The family of a 16-year-old girl who died after being stabbed in Leeds have described themselves as “utterly devastated” in an emotional tribute.
Chloe Watson Dransfield from Gomersal was found with serious injuries on Kennerleigh Avenue in Austhorpe at around 6am on Saturday.
She later died in hospital.
West Yorkshire Police have now made five arrests, with a 17-year-old boy detained on suspicion of murder on Monday.
He joins four others in custody: two women aged 18, a 19-year-old man, and another 17-year-old boy.
All five suspects are from Leeds.
A tribute from Chloe’s father and other family members said: “We miss every single thing about her. She was beautiful, full of joy, and had a wonderfully cheeky personality.”
“She embraced life with such happiness, and she had her whole future ahead of her. Chloe was loved by everyone who knew her, and the absence she leaves behind is immeasurable.”
Tributes were left on Kennerleigh Avenue on Monday after Chloe’s death
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“We will miss her forever, she will never be forgotten. Love you always and forever, Dad, Sacha, Reuben, Mia, Amelia, Grandma, Grandad and Uncle Jordan.”
Her mother issued a separate statement, describing Chloe as her “beautiful princess.”
“You are my life, my world, my best friend and I know that I am yours. I cannot live without you – I need you,” she said.
“You are stunning, confident, loyal, honest and my family-oriented princess,” her mother added.
‘She embraced life with such happiness, and she had her whole future ahead of her,’ the 16-year-old’s father said
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“When you walk into any room it lights up with your bubbly personality. There is so much I could say. There’s a big hole in my heart that can never be filled.”
A relative who established an online fundraising page wrote that Chloe’s “life was sadly taken in tragedy, 16 years young, didn’t even make it to her 18th, her whole life was taken in a flash over a boy.”
The appeal had raised more than £13,000 by Monday evening.
Local resident Gillian Brook, whose granddaughter is the same age, said: “My heart goes out to her family and everybody who knew her. It’s devastating.”
A fundraising page has been set up for Chloe’s family
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Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with Chloe’s family at this incredibly difficult time. Our specially trained officers continue to provide them with support.”
“Our investigation into her death is ongoing and five people arrested on suspicion of murder remain in custody, as we continue to establish the full circumstances of this incident.”
Police are urging anyone with information to contact them on 101 or via the live chat function at westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting log 280 of March 28.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their website.
