Vigils were held in Liverpool and Bristol
(Picture: Getty Images)Candle-lit vigils have been held across the UK in memory of school girl Brianna Ghey who was stabbed to death in a Chesire park.
Two teenagers have been arrested after the transgender student, 16, was found wounded on a path in Linear Park, Culcheth on Saturday afternoon.
Teenagers and mourners have gathered outside churches in Bristol and Liverpool on Tuesday evening to mourn Brianna and show solidarity with the LGBT community.
In the coming days, vigils are due to be held in cities such as London, Glasgow, Leeds and Belfast.
Placards were held reading ‘Protect trans youth’ and ‘the future is queer’ among those who gathered on church steps to light candles. Others simply held black and white photos of Brianna with the words ‘Rest in power’.
Mourners attended a vigil outside St George’s Hall in Liverpool and College Green in Bristol city centre.
A GoFundMe crowdfunding page set up to help Brianna’s family has passed £80,000 in donations just one day after it was set up.
More than 4,500 people from 41 different countries have contributed to the fundraising efforts, GoFundMe confirmed.
Organisers said: “She brought a lot of laughter to those who knew her. She was looking forward to taking her exams this year and beginning her journey into the adult world.
“We have set up this page to help the family at this truly devastating time.”
The victim, who had a large following on social media site TikTok, was a transgender girl.
On Tuesday detectives probing the stab murder said they are investigating whether it was a hate crime.
The force issued a statement which said all lines of inquiry were being explored, “including whether this was a hate crime” after previously saying they were not.
A boy and a girl, both aged 15, were arrested on suspicion of Brianna’s murder and detectives have been granted an extension of 30 hours to further question the two suspects, police said.
In a tribute issued after Brianna’s death on behalf of her family, they said the teenager was a “much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister”.
The statement continued: “She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her.
“Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious.
“Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind.
“The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.”
