Croydon stabbing: First responders lay flowers for Elianne Andam

The family of Elianne Andam, who was stabbed to death as she made her way to school on Wednesday, have described her as the “light of our lives” in a tribute to the 15-year-old. In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, the family said: “Our hearts are broken by the senseless death of our daughter. “Elianne was the light of our lives. She was bright and funny, with many friends who all adored her She was only 15, and had her whole life ahead of her, with hopes and dreams for the future. “All those dreams have now been shattered. Our lives have fallen apart, along with that of our wider family.” Elianne was killed on Wednesday as she made her way to Old Palace of John Whitgift, a private girls school in Croydon, South London. Twenty Metropolitan Police officers who were among the first to respond to the fatal stabbing of Elianne Andam have floral tributes at the scene of her death, Ewan Somerville reports. Read your updates here: #police #crime #croydon #london Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: Get the latest headlines: and are websites of The Telegraph, the UK’s best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.