Kelyan Bokassa, 14, was stabbed about 27 times on a London bus as he made his way home from school last week, a court has been told.
The court heard that Kelyan, an aspiring rapper, died from a severed femoral artery after he was repeatedly stabbed on the route 474 bus in Woolwich, south-east London, on 7 January.
Two boys aged 15 and 16 have appeared in separate hearings at Bromley youth court. Each has been charged with Kelyan’s murder.
Both defendants wore grey sweatshirts and spoke to confirm their identity.
They were remanded in custody in a youth detention centre and are due to appear at the Old Bailey on Monday. Neither defendant can be named, for legal reasons.
A 44-year-old woman, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released under investigation.
Police were called to Woolwich Church Street, near Woolwich Ferry, just before 2.30pm on Tuesday 7 January. Kelyan died of his injuries shortly after medics arrived at the scene.
His mother, Mary Bokassa, paid tribute to her son’s kind and caring nature, adding that he liked football. “I can’t believe he is gone. I cannot believe it,” she said.
A vigil was held at a church overlooking the bus stop where Kelyan was stabbed last week. One of his friends said Kelyan had a “pure heart” and would “always be there for you”.
