The killing of a schoolgirl whose body was found in a park is believed to have been a targeted attack.
Brianna Ghey, 16, from Birchwood, was found stabbed in Culcheth Linear Park, Warrington at around 3.15pm yesterday, February 11. The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene, which was taped off as police launched an investigation.
Detective chief superintendent Mike Evans, of Cheshire Police told the ECHO: "At this this time we're treating it as a targeted attack against Brianna. We don't believe there's any risk to the community but we are keeping an open mind.
READ MORE: First picture of girl, 16, found stabbed to death in park
"It's a tragic and shocking set of circumstances which have unfortunately led to a 16-year-old girl losing her life, but I would like to reassure the community there are an awful lot of detectives working on this and we've got an increased presence in the area. You'll see lots of police officers out and about and community support officers. If you do have any concerns please go up to them, speak to them, and please don't speculate at this time."
Police have appealed for two people believed to have been in the local area yesterday to come forward, as officers try to work out Brianna's movements before she died.
The first person Detective chief superintendent Evans asked to come forward was "a (white) male in his late teens or early 20s wearing a long, dark coat, possibly thick material" with "dark curly hair under a hood". He also appealed for a woman who was seen with him, described as white, in her late teens or early 20s, with "long dark hair" and "a purple or red patch blanket jacket, long in length, with a long skirt or dress flowing underneath".
He said: "At the moment, we think this is an isolated incident. We've got a large number of detectives working on it and (the public) will see an increased presence in the area, but that officers searching or officers on high-visibility patrol."
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