Brianna Gay’s stabbing may have been a transgender hate crime, police say

Brianna Gay, 16, was stabbed to death Saturday at Culchet Linear Park, near Warrington - Chris Neal

Brianna Gay, 16, was stabbed to death Saturday at Culchet Linear Park, near Warrington – Chris Neal

Police said the murder of a 16-year-old girl in Cheshire Park may have been a transgender hate crime.

Brianna Gay was stabbed to death on Saturday at Culchet Linear Park near Warrington. Currently, a 15-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy have been detained on suspicion of murder.

Senior Police Superintendent Mike Evans of Cheshire Police initially called the stabbing a “targeted attack” and said they did not believe she was killed because she was transgender.

However, in a statement Tuesday afternoon, the force said it was looking into all avenues of investigation, “including whether it was a hate crime.”

Asked if the forces classified the attack as a possible hate crime because the schoolgirl was transgender, the spokesman said they were “not ruling out anything” and were “carrying out all lines of investigation”.

Detectives continue to trace the weapons used in the attack. The force said in a statement: “All lines of investigation are being explored, including whether this was a hate crime.”

Brianna Gay - Pennsylvania

Brianna Gay – Pennsylvania

It is understood that Brianna, who was well known for her popular videos on the social media platform TikTok, was born a boy but lived as a girl for months before her death.

Detectives investigating her alleged murder were granted a 30-hour extension on Tuesday to further question the two suspects.

Trans rights activists have criticized the Home Office’s current decision to classify Brianna as a boy on her death certificate.

Because she was under 18, Brianna would not have been able to obtain a gender recognition certificate or change her gender legally.

A policeman stands next to flowers at the entrance to Linear Park - Christopher Furlong

A policeman stands next to flowers at the entrance to Linear Park – Christopher Furlong

Trans Safety Network, a charity that advocates for greater protection for transgender people, said in a statement: “The death of Brianna Gay was a tragedy and we are saddened to have to discuss her death certificate at all.

“Trans people deserve dignity and respect in life and death. This includes ensuring that their death certificate does not ignore their identity.

“It’s disappointing that the UK government continues to let down transgender people, including Brianna.”

Robbie De Santos, Director of Communications and External Relations at Stonewall, said: “Transgender people deserve dignity in life and in death.

“Gender recognition certificates do not affect access to space, but instead allow transgender people to remain in the field in which they and their loved ones knew them. Respect and dignity is what we should want for all people.”

Police medical examiners arrive at the scene where Brianna Gay, 16, was found with multiple stab wounds - Getty Images Europe

Police medical examiners arrive at the scene where Brianna Gay, 16, was found with multiple stab wounds – Getty Images Europe

On Tuesday, schoolchildren and local residents left dozens of bouquets of flowers at the entrance to the park. Officers with sniffer dogs patrolled the park, which remained cordoned off to the public.

One mother laying flowers at the entrance to the park said her daughter was “shocked” by the stabbing. She said: “She [Brianna] was a trans girl – each to their own, they should be free to be who they want to be.

The woman, who asked not to be named, added: “It shocked my daughter. It’s really hard for adults to understand, let alone for kids, especially when she knows who’s involved.”

Brianna Gay's friends leave flowers near the scene - CHRIS NEAL

Brianna Gay’s friends leave flowers near the scene – CHRIS NEAL

Three women dressed in black also placed a bouquet of red flowers with a postcard addressed to Brianna’s school, Birchwood Community High.

The inscription on the card with flowers read: “You were strong and passionate, we will miss you.”

Brianna’s candlelight vigils are taking place across the UK Tuesday evening and over the coming days. The organizers hold celebrations in Liverpool and Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds. Additional events are planned in Aberdeen, Reading, Plymouth, Brighton, Belfast, London and York.

Donations to a GoFundMe crowdfunding page set up for Brianna’s family, which said the schoolgirl is “looking forward to taking her exams this year”, have topped £70,000 since it was launched on Monday.

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