The family of a teenage girl who was stabbed to death in Northumberland have paid tribute to their “much-loved daughter”, as a 16-year-old boy is due to appear in court charged with her murder.
Holly Newton, 15, was found injured in the Priestpopple area of Hexham shortly after 5.10pm on Friday. She was taken to hospital where she later died.
A 16-year-old boy, who was also taken to hospital, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Another 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon and will appear before magistrates in Newcastle today.
‘A much-loved, bright and bubbly girl’
A candle-lighting service has been held at Hexham Abbey so tributes could be paid to Holly, who lived in Haltwhistle, a market town about 15 miles west of Hexham.
Holly’s family have since paid tribute to her in a statement.
They said: “Holly was such a bright and bubbly girl who was so passionate about her family and many friends. She was a much-loved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece and cousin.
“Holly was always a popular girl, who was loved by so many people – not just in Hexham – but all over the North East.”
They described Holly as a talented dancer, who trained regularly at classes and took part in competitions around the country.
“She had her whole life ahead of her and we are still coming to terms with the fact that our beautiful and loving girl is no longer with us,” they added.
“Rest in peace to our baby girl – we love you so much and our lives will never be the same without you here.
“You touched so many hearts and you will be missed beyond words by all of your family and loved ones.”
Holly’s family thanked the community for their support, and asked for the time and privacy to grieve.
Northumbria Police said the investigation is ongoing, with officers remaining in the area for the next few days.
The force said: “Holly still had so much left to look forward to in life, and this tragic incident has left her family devastated beyond words.
“Our thoughts are with both families involved and their loved ones as we continue to support them in every way we can.”
‘A truly lovely student’
Holly was a pupil at Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham, which also paid tribute.
“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,” the school said.
“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.”
Hexham mayor Derek Kennedy said the incident had “knocked everyone for six” in the town, which was named the happiest place to live in Britain in a study in 2021.
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.
“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.”
A man who was jailed for his involvement in the abduction of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews has died.
Michael Donovan became notorious in 2008 after the schoolgirl was found alive in his flat in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, 24 days after she was reported missing from her home in nearby Dewsbury.
The 54-year-old died on Tuesday after collapsing at The Three Valleys Hospital, a mental health unit in Keighley, West Yorkshire, according to The Sun.
The paper reported that Donovan, who was released from prison in 2012, had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
He was jailed in early 2009 alongside Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews, after the pair had planned the disappearance in an attempt to claim a £50,000 cash reward offered at the time by a national newspaper.
Donovan was the uncle of Shannon’s stepfather, Craig Meehan.
Shannon, who is now 25, was found in Donovan’s flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, in the base of a divan bed.
She had been drugged and forced to adhere to a strict list of rules while being held captive.
Leeds Crown Court was told at the time that the ordeal had left Shannon “disturbed and traumatised” and suffering nightmares.
The search for the schoolgirl cost West Yorkshire Police an estimated £3.2m and was the largest inquiry in the force’s history since the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.
Donovan and Matthews were jailed for eight years in January 2009 after being found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
During sentencing, Mr Justice McCombe suggested other people may have been involved in the plot.
However, police said the case was closed and there was no evidence to bring any more charges.
West Yorkshire Police said on Wednesday: “Police were contacted on Tuesday 16 April and made aware of the death of a man in hospital in the Steeton area.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and inquiries will be conducted on behalf of the coroner.”
The group which runs The Three Valleys Hospital declined to comment.
Detectives investigating human remains found wrapped in plastic at a Salford nature reserve believe children who were playing in the area days before the discovery could have crucial information.
The crime scene in Kersal Dale Wetlands has been lifted after a 12-day search involving more than 100 officers, an underwater search team and dogs.
Warning: This story contains details readers may find distressing
The “significant body part” found wrapped in clear plastic on Thursday 4 April was today confirmed by Greater Manchester Police to consist of the bottom part of the deceased’s back, buttocks and thigh.
Detectives are working to identify the victim, who they say was a man likely over the age of 40. It appears he was white, with no distinguishable marks on his body such as scars or tattoos, police added.
Officers think he had only been dead for a few days.
Police have launched a murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses, including dog walkers, who were in the area between 6am and 6pm on the day a passer-by made the grim discovery.
A trawl of footage from nearby CCTV cameras found children were playing in the area in the days leading up to the body part being found and officers believe they “could hold crucial information without even realising it”.
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Detective Chief Inspector Andy Naismith said: “Our focus from day one has remained on the victim’s family. They will be suffering the loss of a loved one, and we need to be able to give them answers so they can come to terms with their loss. Our work is far from over, this is just the beginning of a long and complex investigation.”
He added: “Although we haven’t found any more human remains in the area from our searches, we continue to work with an open mind whilst our murder investigation continues.”
The investigation cannot confirm the deceased’s nationality at this stage, the detective added.
He said: “My team have checked the victim’s DNA against the UK police database and although this does not bring up a match, there is extensive work ongoing, including trawls of various other databases, missing person records and medical records; it’s a big piece of work which will take time.”
The police also want to hear from members of the public who may have a missing family member, DCI Naismith said.
He added: “Right now, as well as wanting to speak to those who may have been in the area where the body part was found, we are also appealing to anyone who has a dad, brother, or son who they have not seen in over 12 days to come forward and speak to us.
“Our victim could be a family member, friend, co-worker or acquaintance and someone somewhere will have an idea of what has happened to him.”
Olly Murs has announced the birth of his first child with his wife Amelia.
The 39-year-old singer published a photo on Instagram of the couple walking down the corridor of a hospital holding hands, with the singer carrying their newborn in a car seat.
He captioned the picture: “Our mini murs has arrived. Madison we love you so much already x.”
The couple announced in December that they were expecting their first child.
The singer married 31-year-old Amelia, a bodybuilder, in a star-studded wedding – featuring a festival called Murs Fest – in July 2023 on Osea Island in Essex.
Murs proposed to Amelia on a south coast clifftop during the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday in 2022.
The singer shot to fame on The X Factor in 2009 and has since released seven albums, achieving four number-one singles in the UK.
Murs returned to present The X Factor in 2015 after hosting its spin-off show The Xtra Factor for two years. He was also a coach on The Voice UK from 2018 to 2023.