A teenager has been charged with the murder of schoolgirl Lainie Williams, 17, who was stabbed to death in her own bedroom by an intruder yesterday morning.
Cameron Cheng, 18, has today been charged with murder of Lainie and the attempted murder of a 38-year-old woman.
Lainie was found fatally wounded at her home in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, South Wales, shortly after 7am on Thursday, while her mother Rhian Stephens, 38, was left with serious injuries.
Cheng has been additionally charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place and is remanded to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 17.
The 18-year-old, who is a British national and was previously in a relationship with Lainie, remains in custody.
It is understood Lainie’s mother, Rhian, has now been discharged from hospital.
Relatives said the knifeman stabbed Ms Stephens, who was rushed to hospital, before running into Lainie’s bedroom, where she was sleeping.
College student Lainie, who had been looking forward to her forthcoming 18th birthday, died at the scene after trying to fight off her attacker.
In touching tributes today her family have described how the teenager was ‘so loved’.
Her cousin Megan wrote on social media: ‘There’s not enough words, rest peacefully our brave and beautiful cousin Lainie. Very fond childhood memories I’ll cherish forever.
Lainie Williams (pictured) was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident on Wheatley Place in the Cefn Fforest area of Blackwood, Gwent
Cameron Cheng, 18, has today been charged with the murder of Lainie Williams, with whom he was previously in a relationship, and the attempted murder of a 38-year-old woman
Police at the scene on Wheatley Place in the Cefn Fforest area of Blackwood, Gwent, on Thursday morning
‘You were and still are so loved.’
Meanwhile friends told of their devastation, with one writing: ‘No words. Rest in peace beautiful girl, I will cherish our memories as kids forever.’
A second added: ‘It was a pleasure to know you beautiful. Rest in Paradise.’
The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to go towards funeral costs.
Armed police were called to the family’s three-bedroom former council house in the village of Cefn Fforest. Paramedics arrived in an air ambulance but were sadly unable to save Lainie, and she was declared dead at the scene.
Cefn Fforest Councillor Shane Williams said: ‘We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the events that have unfolded.
‘As councillors, we’d like to do our best to reassure everyone, and our thoughts are with the family at this time.
‘We are all hoping for a full recovery for the woman who was hospitalised. Something like this is highly unusual in this area, and I can understand if many residents are now frightened.
Cheng, pictured with his family, has been additionally charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place. He has been remanded to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 17
Lainie’s mother, Rhian Stephens, 38, was rushed to hospital following the attack
Armed police were called to the family’s three-bedroom former council house in the village of Cefn Fforest, while paramedics arrived in an air ambulance but were unable to save Lainie
‘When a young girl loses her life like that, it’s quite horrendous.’
Independent Councillor Kevin Ethridge added: ‘As the local county councillor for Blackwood, I’d like to send my condolences to the family.’
Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend said: ‘We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this investigation.
‘It is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.
‘Even though we’ve reached this significant development in the investigation, our enquiries continue so it is likely that residents will continue to see officers in the area.
‘So if anyone has any information, please speak to our officers or contact us in the usual way.’
Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101, sending a direct message on social media or via the form on our website and quoting log reference 2500361653, or Crimestoppers anonymously.
