THE family of a 17-year-old girl murdered in her own home have described her as “brave and beautiful” after she tried to fight off a knifeman.
Lanie Williams was killed in her bedroom when a knife-wielding intruder stormed into her home shortly after 7.15am.
Lainie Williams, 17, was tragically pronounced dead at the sceneCredit: NS
Lainie was described as ‘brave and beautiful’ for trying to fight off a knifeman who also stabbed her motherCredit: WNS
A teenager was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after cops raided a homeCredit: media Wales
Police were called to a property in Cefn Forest, near Blackwood, South and discovered 17-year-old Lainie with multiple stab wounds.
The brave teen had tried to fight off the teenage knife attacker who also stabbed Lanie’s mother Rhian Stephens, 38.
Lainie’s devastated grandfather also claimed that she told her eight-year-old brother, who witnessed the horror, to hide under a bed in order to save him.
An 18-year-old man living five miles away – who was known to Lainie – is being held by police on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Now, heartfelt tributes have poured in for the schoolgirl after her tragic death.
Her cousin Megan wrote: “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.”
Dozens of friends and family members, including her grandmother Ceri, have since updated their Facebook profiles in tribute to Lanie.
Many now have a pink heart captioned “Lanie Williams, forever 17”, while others have a similar heart captioned: “Justice for Lanie.”
Another said: “No words. Rest in peace beautiful girl, I will cherish our memories as kids forever. Sending so much to my family.”
One woman wrote: “It was a pleasure to know you beautiful. Rest in Paradise.”
Police launched the murder investigation after getting a 999 report of two attacks at a pebble-dash semi-detached house in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, South Wales.
Lanie’s grandparents said the college student had tried to fight off her attacker which happened while her younger brother was also in the home.
They believed the knifeman waited for Rhian’s partner Clive Osborne to leave for work in the dark on Thursday morning before entering the home to attack.
Grandfather Robert Stephens said the attacker “lunged at Lainie with the knife and her mother heard her screams.”
Neighbours said they woke to the sounds of sirens, helicopters and banging doors at around 7.15am in an area known locally as the “Bull Ring”.
Heartbroken locals have been rocked by the tragedy and paid emotional tributes to Lainie.
One resident said: “Lainie was the loveliest, kindest person who had a lot of friends. The girls are in bits.”
Mother-of-two Rhian had lived in the semi-detached house for at least five years.
She was described as a “caring person but who kept herself to herself.”
Another 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.”
A Gwent Police spokesman said: “Officers, including firearms officers as a precaution, attended a property in Wheatley Place at around 7.15am on Thursday 13 November after reports that two people had sustained serious injuries.
“Paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service and Welsh Air Ambulance were in attendance.”
Lainie was pronounced dead at the scene in an area known locally as the Bull Ring and two police officers were stationed outside the house.
Police said: “Her family have been informed, and specially trained officers will be allocated to support them throughout the investigation.
Rhian was receiving treatment in hospital.
An 18-year-old man from nearby Newbridge was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
He is currently in police custody.
