Elianne Andam's sister claims she 'died saving her friend' in emotional tribute

30 September 2023 , 17:29

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Elianne Andam, 15, was stabbed to death on Wednesday morning (Image: PA)

The heartbroken sister of tragic schoolgirl Elianne Andam has paid an emotional tribute to her "baby girl."

The aspiring lawyer, 15, was stabbed in Croydon after intervening in a row between her pal and an ex-boyfriend on the No 60 double-decker bus. Sharing a beaming snap on Instagram, elder sister Nelly wrote: “Elianne died saving her friend, she died for the people she loved most – the true definition of a ride or die.

“The victim was my little sister, someone I’ve watched grow into the person she was. She was there for her friends and family in a second, she made people laugh with her annoying jokes and was a right hand to the people she loved the most. "No words could even describe the person she was - people who met her can't even describe you to her because she was just perfect."

People laying flowers near the scene in Croydon, south London, where 15-year-old Elianne Andam was stabbed to death (PA)

Elianne was on her way to the Old Palace of John Whitgift school when she was stabbed at 8.30am on Wednesday. A 17-year-old boy is said to have pulled a kitchen blade on her as she leapt to retrieve her pal’s teddy.

The teenager - who cannot be named - appeared in court charged with murder on Friday and will appear before the Old Bailey on Tuesday. On Saturday night relatives, friends and wellwishers were seen emotionally embracing next to the makeshift shrine at the bus stop on Wellesley Road in south London.

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Sobbing, her aunt Victoria told us: “Elianne wouldn’t hurt a fly.” And clutching a bunch of yellow daisies, a primary school pal spoke of “very happy” times spent with the “star pupil.”

Elianne’s devastated mum Dorcas Andam was consoled by friends and family at a vigil held at the site on Friday. In a joint family statement, she said their lives had “fallen apart,” and described Elianne as “the light of [their] lives.” On Saturday night, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “My thoughts remain with Elianne’s family and friends, and the whole community in Croydon, at this unimaginably awful time.”

Saskia Rowlands