Young Lainie Williams, 17, was found dead in a pool of blood at her family home with her mum Rhian Stephens, 38, being injured in the incident
A schoolgirl praised as being the “loveliest person” was found dead in a pool of blood with her mum injured after a knifeman allegedly attacked them in their own home.
Lainie Williams, 17, was found dead at her home with her mum Rhian Stephens, 38, also being injured, though she managed to escape. A man aged 18 was arrested and is being questioned by detectives on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
One local said: “Lainie was the loveliest, kindest person who had a lot of friends. The girls are in bits.” Police launched a murder probe after being alerted to a 999 report of two attacks at a semi-detached home near Blackwood, South Wales.
The violence broke out at about 7am just before sunrise at the tight-knit community. Neighbours said they awoke to sirens and helicopters before police banged on their doors at about 7:15am today. Local Michelle Davies said: “It is terrible. That poor girl had everything to live for and now she is gone.
“At least the mother survived but she will never get over what she witnessed.” Mother-of-two Rhian had lived in the semi-detached house for at least five years.
A Gwent Police spokesman said: “Officers, including firearms officers as a precaution, attended a property in Wheatley Place at around 7.15am on Thursday 13 November after reports that two people had sustained serious injuries. Paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service and Welsh Air Ambulance were in attendance.”
Tragically Lainie was pronounced dead at the scene with two police cars being seen outside the home. Rhian is being treated in hospital.
The teenage man from nearby Newbridge was arrested and is now in police custody. Detective Superintendent Philip O’Connell, the senior investigating officer, said: “We can confirm that we’re not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident after making this arrest earlier.
“We understand that reports of this nature can be concerning, and it is likely that residents will see an increased number of officers in the area while we carry out further enquires. If anyone has any information, please speak to our officers or contact us in the usual way.”
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