‘In full shock’ after Holly Olivia, 15, was stabbed to death in ‘Britain’s happiest place’ as boy, 16, injured and teenager arrested

The fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old girl on Friday night has sent shockwaves through a city dubbed “Britain’s happiest place”.

Heartfelt tributes have been drawn following the death of the teenager, known locally as Holly Newton, aka Holly Olivia, as a 16-year-old boy remains incarcerated on suspicion of murder.

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Holly and another 16-year-old boy were stabbed to death just after 5pm in the Priestpopple area of ​​Hexham, Northumberland.

Hexham Mayor Derek Kennedy said: “It is an absolute tragedy, the town is in shock, to lose one of our children who is attending a local high school is just appalling.

“Parents are really concerned about the health of their children because they are all part of this community, the schools are all really concerned that their children are really feeling the pain and suffering and shock of such a horrific incident.

“In the community of Hexham we generally have a very low crime rate, it’s a community that cares about each other, we were named the happiest place to live in the UK last year.

“It’s a very warm and loving community so we always find it that much harder when a tragedy like this happens and it blew everyone away for six.

“To have a person so young and the alleged perpetrator who is a young person to happen on the main street at 5pm is just shocking everyone is just shocked and struggling to come to terms with it will ruin so many lives.”

A GoFundMe page to raise money in Holly’s memory has been set up.

It only calls her as Holly Olivia.

The page reads: “As many of you know, unfortunately Holly lost her life to knife crimes yesterday.

“We are trying to raise as much money as we can to take the stress out of the family at this sad time.

“Holly was a beautiful 15 year old who loved to dance and will be sorely missed.”

By Sunday morning the target of £3,000 had been reached.

The 16-year-old boy with Holly suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and is in hospital in stable condition.

Do you know more? Email sarah.grealish@the-sun.co.uk, phone 020 7782 4100 or WhatsApp 07423 720 250

An investigation was launched immediately and another 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He is currently in police custody.

Emotional tributes to the girl were left at the scene of the crime.

Flowers and messages were laid on the ground near the site of the alleged attack.

One mourner wrote: “All our love for the most beautiful girl in the world. We will miss you forever, Holly.”

Another heartbreaking card read: “Love, Holly. The best big sister in the world.”

Meanwhile, a third devastated loved one said: “To our baby Holly. Our hearts are hurting so much right now. We love you so much.”

Other tributes included one stating that the young girl was “taken too soon.”

Speaking at a press conference, Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison, Area Commander for Northumberland and North Tyneside of Northumbria Police said: “At this truly devastating time our hearts go first and foremost to their loved ones.

“A 16-year-old boy who was also injured in the incident is in stable condition in hospital.

“He and his family are also in our thoughts.

“An investigation was launched immediately and although this is at a very early stage we believe everyone involved is aware of each other.

“We would like to thank the public for their continued support and cooperation.

“Especially those who tried to help the injured boy and girl at the scene yesterday.”

The Chief Superintendent previously said: “A young girl has sadly passed away leaving her family indescribably devastated.

“Another boy was also seriously injured.

“We are determined to find out exactly what happened and bring everyone involved to justice.

“A full investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident is underway.

“We have arrested a teenager in connection with the incident and officers remain in the area to conduct a range of inquiries and provide community security.

“Although our investigation is at an early stage, we believe all parties involved are aware of each other.”

She added: “We would like to thank the public for their continued support and cooperation and ask people not to speculate on the details of the investigation.

“What may seem to you like an innocent post on social media could in fact disrupt an ongoing investigation and further anger the victims’ families.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police via the Tell Us Something page on our website or by calling 101 at NP-20230127-0795.

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