Elianne Andam: Boy, 17, appears in court charged with murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl after Croydon stabbing

A 17-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a 15-year-old girl who was stabbed to death on her way to school.

Elianne Andam died on Wednesday near the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, south London, during the morning rush hour.

The Metropolitan Police said on Friday a teenage boy had been charged with her murder and possession of a knife.

The boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons – has appeared at youth court, sitting at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, where he was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 3 October.

Police responded to the incident in Wellesley Road within two minutes but Elianne was pronounced dead at the scene at around 9.20am.

Her family said their “hearts are broken” following her death.

In a statement, they said: “Elianne was the light of our lives. She was bright and funny, with many friends who all adored her.

“She was only 15, and had her whole life ahead of her, with hopes and dreams for the future.

“All those dreams have now been shattered. Our lives have fallen apart, along with that of our wider family.”

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