Family pay tribute to girl, 16, who was ‘stabbed in the back over a boy’
The family of a 16-year-old girl who was killed in what was said to be a row over a boy have paid tribute to their ‘princess’.
Chloe Watson Dransfield was found with fatal injuries in Kennerleigh Avenue, Austhorpe, Leeds at 6am on Saturday.
The teenager was said to have been stabbed in the back in a dispute over a boy, according to family and neighbours.
A fifth teenager, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday after four others were held over the weekend.
In a statement, her family said: ‘My beautiful princess Chloe. I cannot put into words how I feel that you are not here with me.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
‘You are my life, my world, my best friend and I know that I am yours. I cannot live without you – I need you.
‘You are stunning, confident, loyal, honest and my family-oriented princess.
‘When you walk into any room it lights up with your bubbly personality. There is so much I could say. There’s a big hole in my heart that can never be filled.’
They added: ‘Your two sisters and big brother will always love and miss you to infinity. You will always and forever be in our hearts. Love Mum, Connor, Courtney and Cienna.’
Two women, both 18, a man, 19, and a boy, 18, remain in police custody on Monday after they were arrested on suspicion of murder.
A fifth person, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody.
Her cousin Shantelle Watson wrote on GoFundMe: ‘My 16-year-old cousin’s life was sadly taken in tragedy.
’16 years young. She didn’t even make it to her 18th – her whole life was taken in a flash over a boy.
‘Her mum is distraught; she has left two younger siblings behind.’
She added: ‘I wanted to create a GoFundMe to help give her the best send off possible.
‘She didn’t deserve this; she was so full of life, such an innocent, beautiful soul taken too soon.’
Neighbour Wayne Mallows described how he tried to save the girl but she had been stabbed in the back.
The 64-year-old told the Daily Mail he performed CPR on the teenager on the pavement close to his home.
‘I was called out of the house about 5.50am on Saturday morning by a dog walker,’ he said.
‘She said that my neighbour was outside doing CPR on a young girl. He was getting tired.
‘I asked if they’d rung an ambulance and then I realised that a phone was on the ground and he had it on loudspeaker. Ambulance control were giving him instructions.
‘I took over until the ambulance arrived 10 minutes later. She had been stabbed in the back and there was quite a bit of blood. Her eyes were just blank.’
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Chloe’s family at this incredibly difficult time. Our specially-trained officers continue to provide them with support.
‘Our investigation into her death is ongoing and five people arrested on suspicion of murder remain in custody, as we continue to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
‘I am appealing to anyone with any relevant information to contact us.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Man found walking alone down motorway reveals to officers his ‘evil’ secret
MORE: Skeletor dealer unmasked as teenager importing weapons to his parent’s home
MORE: Thieves steal £8,000,000 worth of paintings in just three minutes