Candlelit vigils held for trans teenager Brianna Ghey following fatal park stabbing

14 February 2023, 20:56 | Updated: 15 February 2023, 01:03

Candlelit vigils are being held for Brianna Grey, who was found stabbed to death in a park on Saturday, with further events in tribute to teenager planned across the country.
Candlelit vigils are being held for Brianna Grey, who was found stabbed to death in a park on Saturday, with further events in tribute to teenager planned across the country. Picture: Alamy / Getty / Twitter/@WasARiot

By Chris Samuel

Candlelit vigils have been held for trans girl Brianna Grey, who was stabbed to death in a Warrington park.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Dozens of events in tribute to Brianna are taking place between tonight and Sunday, including gatherings in Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol on Tuesday, with others taking place in cities and towns across the UK in the coming days.

The vigils for Brianna, who was transgender, are being organised by action groups and members and allies of LGBTQIA communities.

A map created by Stonewall Was A Riot shows where they're happening, including London, Birmingham, Reading, Brighton, Belfast, and York.

Sharing information about their vigil, Norwich Trans Pride tweeted: "We are angry and we are heartbroken. For the loss of a sweet girl, for the media stripping her of her dignity.

Read more: Officers investigating fatal stabbing of teenager Brianna Ghey given extra time to question suspects

Read more: 'Rolex rippers' caught after bungling watch robbers leave phone in car and pose with stolen timepieces

"For all the trans youth across the world struggling with the same fears and violence, fighting for their dreams and futures."

Pride in Surrey said: "Please join one of our candlelit vigils on Wednesday 15th February in #Woking and #Guildford, in memory of Brianna Ghey.

Placards from the vigil at College Green in Bristol city centre.
Placards from the vigil at College Green in Bristol city centre. Picture: Alamy

"Vigils will both take place from 7pm. Candles will be supplied, but feel free to bring your own."

Notts LGBT Network wrote: "Join the Nottingham LGBT+ community in mourning the loss of Brianna Ghey, one of our own taken too soon.

"We will be meeting at the Brian Clough Statue at 7pm on Friday 17th February for a moment of silence and solidarity."

A map created by Stonewall Was a Riot shows where all the events in remembrance of Brianna are happening.
A map created by Stonewall Was a Riot shows where all the events in remembrance of Brianna are happening. Picture: Twitter / @WasARiot

On Tuesday officers investigating the Brianna's death were given more time to question two teenage suspects arrested on suspicion of her murder.

Cheshire Police also said it was keeping all lines of enquiry open, including whether or not Brianna was the victim of a hate crime.

Brianna, from Warrington, Cheshire, was found wounded on a path in Linear Park in Culcheth, Cheshire, on Saturday at around 3pm on Saturday.

Brianna Ghey vigil

Emergency services were called but she died at the scene.

A boy and girl, both of whom are 15 years old and from the local area, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are in police custody.

Detectives have been granted an extension of 30 hours to further question the two suspects.

Brianna, from Warrington, Cheshire, was found wounded on a path in Linear Park in Culcheth, Cheshire, on Saturday at around 3pm on Saturday.

People attend a candlelit vigil in in Liverpool.
People attend a candlelit vigil in in Liverpool. Picture: Getty

A spokesperson for the force said: "All lines of enquiry are being explored, including whether this was a hate crime."

"Please continue to avoid speculation online and be wary of sharing misinformation relating to this case."

Police had previously said that there was "no evidence" to suggest that the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death were hate-related.

In a tribute on Monday, Brianna's family said she was "a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. She was a larger than life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her.

Candlelit vigils are being held across the UK this week for the teenager.
Candlelit vigils are being held across the UK this week for the teenager. Picture: Getty

"Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind.

"The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.

"We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support during this extremely difficult time. We would like to thank the police for their support, and witnesses for helping with the investigation.

A candle-lit vigil at College Green in Bristol city centre.
A candle-lit vigil at College Green in Bristol city centre. Picture: Alamy

"The continuation of respect for privacy is greatly appreciated."

Emma Mills, headteacher at Brianna's school Birchwood Community High School, said: "We are shocked and truly devastated to hear of the death of Brianna.

"This is understandably a very difficult and distressing time for many, and we will do our utmost to support our pupils and wider school community."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Chickens, poultry, on free-range chicken farm

Tens of thousands of birds culled at farm after suspected bird flu case

ynthia Erivo attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2025 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 16, 2025 in London, England.

Stars stun on the red carpet at 2025 BAFTAs

The head of Ofsted said children in England feel going to school is optional since the pandemic, as their parents opt to work from home instead of going to the office.

Parents working from home makes kids not want to go to school, Ofsted chief says

Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal arrives at Molinuex

Millionaire Premier League star earning £150k a week loses HMRC court battle over hundreds of thousands in unpaid tax

Actress Kim Sae-ron attends 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards at Asia World-Expo on December 1, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

South Korean ‘Bloodhounds’ and ‘The Man from Nowhere’ star Kim Sae-ron found dead at 24

Emergency services were called just after 7pm on Friday amid reports a woman had suffered serious injuries

'Screaming, shouting, crying': Landlady breaks silence after woman shot dead at village pub - as manhunt continues

Exclusive
Jonathan Reynolds told LBC’s Iain Dale that NATO is ‘a highly effective integrated defensive structure’, and that US requests for higher European spending on the alliance are ‘not unreasonable’.

Europe must ‘work closely’ with US to face Russia, Business Sec tells LBC ahead of emergency Ukraine summit

.T. Miller #10 of Team USA and Colton Parayko #55 of Team Canada fight during the first period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at the Bell Centre on February 15, 2025

Gloves off: Three fights in first nine seconds as USA beat Canada to reach 4 Nations ice hockey final

Exclusive
Europe must boost defence spending if it wants peace, Ukraine's former PM has told LBC.

‘If you want peace, pay for it', says ex-Ukrainian PM as Starmer to 'overrule' Reeves and boost defence spending

Lucy Letby was ‘shocked and distressed’ during the investigation into the deaths of babies that she was later found guilty of murdering, and ‘deserves an Oscar’ if she was lying, her former boss said.

Lucy Letby was 'innocent', distressed and ‘deserves an Oscar if she was acting’ says former boss

Jockey Michael O'Sullivan at Ascot Racecourse. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2024.

Cheltenham-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan dies aged just 24 after fall in race

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Meets With Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves At Downing Street

Starmer to 'overrule' Reeves and call for increased defence spending ahead of meeting with Donald Trump

images shared on social media show police arresting a man following the attack.

'Laughing' Syrian asylum seeker who stabbed boy, 14, to death was motivated by 'Islamic terrorism'

Axel Rudakubana has been jailed for 52 years.

FBI joins investigation into Southport killer amid claims he wiped internet search history

Heavy Rush In Trains For Last Amrit Snan On Prayagraj Kumbh

At least 15 dead in train station stampede in New Delhi

Pope Francis Attends The Weekly General Audience on Wednesday.

Pope Francis to miss Sunday prayer due to 'absolute rest' order after bronchitis diagnosis