Newsbreak: Transgender teen’s murder sparks nationwide vigils and hate crime investigation in UK

16-year-old Brianna Ghey, a trans girl, was found dead with stab wounds in a Warrington park in the UK. Two 15-year-olds have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Police are investigating the possibility of a hate crime and warning against misinformation.

A candle-lit vigil is planned on Tuesday evening in Liverpool to pay tribute to Brianna and will be followed by more than 30 others across the UK. LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall and Mermaids have paid tribute to Brianna and urged anyone with information to come forward, as reported by The Guardian on February 14, 2023.

Brianna’s family has thanked everyone for their support and has described her as a much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. A GoFundMe crowdfunding page set up to help pay for Brianna’s funeral has passed £75,000 in donations.

Police have asked anyone who might have been in the park on Saturday to come forward and check any CCTV or dashcam footage. The police are treating the stabbing as a possible hate crime, and Brianna’s gender identity is being considered as a possible factor in her killing.

The police investigation is ongoing and a postmortem examination is taking place. Police are still searching for the weapon used in the killing. Officers have urged local businesses and residents to check any CCTV or dashcam footage that might aid the investigation.

Brianna’s family released a statement on Monday saying she was a beloved daughter and had a big personality. Her loss has affected many. Police have increased patrols in the area to provide support and address concerns.