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Brianna Ghey: £70,000 raised for family of girl, 16, killed in park

Friends Victoria and Jacob Potter launched a GoFundMe page to help Brianna's family in the aftermath of her death.

Brianna Ghey, 16, was found with multiple stab wounds on a path in Linear Park, Culcheth, on Saturday afternoon and died at the scene. (GoFundMe/Victoria Potter)
Brianna Ghey, 16, was found with multiple stab wounds on a path in Linear Park, Culcheth, on Saturday afternoon and died at the scene. (GoFundMe/Victoria Potter)

A GoFuneMe fundraiser for the family of a girl found stabbed to death in a park on Saturday has topped £70,000 in donations in the days since she was killed.

Brianna Ghey suffered multiple stab wounds on Saturday afternoon in Culcheth near Warrington, Cheshire.

A boy and girl, both aged 15, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody. Police have said the murder of a 16-year-old girl in a park was "targeted" – with detectives now investigating whether her death was a hate crime.

Cheshire Police previously said there was no evidence to suggest Brianna, who was a transgender girl, was the victim of a hate crime.

But on Tuesday, the force issued a statement which said all lines of inquiry were being explored.

Candlelit vigils are also set to take place in memory of Brianna, with events organised by members of the transgender community due to be held in cities such as London, Glasgow, Leeds and Belfast.

Friends Victoria and Jacob Potter launched a GoFundMe page to help Brianna's family in the aftermath of her death.

Police investigators remained at the scene in Culcheth, Cheshire, on Monday. (Getty)
Police investigators remained at the scene in Culcheth, Cheshire, on Monday. (Getty Images)

They wrote: "We would like to help the Ghey family who has had their beautiful daughter cruelly taken from them in the most shocking and heartbreaking way.

"Brianna was an outgoing, confident girl. She brought a lot of laughter to those who knew her. She was looking forward to taking her exams this year and beginning her journey into the adult world."

The pair said they set up the page to help the family "at this truly devastating time".

They added: "We need your support to help them with funeral costs – we want to make this pink and colourful to match her personality – and ask if you can spare anything no matter how small to try to relieve their stress and allow them to grieve their beautiful daughter."

By Tuesday afternoon the fundraiser had received £72,000 and was still increasing.

Watch: Teenage trans girl's final TikTok videos before she was stabbed to death

In the coming days, vigils organised by members of the transgender community are due to be held in cities such as London, Glasgow, Leeds and Belfast – with events in Liverpool and Bristol due to take place on Tuesday evening.

Friends have paid tribute to Brianna saying she "deserved the world".

In a statement, her family said: "Brianna was a much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister.

"She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her.

"Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind.

"The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same."

Floral tributes have been left where Brianna Ghey was found with multiple stab wounds in Linear Park, Cheshire, on Saturday. (Getty)
Floral tributes have been left where Brianna Ghey was found with multiple stab wounds. (Getty Images)

Brianna was born male and charity Stonewall UK issued a statement in reaction to her death.

It said: "Our thoughts are with Brianna Ghey, a young trans woman, and her loved ones, following her tragic murder in Cheshire. We urge anyone who may have information which will help the police with their enquiries to come forward."

Emma Mills, Brianna's headteacher at Birchwood Community High School, said: "We are shocked and truly devastated to hear of the death of Brianna.

"This is understandably a very difficult and distressing time for many and we will do our utmost to support our pupils and wider school community."

Police forensics officers remain at the scene of Brianna's death. A boy and girl, both aged 15, have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the fatal stabbing. (Getty)
Police forensics officers remain at the scene. A boy and girl, both aged 15, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. (Getty Images)

Read more: Ex-student who stabbed university lecturer 12 times is sectioned indefinitely

A Cheshire Police spokesman confirmed on Monday that the attack was not being classed as a hate crime.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Evans said police are pursuing several lines of inquiry and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: "We are doing all that we can to establish the exact circumstances of what has happened. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the circumstances surrounding Brianna’s death are hate related."

He appealed for witnesses or anyone with information connected to the incident to contact police.