Schoolgirl, 15, stabbed to death in market town named as friends pay tribute
A 15-year-old girl tragically killed in a stabbing has been named by police, as her family is left "devastated beyond words".
Holly Newton, described as a "beautiful girl who loved to dance" and a "truly lovely student", was found injured in the market town of Hexham shortly after 5.10pm on Friday and later died in hospital.
A 16-year-old boy was also taken to hospital after suffering serious, non-life-threatening injuries.
Another boy, also aged 16, has since been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon. He is due to appear before magistrates in Newcastle tomorrow.
The suspect and the victim are believed to be known to each other.
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In an update today, Northumberland Police said: "Holly still had so much left to look forward to in life, and this tragic incident has left her family devastated beyond words.
Friends have paid tribute to Holly Newton, also known as Holly Olivia (Facebook)"Our thoughts are with both families involved and their loved ones as we continue to support them in every way we can.
"The investigation is ongoing, and we would like to thank the people of Hexham – and beyond – who have greatly assisted with our enquiries and shown their support."
Yesterday afternoon, Holly's close relatives friends turned up in droves to lay flowers at the scene of the attack.
A note left by her mother read: "To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt so much right now. We love you so much. Love mam and Lee. See you soon beautiful."
The teenager's family has been left "devastated beyond words" (Northumbria Police)Another laid by her grandmother read: "All ways loved never forgotten. Your never be out of our thoughts. All our love nana and granddad."
Holly had attended the Queen Elizabeth School in her town.
The school said in a statement: "We are in shock after the terrible events of Friday evening and devastated at the loss of Holly, a truly lovely student who was quiet, conscientious, helpful and kind.
"Our thoughts are with Holly’s family at this time of unbearable pain. We will come together as a school community on Monday to support each other as we grieve.
Holly had attended the Queen Elizabeth School in her town
One of Holly's friends described her as a "beautiful 15-year-old who loved dancing"More than £3,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe for the family at the time of writing.
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One friend wrote on the fundraising page: "Holly was a beautiful 15 year old that loved dancing and will be sadly missed."
Police were called to an incident in Hexham town centre shortly after 5.10pm on Friday.
Two people, Holly and another boy aged 16, suffered serious injuries "consistent with having been caused by a bladed article".
Friends turned up in droves to lay flowers at the scene (North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)Northumbria Police said: "They were both taken to hospital where sadly, despite the best efforts of hospital staff, the girl passed away.
"She can now be named as 15-year-old Holly Newton, of Haltwhistle in Northumberland.
"Both families continue to be supported by specially trained officers at this devastating time. The injured boy remains in hospital in a stable condition.
"Another boy, aged 16, was arrested on suspicion of assault and later on suspicion of murder. He has since been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Tributes at the scene (Newcastle Chronicle)"The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is scheduled to appear before magistrates in Newcastle on Monday (January 30)."
All those involved are believed to be known to each other, added the force.
A candle-lighting service was held at Hexham Abbey so people could pay tribute to Holly, who lived in the market town of Haltwhistle.
Heartbreaking messages were left at the spot (Newcastle Chronicle)Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham, said he is "horrified that such a tragic incident" has taken place in the town.
He added: "My thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the families of those involved."
Hexham mayor Derek Kennedy said everyone in the town, which was named the happiest place to live in Great Britain last year in a study by Rightmove, had been "knocked everyone for six", following the incident.
The scene on Saturday morning (North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)On Sunday, he said: "The whole town is still coming to terms with this, it's been a massive shock.
"I was at Hexham Abbey where they've held a service for Holly, I lit a candle as did other people to pay tribute.
"A young girl who's just starting life and attending the local high school, starting her education and getting out there, it's just terrible, as a town we pay tribute to her.
The alleged stabbing took place on Friday (North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)"It's going to have a big impact on all the schoolchildren when they go back on Monday because one of their own won't be coming back ever again."
At a press briefing yesterday, Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison said that, although the investigation is in the very early stages, police believe all those involved are known to each other.
She said: "We are determined to find out exactly what happened yesterday and bring anyone involved to justice.
Friends showed up throughout yesterday to leave tributes (Newcastle Chronicle)"We recognise the impact that these incidents can have within communities and our officers will remain in the area to carry out a range of inquiries."
When asked what impact the incident has had on the families, Chief Superintendent Rennison said: "This is a devastating time for the families of these young people and what is really important is we continue to provide that specialist support and advice from our specially trained officers to make sure that they get through the coming days, weeks and months."
The police chief said they were treating it as an isolated incident.
"We do not believe there is any further, wider risk to the community or anybody else," she said.
"We are absolutely treating this as an isolated incident with those involved, we believe, were known to each other."
Chief Superintendent Rennison also sent a message to the people of Hexham.
Police forensics team at scene this weekend (chroniclelive)She said: "To the people of Hexham, we will continue to be visible in your communities. We will continue to support you.
"The actions of those residents in the town centre yesterday just shows how tight and supportive the community are In times of tragedy.
"We will continue to work with you and we will be visible to offer that reassurance over the coming days."
If you would like to to donate to Holly's fundraising page, click here
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