Jodie Chesney's gran begs killer to hand himself in as family 'struggle to come to terms' with knifing
Teen Jodie was with friends at a children's play park in Romford on Friday when she was fatally stabbed in what pals said must have been a case of "mistaken identity".
Police have since launched a murder investigation into the brutal attack – appealing for anyone who may have seen two males hanging around the park or running from the scene on Friday night.
And writing on Facebook, devastated gran Debbie Chesney told friends: "We are all still trying to come to terms with it.
"Please just share the post in the hopes that the boy who did this or his friends or family have the decency to tell the police who he is."
The grieving woman had earlier written a tribute to Jodie, saying: "This was our youngest granddaughter. How have we come to this point where kids can’t have a walk in a park without suffering an unprovoked attack?
"If anyone knows anything about this please contact the police with information. We don’t want anyone else to go through what our family is suffering right now. This has to stop, there are too many young people having their lives cut short by needless violence."
Jodie Chesney was stabbed in a children's play park in Harold Hill near Romford, Essex on Friday night – hours before a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in Hale, Cheshire.
Please just share the post in the hopes that the boy who did this or his friends or family have the decency to tell the police who he is
Tributes were today left where Jodie tragically lost her life, with boyfriend Eddie Coyle, who cradled her in his arms as she lay dying, leaving an emotional message to the young woman.
A card attached to railings yards from where they spent their last moments together reads: “Jodie you are the best thing that could have happened in my life. I will love you always and you will forever be in my heart beautiful.”
Grim 2019 death toll hits 21
The killings of Jodie Chesney and Yousef Makki mean there have been at least 21 fatal stabbings in Britain in 2019.
The youngest victim — Jaden Moodie — was just 14 when he was killed in East London in January
JAN 1: Tudor Simionov, 33, in Park Lane, Mayfair, London; Charlotte Huggins, 33, in Camberwell, South London
JAN 4: Lee Pomeroy, 51, on train near Horsley, Surrey
JAN 8: Jaden Moodie, 14, in Leyton, East London
JAN 27: Kamil Malysz, 34, in Acton, West London
JAN 29: Nedim Bilgin, 17, in Islington, North London; Lajean Richards, 19, in Battersea, South London
FEB 8: Aliny Mendes, 39, in Cheam, Surrey
FEB 10: Dennis Anderson, 39, in East Dulwich, South London
FEB 17: Mohammed Sidali, 16, in Highgate, Birmingham
FEB 18: Bright Akinleye, 22, in Euston, London
FEB 20: Abdullah Muhammad, 16, in Small Heath, Birmingham
FEB 21: Glendon Spence, 23, in Brixton, North London
FEB 23: Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck, 19, in Wood Green, North London; Phillip Rooney, 32, in Leigh, near Wigan
FEB 25: David Lopez- Fernandez, 38, in Bethnal Green, East London; Connor Brown, 18, in Sunderland; Hazrat Umar, 17, in Bordesley Green, Birmingham
MAR 1: Jodie Chesney, 17, in Romford, Essex
MAR 2: Yousef Ghaleb Makki, 17, in Hale Barns, Gtr Manchester; woman, 50, in Barnet, North London
Last night pals of the bright A-level student said she was knifed in the back by a gang of unknown youths wearing balaclavas who “didn’t say a word” as they struck.
Jodie’s devastated schoolfriend Lucy Elkin said: “They were just sat there talking and joking, minding their own business. I don’t even think they were drinking.
“The men just walked up behind her and stabbed her in the back senselessly before running away.
“Not a word was said. Nobody knows who they are. They’re not from around here.
“It was completely unprovoked. Everyone is in pieces and can’t process what’s happened or why.”
Another friend said Jodie and Eddie were the “most normal kids ever” and a “world away” from gangs or knives.
The detective leading the investigation into Jodie's death, DCI Dave Whellams, said: "I am appealing for any witnesses who have yet to speak with police to call me. There has been excellent support from the local community and a number of people have shared information with police, but there will be other witnesses and people with information that may prove crucial.
"Although the description of the suspect is limited, I am certain that people will have seen the two males hanging around the park or running away from the scene – or will otherwise have noticed something suspicious. I need those people to call me."
Anyone with information should call the HMCC Incident Room on 020 8345 3775, Tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Source: Read Full Article