18 February 2023 , 19:15
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Teenager Brianna Ghey has been remembered with a moving rendition of 'Over the Rainbow' as more people have turned out in tribute.
Further vigils have been held today across Britain to commemorate the 16-year-old who died after she was found with stab wounds at Culcheth Linear Park, near Warrington, last weekend.
Hundreds gathered in London's Soho Square as well as Leeds and Warrington on Saturday, where mourners lit candles and held signs showing her picture.
Crowds also held pride flags and pledged support to the transgender community.
Cheshire Police have previously said there was no evidence that Brianna, who was trans, was killed because of her gender identity, but later admitted they were exploring all avenues, including the possibility it was a hate crime.
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Brianna Ghey was found dead in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire (PA)Mourners also gathered near the scene at Culcheth village green on Saturday, where they laid flowers and wrote tributes to the local teen.
The vigil, one of dozens to have been organised across the UK, was attended by the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and his daughter Annie.
He tweeted: “Here to remember Brianna, send our love to her family and support to young trans people everywhere.”
The vigil in Soho Square was just one of dozens held nationwide for Brianna over the past week (Matthew Chattle/REX/Shutterstock)Many of the well-wishers wore “rest in power Brianna Ghey” T-shirts with a picture of her on the front.
Tricia Anderton, 59, the secretary of Culcheth Village Choir, said: “We were very proud to play even just a small part of this evening’s vigil for Brianna.
“We are a very close community in Culcheth, with many of our choir members having lived in the village for many years and this awful tragedy has touched the hearts of everyone.
Flowers were laid in London's Soho Square for the teen (Matthew Chattle/REX/Shutterstock)“We were asked specifically to sing Over The Rainbow, and it was so lovely to hear everyone joining in.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Brianna’s family and friends.”
Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North, said the local community had been left "reeling".
Speaking at the vigil in Warrington, she said: "It's every MP's worst nightmare to be asked to speak to eulogise a constituent who has been murdered and never more so than in the case of a child."
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Mourners gathered in London's Soho Square paying tribute to teenager Brianna Ghey (Matthew Chattle/REX/Shutterstock)She added: "Trans lives matter and trans young people should have the fundamental rights to dignity and safety that should be universal human rights."
The events follow dozens of other vigils held across the country over the past week following the tragic news, including in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Bristol and Liverpool.
A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been charged with her murder and appeared via videolink at Liverpool crown court on Thursday where a trial date was fixed for July.