcome with sorrow and sorrow – our faith in the Lord strengthens us.”
“We would like to express our gratitude to those who took the time to send us thoughtful and compassionate messages and prayers.
“We kindly ask for your consideration, including our need for privacy, as we attempt to come to terms with our deeply devastating loss.”
“Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus.
“She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead of her.”
They left at least five bouquets of flowers before hugging and returning to cars and a minivan that took them from the family home, less than a half-mile away.
Meanwhile, Elianne’s friends were “sobbing” and “so emotional” at the Old Palace at John Whitgift School on Thursday.
Donna Murray-Turner, chairwoman of the local Safer Neighborhood Board, said she read messages in a condolence book and they “talked about her laughing.”
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She added: “Staff and teachers talked about how when she walked into a room you knew she was there.”
“And her friends were sobbing, as you can imagine. They were so emotional.”
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