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The mother of a ‘truly lovely’ schoolgirl who was stabbed to death in a sleepy rural town says she can never thank her daughter’s boyfriend enough ‘for trying to save my little girl’.
Enthusiastic dancer Holly Newton, 15, died of stab wounds after she and her boyfriend, 16, were attacked in Hexham, Northumberland, on Friday afternoon.
A 16-year-old boy was charged yesterday with his murder and attempted murder of the boy. He is due to appear in Newcastle Magistrate Court this morning.
Yesterday Holly’s mother, Micala Trussler, responded to a Facebook post from the injured boy’s older brother, saying: ‘Holly was so excited about her new relationship with her brother! I can never thank you enough for trying to save my girl.
Holly Newton, 15, died of knife wounds after she and her boyfriend, 16, were attacked in Hexham, Northumberland, on Friday afternoon.
Keen dancer Holly was described as “quiet, conscientious, helpful and kind” by her school.
A family member of the injured boy said he was recovering in hospital after a 2.5-hour operation on Saturday. They said, ‘It’s so tragic that Holly died that way. It seems that he did everything possible to protect her from her.
Among those who laid flowers at the scene yesterday was a worker at a pizza parlor next to the alley where the stabbing occurred.
The man, who did not want to be named, recounted how the injured boy had come into the store with a neck wound, pleading for help. ‘I tried to save her but I failed,’ he said.
A local, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I was sitting across the street and the police arrived on the scene immediately. They handcuffed a boy and put him in the van and then two ambulances arrived.
A message on the flowers left at the scene by Holly’s mother and stepfather, Lee Trussler, reads: “To our baby Holly, our hearts ache so much at this time.” we love you so much.’ Mrs Trussler, 33, a hospitality manager for nearby Haltwhistle, was too upset to comment.
Holly was a student at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School in Hexham. She said: “We are devastated by the loss of Holly, a truly lovely student who was calm, conscientious, helpful and kind.”
Kerry Whitfield, owner of Lightning Dance Academy in Consett, which Holly attended, said: “It’s a shock. Holly was at a dance practice on Thursday night. She was a lovely girl, always helpful in class with a great sense of of humour.’
In 2021, Hexham was named the happiest place to live in the UK by property website Rightmove.
A message on the flowers left at the scene by Holly’s mother and stepfather, Lee Trussler, reads: “To our baby Holly, our hearts ache so much at this time.” we love you so much’
Search specialist team conducts their on-scene investigation
A friend said on Facebook: “It’s such a cruel world we live in. It makes me so sad that you were taken away at such a young age.”
A candle lighting service was held at Hexham Abbey so that people could pay tribute to Holly, who lived in Haltwhistle, a market town about 15 miles west of Hexham.
Family and friends have laid messages, wreaths and teddy bears outside the Halifax bank at Priestpopple in Hexham, in a moving tribute.
A message left by a loved one reads: ‘All our love to the most beautiful girl in the world. We will miss you forever Holly’.
Another read: ‘To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt a lot right now. we love you so much.’
A GoFundMe page has been set up in Holly’s memory, with donations surpassing her £3,000 target in less than a day.
Northumbria Police officers were called just after 5:10pm on Friday to a report of an injured teenage boy and girl in the Priestpopple area of Hexham.
In a statement, the force said: “Holly still had a lot to look forward to in life, and this tragic incident has left her family devastated beyond words.”
Our thoughts are with the families involved and their loved ones as we continue to support them in any way we can.
One tribute read: ‘To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt a lot right now. we love you so much.’ Pictured: Tributes left at the scene last night
A message left by a loved one reads: ‘All our love to the most beautiful girl in the world. We will miss you forever Holly’. Pictured: Tributes left at the site
Family and friends laid messages, wreaths and teddy bears in memory of Holly Olivia
“The investigation is ongoing and we would like to thank the people in Hexham, and beyond, who have been very helpful with our investigations and have shown their support.
“While our investigations continue, we believe that everyone involved knows each other and there is no increased risk to the public.
“Officers will remain in the area for the next several days, and we encourage anyone with concerns to speak with them directly.”
Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison of Northumbria Police said it was “tragic news”.
At a press conference on Saturday, he said: “First of all, our hearts go out to his loved ones at this truly devastating time.”
Friends and family have described Holly Olivia as a ‘beautiful’ girl who loved to dance.
A 16-year-old boy who was also injured during the incident remains at the hospital in stable condition.
He and his family are also very much in our thoughts. An investigation was immediately launched and although it is in the early stages, we believe that all involved know each other.
‘We would like to thank the public for their continued support and cooperation.
“In particular, those who tried to provide assistance to the injured boy and girl on the scene yesterday.”
Derek Kennedy, Mayor of Hexham, said: ‘The whole town is still coming to terms with this, it’s been a huge shock.
“I was at Hexham Abbey where they held a service for Holly, I lit a candle like other people did to pay tribute.
‘A girl just starting life and going to the local high school, starting her education and coming out, she’s just terrible, as a people we pay tribute to her.
‘It’s going to have a huge impact on all the schoolchildren when they return on Monday because one of their own is never coming back.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police via the ‘Tell us something’ page on the Northumbria Police website or by calling 101 quoting register NP-20230127-0795.