Jodie Chesney: Family of girl, 17, stabbed to death issue plea to catch killer

The girl scout was reportedly cradled by her boyfriend while she lay dying as he urged her to "please, stay awake".

Jodie Chesney was named as the victim by her grandmother.
Image:Jodie was named as the victim by her grandmother
The family of a 17-year-old girl stabbed to death in a London park have urged anyone with information about the killing to come forward as police hunt for the culprit.
Jodie Chesney was killed in an "unprovoked attack" at a children's play area in Harold Hill, Romford, on Friday night, her grandmother Debbie Chesney said.
The teenager - a girl scout who had recently visited Downing Street - was cradled by her boyfriend while she lay dying as he urged her to "please, stay awake", according to reports.
Jodie Chesney
Image:Jodie was stabbed to death on Friday evening
Writing on Facebook, Jodie's grandmother Debbie said: "How have we come to this point where kids can't have a walk in a park without suffering an unprovoked attack?
"If anyone knows anything about this please contact the police with information.
"We don't want anyone else to go through what our family is suffering right now.
"This has to stop, there are too many young people having their lives cut short by needless violence."
People place flowers near the scene of the stabbing
Image:People place flowers near the scene of the stabbing
Sky correspondent Emma Birchley said a team of officers in forensic suits returned to the site on Sunday morning to continue their search for evidence.
A witness told Sky News she heard arguing and a "disturbing" scream before police were called by paramedics to the area - known as Amy's Park - at 9.25pm on Friday and found Jodie with a stab injury.
Cries of "help me" were also heard before she was pronounced dead shortly after 10.25pm.
Jodie's boyfriend - named in reports as 18-year-old Eddie Coyle - was said to be "in pieces" following his girlfriend's death.
Jodie Chesney and her boyfriend Eddie Coyle. Pic: Facebook
Image:Jodie Chesney and her boyfriend Eddie Coyle. Pic: Facebook
According to the Mail on Sunday, his mother's partner said: "I don't know how long it will take for Eddie to come back from this.
"To have to witness what he did is devastating. I can't even begin to imagine what he's going through."
Jodie Chesney pictured outside 10 Downing Street four months ago
Image:Jodie Chesney pictured outside 10 Downing Street four months ago
Jodie had celebrated her father's birthday two days ago, sharing a photo on Instagram with the caption "happy birthday dad" alongside a smiley face and a love heart.
She had visited Downing Street with the Scouts in November and posed for a picture with members of her troop outside the front door of Number 10.
She had also recently represented the scout explorers at a remembrance service at the Royal Albert Hall.
Anna Skipworth, district explorer scout leader, paid tribute to Jodie, saying she had "blossomed into an amazing young woman".
People place flowers near the scene of the stabbing
Image:Jodie was said to have 'blossomed into an amazing young woman'
"She always had a smile on her face, supporting the younger members where she could, " Ms Skipworth said.
"She was funny, intelligent and a joy to work with. We are devastated by her loss."
Krystle Pasha, who lives close to the scene of the stabbing, told Sky News: "I heard a lot of loud arguing, a lot of loud noise, shouting, followed by a really loud scream.
"The scream was very disturbing to hear. Then I heard someone shouting out; 'Help me, help me'."
A 17-year-old girl has been stabbed to death in a park in Havering, east London
Image:The teenager was attacked in a park in Harold Hill, Romford
Ms Pasha said young people were often in the park at night, where there is no lighting, but that the area is not known to have a gang problem.
"To hear what I heard last night, and to have it right opposite me, is very upsetting indeed," she added.
Paul Farenden, 54, said his wife had rushed to the scene from her home after hearing screaming and was "shocked" by the amount of blood.
Forensic officers inspect the scene where a 17-year-old girl was stabbed to death
Image:Forensic officers inspect the crime scene
"My wife asked if everything was alright and one of the boys said 'no, my girlfriend has been stabbed'," he said.
"She put her in the recovery position and waited for the ambulance to turn up. I think she tried to resuscitate her.
"She thought it was all over then and it would be alright."
Friends of the victim left flowers at the scene, with one message reading: "We love you. You are in all of our hearts."
Forensic officers inspect the scene where a 17-year-old girl was stabbed to death
Image:The stabbing happened in a park known as Amy's park
Another message said: "You are so strong. We will always remember you."
Acting detective chief superintendent John Ross said there would be extra police in the area following Jodie's death.
"I am urging any witnesses - anyone who saw anything suspicious - or anyone with any information about the incident to contact police and share what they know," he said.
Flowers were left at the scene of the stabbing
Image:Flowers were left at the scene
Jodie was the 18th person to be killed in London this year and the first victim to be a first teenage girl.
Her death comes after three other young people were fatally stabbed in the capital in recent days.
A woman was also arrested after a man in his 30s was seriously injured in a stabbing in Soho, central London on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the country, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, on Saturday, and there have been three deadly knife attacks in Birmingham in a fortnight.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the murders of young people "can't go on" and he will meet police chiefs in the coming days "to hear what more can be done".
"[It's] vital we unite to stop this senseless violence," he added.

Comments