NEED TO KNOW
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The 17-year-old who was fatally stabbed at a home in Caerphilly County, Wales on Thursday, Nov. 13 has been identified as Lainie Williams
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Williams’ mother, Rhian Stephens, 38, was also wounded in the attack but is recovering at a local hospital
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Local police arrested an 18-year-old suspect but did not share a motive as of Friday, Nov. 14
A Welsh family is “heartbroken” after a 17-year-old girl was stabbed to death inside her home on Thursday morning alongside her mother.
Now, local police say they’re working to figure out why the alleged suspect killed teenager Lainie Williams and attempted to kill her mother Rhian Stephens.
Police were called to the home in the quiet Cefn Fforest neighborhood of Caerphilly County at around 7:15 in the morning local time on Nov. 13, according to Wales Online, the BBC and Sky News. The outlets reported that Lainie was pronounced dead at the scene, while her mother was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
An unidentified 18-year-old man was taken into custody and officials with Gwent Police told reporters they’re not looking for any additional suspects or persons of interest, according to the BBC.
The outlet reported that more than €1,500 has been raised for the family by Lainie’s cousin Shania Price, who wrote in an online fundraiser that the family was “heartbroken” in the wake of the attack.
“We are heartbroken to share the sad passing of our beautiful Lainie Williams, whose life was tragically taken far too soon,” Price wrote, according to BBC. “As her family navigates this unimaginable loss, we are hoping to come together as a community to help ease the financial burden of giving Lainie the beautiful send-off she deserves.”
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Community members expressed shock in the day following the attack, according to Wales Online. Many found themselves surprised at the violence given the typically calm nature of the Cefn Fforest neighborhood, per the outlet.
“Something like this is highly unusual in this area, and I can understand if many residents are now frightened,” Cefn Fforest Councillor Shane Williams said, according to the outlet. “When a young girl loses her life like that, it’s quite horrendous.”
Williams said local community members were “all deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident.
Wales Online further reported that Lainie’s classmates have since taken to social media to share memories and rally around her family, using the slogan “Justice for Lainie” on TikTok and Facebook.
“We will never stop saying your name!” one classmate wrote, per the outlet. “My heart is aching knowing we couldn’t do nothing to help you, it was done before we knew! Life is cruel, too short and makes us realise to take more time to see the ones we love.”
A motive for the attack has not been publicly announced as of Friday, Nov. 14.
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