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'OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN'
Elianne Andam’s mum pays tribute at Croydon bus stop where daughter, 15, was killed as family ‘overwhelmed by sorrow’
A MUM has paid tribute at the bus stop where her 15-year-old daughter was killed - with her family "overwhelmed by sorrow".
Old Palace student Elianne Andam was stabbed in Croydon after intervening in a row between a pal and her ex-boyfriend on the No60 double-decker bus.
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Her devastated mum Dorcas Andam was consoled by friends and family at the scene where "beautiful" Elianne was killed on her way to school on Wednesday.
Weeping relatives were seen emotionally embracing with their arms wrapped around one another.
The group were joined at the scene by the leader of a local church, as well as James Watkins, the leader of the Mainzworld community group.
They left at least five bouquets of flowers before hugging and returning to cars and a minivan which brought them from the family home less than half a mile away.
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Standing alongside Elianne's friends and family, Bishop of Croydon Rosemarie Mallett said: "I am here to make a statement on behalf of the family written by the family.
“We, as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne.
“Our hearts are broken. And we are overwhelmed by sorrow and grief our faith in the Lord is strengthening us.
“We would like to express our gratitude to those who have taken the time to send us thoughtful and compassionate messages and prayers.
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“We kindly ask for your consideration to also respect our need for privacy as we attempt to come to grips with our deeply devastating loss.
“Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus.
“She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead of her.
“It is our request that you keep our cherished daughter Elianne and our family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you very much.
“The family will not be saying anything more than that.”
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The boy is said to have pulled out a foot-long, serrated zombie knife and stabbed Elianne when she leapt to her pal's defence on Wellesley Road in south London yesterday.
Both the land and air rushed to the scene but she was pronounced dead 40 minutes later.
In an earlier statement the family told how Elianne hoped to become a lawyer.
They added: “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.”
The family live 600 yards from where their daughter was attacked.
Fighting back tears, aunt Marian said: “Elianne went to school and she didn’t come home. She was a lovely girl, loved doing her hair.
“She wanted to be a lawyer, and she was at a private school paid for by my sister.
“We are devastated by this. She was a 15-year-old, what can you say?
"This is a tragedy and the worst that’s happened to the family.
“It’s a big family and everyone has come together for my sister, we are supporting each other.”
Family friend Adama Dumbuya, 30, added: “She was such a lovely little girl, very polite.
“She helped a lot to look after her brother. I just can’t imagine what he is going to be like.
“I know they were so close. She always looked after him. He is going to be so heartbroken.”
A 17-year-old suspect remains in custody after police were granted an extra 12 hours to question him.
He was arrested on a tram in nearby New Addington 75 minutes after the stabbing.
Elianne had been on her way to the Old Palace of John Whitgift private school when she was stabbed at 8.30am.
Medics fought to save her but she died 50 minutes after the attack.
Yesterday police and first responders laid flowers at a makeshift memorial outside the shopping centre.
The group of 18 cops stood silently with their heads bowed.
Det Chief Insp Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation, said: “My thoughts and the thoughts of my team are with Elianne’s family.
“This is a deeply upsetting time for them and we will do everything we can to support them.
“Our investigation continues and we are making good progress. We have recovered CCTV from the area and have spoken to a number of witnesses. Forensic scientists have also examined the scene.
“We are now confident Elianne was attacked outside in Wellesley Road near to the bus stop rather than onboard the bus.”
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Anthony King, from the My Ends community group, said: “We have tried hard over the last few years to reduce knife crime. We won’t stop until we can get rid of this.
“A child’s life hasn’t even started at 15.”
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