The heartbroken family of a schoolgirl who was stabbed to death in her own bedroom while trying to fight off an alleged intruder have paid tribute to the ‘brave and beautiful’ teenager.
Lainie Williams, 17, was found fatally wounded at her home in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, South Wales, shortly after 7.15am on Thursday, while her mother Rhian Stephens, 38, was left with serious injuries.
Armed police later arrested an 18-year-old man in nearby Newbridge on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Living five miles from Lainie, he is said to be known to her and detectives have confirmed they are not looking for anyone else. He remains in police custody.
The alleged attacker is said to have waited for Ms Stephens’ boyfriend to leave the house for work before letting himself into the property through an open door in the morning.
Relatives said the knifeman stabbed Ms Stephens, who was airlifted to hospital, before running into Lainie’s bedroom, where she was sleeping.
College student Lainie, who had been looking forward to her forthcoming 18th birthday, died at the scene after trying to fight off her attacker.
In touching tributes today her family have described how the teenager was ‘so loved’.
Her cousin Megan wrote on social media: ‘There’s not enough words, rest peacefully our brave and beautiful cousin Lainie. Very fond childhood memories I’ll cherish forever.
‘You were and still are so loved.’
Meanwhile friends told of their devastation, with one writing: ‘No words. Rest in peace beautiful girl, I will cherish our memories as kids forever.’
A second added: ‘It was a pleasure to know you beautiful. Rest in Paradise.’
The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to go towards funeral costs.
Lainie’s great-grandmother, Florence Jones, 78, previously told how brave Lainie fought for her life after the man allegedly broke into their home and attacked her while she lay asleep.
After hearing her screams, her eight-year-old brother came out of his room but Ms Stephens told him to get back inside and hide under the bed.
Ms Jones said: ‘Her mother said Lainie put up a fantastic fight against him.
‘I’m in total shock, she was a lovely bubbly girl. She lived with me for the last few years, I can’t believe what’s happened. Things like this don’t happen in our family.’
The alleged attacker was seen outside the house without a shirt on at 5.30am on Thursday.
He is said to have waited for Ms Stephen’s boyfriend, Clive Osborne, to leave for work at 7am, then let himself in through an open door and went upstairs to where Lainie was sleeping.
Her grandfather Robert Stephens said: ‘He lunged at Lainie with the knife and her mother heard her screams.
‘Lainie’s brother Carter came out of his room and Rhian told him to get back in and hide under the bed.’
Armed police were called to the family’s three-bedroom former council house in the village of Cefn Fforest. Paramedics arrived in an air ambulance but were sadly unable to save Lainie, and she was declared dead at the scene.
Injured Ms Stephens’s mother Ceri was at her bedside in hospital last night while little Carter was being looked after by his father.
Neighbours, who said they woke to the sounds of sirens, helicopters and banging doors, described Lainie as ‘the loveliest person’.
Local Michelle Davies said: ‘It is terrible. That poor girl had everything to live for and now she is gone.
‘At least the mother survived but she will never get over what she witnessed.’
Mother-of-two Ms Stephens had lived in the semi-detached house for at least five months.
She is described as a ‘caring person, but who kept herself to herself.’
Another neighbour added: ‘Lainie was the loveliest, kindest person who had a lot of friends. The girls are in bits.’
One local said they were awoken by the sounds of helicopters landing near his home before seeing ‘chaos’ outside.
He said: ‘It’s usually a very quiet area, you don’t expect something like this to happen on your doorstep.’
Detective Superintendent Philip O’Connell, the senior investigating officer for Gwent Police, confirmed the force is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident
He said: ‘We understand that reports of this nature can be concerning, and it is likely that residents will see an increased number of officers in the area while we carry out further inquires.
‘If anyone has any information, please speak to our officers or contact us in the usual way.’
Cefn Fforest Councillor Shane Williams said: ‘We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the events that have unfolded, and I understand that the police are not looking for anyone else in connection.
‘But as councillors, we’d like to do our best to reassure everyone, and our thoughts are with the family at this time.
‘We are all hoping for a full recovery for the woman who was hospitalised. Something like this is highly unusual in this area, and I can understand if many residents are now frightened.
‘When a young girl loses her life like that, it’s quite horrendous.’
Independent Councillor Kevin Ethridge added: ‘As the local county councillor for Blackwood, I’d like to send my condolences to the family.’
Police said that anyone with information can get in touch via 101 or send a message on social media and quote log reference 2500361653. Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
