The sister of Rhiannon Skye Whyte, who was fatally stabbed while waiting on the platform of a Walsall train station, a two-minute walk from her workplace, has called the impact of losing her “catastrophic”.
Whyte, 27, was seriously injured at Bescot Stadium railway station on 20 October while on the phone to her best friend, after finishing a shift at a nearby Radisson hotel.
Deng Chol Majek, 18, understood to be a Sudanese asylum seeker who was staying at the hotel where Whyte worked, has been charged with murder following the attack.
Alexandra Whyte, 29, Rhiannon’s sister, said: “We are taking it minute by minute. The impact of losing Rhiannon is catastrophic.”
Rhiannon’s family said she had been working in hospitality at the Park Inn by Radisson hotel for about six months prior to her death, and enjoyed “sitting with and spending time with the service users” who stayed there.
Alexandra said: “A lot of them opened up to her about their story of how they came to the UK. She always saw the good in everyone, and with her working at the hotel, it meant that she was making a positive difference to people in need.”
The family first found out about the attack from Rhiannon’s close friend, who had been on the phone to her when the assault took place, and called emergency services and Rhiannon’s family after becoming concerned about what she had heard.
Alexandra said: “I can’t imagine what [her friend] must have felt in that moment. But thankfully for her and her quick reaction, she got Rhiannon the help she needed.
“We were in shock. But as a family we were holding out hope. We never believed it would be life ending for her.”
Rhiannon was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the attack at about 11.25pm on 20 October and she died in hospital from her injuries three days later, surrounded by her family.
“We got to hold her hand. We got to be with her. We got to play her songs,” her sister said. “We were told Rhiannon would have been blind due to her injuries, but we as a family thought, OK, we will take care of her, she would be absolutely fine, she’ll never need or want for anything. But her condition deteriorated very, very fast after a little glimmer of hope.”
Alexandra described her sister, one of five siblings, as “the most selfless, giving, loving person” who was “quirky, unconventionally funny and family oriented”.
She said: “Everywhere she went, she made new friends and these were friends for life. Her devotion to help was unmatched, and she was always happy. If she ever thought that someone was down or feeling low, she always went above and beyond to pick them up again.”
She was a fan of Disney and particularly loved the character Stitch from Lilo & Stitch, they said.
Rhiannon had a five-year-old son and a number of young nieces and nephews who are all heartbroken after her death, her family said. They have raised more than £5,000 to support her son and honour Rhiannon’s legacy.
Alexandra said: “It was never quiet with our family, but Rhiannon would always be in the middle of it, always. And now we’re sitting in a room waiting for her to walk in and knowing that is never going to happen – that’s what is crushing us.”
Rhiannon lived with her mother, described as her “best friend”, in Walsall, and her journey to and from work took only 10 minutes, including a five-minute trip on the train she was waiting for at the time of the attack.
“It is a minute and a half on a slow walk from the doors of her work to the platform she was standing on, and her train was less than two minutes away. She did this journey six days a week, most weeks, it was the most normal of things for Rhiannon,” said Alexandra.
“No matter what, Rhiannon will get the justice she deserves and we will continue to say her name.”
A spokesperson for the Radisson hotel group said: “We are extremely saddened by the loss of a much-valued staff member of the hotel following this tragic event.
“Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies are with Rhiannon’s family and support is being provided to those affected as much as possible during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family’s privacy and the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”
