Hexham stabbing: Residents with ‘shivers down spine’ after suspected murder of 15-year-old girl

Shocked Hexham residents and visitors to the Northumberland town have been left ‘sick’ following the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl in a suspected murder on Friday evening.

A probe is underway from Northumbria Police with a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder after the incident which took place shortly after 5:10 pm on Friday, January 27.

Emergency services attended the scene where the boy and girl – aged 16 and 15 – had suffered serious injuries consistent with having been caused by a bladed article.

They were both taken to hospital, with the girl’s injuries described as life-threatening. Sadly, despite the best efforts of hospital staff, the girl passed away later that evening. The boy suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Hexham stabbing victim ‘the most beautiful girl in the world’

The identity of the victim has not yet been confirmed by the police but floral tributes left at the police cordon on Priestpopple mourned the loss of “the most beautiful girl in the world”, the “best sister in the world” and “a life taken too soon”.

Forensic specialists were present on the scene on Saturday morning and the cordon remains in place from the Halifax on Priestpopple and through the New Court alleyway to Wentworth Place.

Hexham, a popular day trip destination from Newcastle and Carlisle, remains busy on Saturday with many in the town unaware of the suspected murder.

One couple who passed the cordon at Saturday lunchtime have lived in Hexham for two years and said they were left with “shivers down the spine” at the news. One added that he often used the alleyway to get through town and that he often saw “young people just enjoying themselves” and were never “troublesome”.

One day visitor from Newcastle said: “I’ve never seen so many police cars. It’s two lives destroyed. We came here for a nice day out and didn’t expect to see it.”

Another visitor to the town described the incident as “terrible”. They added: “You would never expect that definitely not here.”

‘Hexham has a very low crime rate’

Shortly after news of the tragedy broke, Derek Kennedy, mayor of Hexham, said: “Obviously this is very tragic to hear. It’s really terrible news to hear of this incident. Hexham has a very low crime rate so when major incidents happen which they have done in the past, it’s a great shock to the whole town.

“We live in such a community that doesn’t suffer a lot of crime. The whole town’s talking about it with the people involved being so young.”

This morning, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness today said: “Absolutely devastating news from Hexham- incidents like this should never happen and are truly shocking. All my thoughts are with the family, friends and loved ones of the victim. Thank you to @northumbriapol for their response to this horrific case.”

Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison, Area Commander for Northumberland and North Tyneside, of Northumbria Police spoke to the press on Saturday afternoon. Speaking of the impact on the victims’ families, she said: “This is a devastating time for the families of these young people. What is really important is we continue to provide that special support and advice from our specially trained officers to make sure they get through the coming days, weeks and month.”

Superintendent Rennison was unable to provide any further updates as to the victim and suspect identities, a motivation behind the stabbing or any details on the weapon used.

Both the victims of the attack and the suspect who has been arrested by police are believed to have known each other. The 16-year-old boy who has been arrested remains in police custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of their website.