Teenager charged with murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam

A 17-year-old has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam who was stabbed to death on her way to school.

The Metropolitan Police said the teenager would appear in court on Friday over the death of Elianne who was wounded in the neck after getting off a bus on Wednesday morning in south London.

Her family visited the scene where she died in Wellesley Road, Croydon, on Thursday evening as crowds gathered outside the police cordon and prayers were said.

Elianne has been described by her family has the “light of our lives”. They said she was “bright and funny” and “had her whole life ahead of her”.

On Thursday at a vigil where she died, a large group of relatives put their arms around each other as flowers were put on the ground.

A statement read out by a church leader on behalf of the family said: “We as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne. Our hearts are broken.”

Meanwhile, Elianne’s friends were “sobbing” and “so emotional” at her school on Thursday, Donna Murray-Turner, chairwoman of the local Safer Neighbourhood Board, told crowds after visiting the independent Old Palace of John Whitgift School earlier in the day.