Stormzy joins mourners at vigil for Croydon stab victim Elianne Andam
Rapper Stormzy was among thousands of mourners at an emotional candlelit vigil for 15-year-old stabbing victim Elianne Andam.
Crowds dressed in white gathered outside Whitgift Shopping Centre in Croydon on Wednesday evening to pay their respects to the teenager, who was stabbed to death at the same spot a week before.
Stormzy, who was brought up in Croydon and whose real name is Michael Omari Owuo Jr, stood silently beside her family as they led mourners in prayer.
A choir sang Amazing Grace, with the crowd including Stormzy, 30, joining in.
Elianne’s mother, Dorcas Andam, paid tribute to her “smart, charismatic” daughter, who “loved living life to the fullest”.
“She brought joy to so many, including her friendship group,” Ms Andam said.
“She was an amazing, beautiful, girl.
“She loved and touched lives around her.”
She said that she cannot believe that her daughter is gone.
Ms Andam added: “I can’t believe we won’t be seeing her anymore. I can’t believe she won’t be there to complain about her teenage activities.
“We should be planning her prom after year 11. She wanted to be a lawyer, and had so much to live for.”
She added: “It was a sad day for the whole family, now we are planning her funeral.”
On the morning that she was fatally attacked, Elianne met with two female friends before travelling to the shopping centre.
People at the scene attempted to administer first aid but Elianne could not be saved.
The alleged killer, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested in New Addington at 9.45am the same day.
He will face a murder trial at the Old Bailey on April 29 of next year.
Hundreds of bouquets of flowers have been left at the scene in memory of the schoolgirl, who wanted to be a lawyer.
She attended Old Palace of St John Whitgift school just half a mile from where she was fatally wounded.
In a statement after the death, Elianne’s family said: “Our hearts are broken by the senseless death of our daughter.
“Elianne was the light of our lives. She was bright and funny, with many friends who all adored her.
“She was only 15, and had her whole life ahead of her, with hopes and dreams for the future.
“All those dreams have now been shattered. Our lives have fallen apart, along with that of our wider family.”
Her school said they were “deeply shocked” by the death and were offering support to grieving pupils.