Yahoo News Second arrest over murder of stab attack victim Jodie Chesney as teen's father urges killer to 'do the right thing'
A second person has been arrested on suspicion of murdering teenager Jodie Chesney, who was stabbed in the back in a park in what police have dubbed a “savage, evil attack”.
The 17-year-old boy was arrested in London on Friday morning, police said, while a 20-year-old man arrested in Leicester on Tuesday evening remains in custody.
Jodie, 17, was in the park in Harold Hill, east London, with friends when she was approached by two males and knifed from behind in a seemingly motiveless attack on March 1.
Jodie’s family have made an emotional appeal for someone “to do the right thing” and help catch her killer.
The A-level student’s father Peter Chesney said: “You can’t get kudos for stabbing a 17-year-old in the back. So, just dob them in, grass them up, this is not alright.
“It was obviously a murder as well, it wasn’t an accident… it was so ferocious the attack. She lost so much blood. This was on purpose, someone meant to murder her.”
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Jodie was playing music with five other teenagers in the park when they became aware of two males who left at around 9pm without interacting with them, the Metropolitan Police said.
About 30 minutes later, the pair returned and one stabbed Jodie in the back without saying a word, officers added.
Calling for anyone with information to come forward, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams said: “This was a savage, evil attack.
“At this time, there being no clear motive is very unusual. We retain an open mind and can’t rule anything out.”
Jodie’s death has added to the urgency for action to be taken to tackle knife crime across the UK.
Police have called for a reverse in the cuts to the number of officers under austerity measures, but Chancellor Philip Hammond on Thursday told forces to refocus their existing resources.
