Heartbroken family of teenager stabbed to death on London bus gather at funeral

11 November 2023 , 16:15

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Heartbroken family of teenager stabbed to death on London bus gather at funeral

Heartbroken friends and family of Elianne Andam who was fatally stabbed in London have paid tribute to the "beautiful" schoolgirl at her funeral.

Elianne, 15, tragically passed away after she was ruthlessly attacked on her way to school in Croydon, south London, on September 27. Her loved ones held an emotional service, which saw more than 2,000 mourners gather on the live stream alone. It is believed almost 900 people attended the funeral in person.

Pallbearers carried the white and pink coffin into the service which was held at the New Life Christian Centre in Croydon on Saturday. The coffin was brought to the service in a matching coloured carriage with four white horses decorated with pink plumes.

Elianne Andam was tragically stabbed to death in Croydon (PA)

Eliianne was on her way to school with her friends (PA)

The pallbearers wore dark suits with white shirts and pink ties to match the angelic theme. Her loved ones read touching eulogies for Elianne and described her as "a remarkable and multi faceted individual" who will leave a "legacy of faith determination and love for justice", reports My London. Elianne's aunts Regina Boafo and Ruby Paintsil shared how the service would be a celebration of her life because "she's a girl that liked to bring joy to people's lives". They highlighted how the 15-year-old was aspiring to be a lawyer as she wanted to "defend the voiceless". In a heartwrenching statement, Ms Painsil told the BBC : "She doesn't like injustice; she likes justice for people. Every time she'd get in trouble (it was) fighting for someone else."

The service took place at the New Life Christian Centre (PA)

She added that the service would be a celebration and said: "If Elianne was here she'd say 'go on, have fun, don't break down', and things like that." Ms Boafo added: "It will be nice to celebrate it and for us, she will forever remain in our hearts - she can never be gone." Ms Paintsil said that Elianne's mother, Dorcas Andam, was trying to be strong and added: "She is broken a lot ... we have to keep comforting her. She hasn't been herself, every day broken into pieces." Previously, Elianne's family said in a statement: "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. Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus. She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead. It is our request that you keep our cherished daughter Elianne and our family in your thoughts and prayers."

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People attended the funeral in person via live stream (Image: New Life Croydon)

Elianne had met up with two female friends on her way to school before she was "brutally" attacked. It is claimed her attacker, wearing a mask and gloves, had removed a large knife from his waistband and stabbed Elianne repeatedly. As he fled the scene, others attempted to administer first aid but Elianne could not be saved. A special post-mortem examination showed she had suffered multiple stab wounds. A 17-year-old boy has been charged with Elianne's murder and will face trial on April 29. A candle-lit vigil attended by the rapper Stormzy was held outside the Whitgift shopping centre a week after her death.

Monica Charsley