Social Entrepreneur Lee Lawrence said he is heartbroken by the murder of Elianne Andam and called the gruesome incident “a parent’s worst nightmare”.
The 15-year-old schoolgirl was fatally stabbed as she stepped off a school bus on her way to school in Croydon, a town in South London, UK, on Sept. 27, 2023.
The 17-year-old who carried out the senseless act has been charged with her murder and the possession of a knife.
Lawrence, also an award-winning author and racial equality activist, and whose daughter was close friends with Elianne, expressed his grief over the teenager’s murder on Instagram.
“This tragedy is near and dear to me.”
“Not only as a parent who has a teenage daughter but as a father whose daughter was close friends with Elianne.
“To see my child hurting and having to experience loss at such a young age is heartbreaking.”
The father-of-three has called on others to donate to the GoFundMe page set up by parents to help Elianne’s family.
Over £40,000 has been raised so far which has surpassed the target of £10,000. The costs are expected to go towards funeral costs and a memorial.
Reports say Elianne’s teenage attacker wearing a mask and gloves, removed a large knife from his waistband and stabbed her repeatedly.
As he fled the scene, others attempted to administer first aid but Elianne could not be saved.
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the school girl’s attacker appeared in the dock at the Central Criminal Court wearing a black sweatshirt, grey joggers and a pair of glasses and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.
As a prosecutor read a brief summary of the case to the court, Elianne’s aunt, Marian, was forced to leave the court after growing too upset at the description of her niece’s stabbing.
