Chloe Watson Dransfield, 16, was stabbed to death on Saturday morning, March 28. She was found unconscious and unresponsive in Kennerleigh Avenue, Austhorpe, Leeds, at around 6 a.m. that day, and police have launched a murder investigation. Chloe suffered stab wounds to her back and was pronounced dead in hospital after being taken by paramedics. Neighbors attempted to save her before she was pronounced dead.
Four people, two women aged 18, a man aged 20, and a boy aged 17, were all arrested from a nearby address on suspicion of murder. All arrested individuals are from Leeds. Kayla Smith, 18, Archie Rycroft, 19, and a 17-year-old boy have been charged with murder and appeared in court. The court scheduled a provisional trial for November 10 and a pre-trial hearing for May 1.
Chloe is believed to have attended a party at Kayla Smith's bungalow before the attack. She messaged a friend asking to be picked up shortly before being attacked. A GoFundMe page raised over £11,000 for Chloe's funeral, and floral tributes were left at the scene in Kennerleigh Avenue.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle is leading the investigation. Police appealed for information and mobile phone footage related to the incident. Anyone who can assist in the investigation was asked to call 101, or use the live chat options at westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting log 280 of 28 March. Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
Chloe was from Gomersal, West Yorkshire, and had recently secured a college placement to study hair and beauty.
In a separate incident, a 14-year-old boy was shot dead in Woolwich, London, on April 2. Three teenagers, aged 14, 16, and 18, were arrested on suspicion of murder in the London shooting. The victim in the London shooting was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers were called to Kennerleigh Avenue, Austhorpe, at 5:55 a.m. on Saturday to reports of a young woman being found unconscious. She suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for medical treatment, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. The victim remains unidentified and inquiries are ongoing to identify her. Detectives are releasing details of her identity in the hope that someone will recognise her. She is of slim build and has tanned skin, described as 5ft 2ins tall and believed to be in her mid to late teens, with green eyes and brown hair with darker roots and blonder ends. She has fixed metal braces to her upper and lower teeth.
All four remain in police custody. A crime scene is in place while officers carry out further inquiries.
The exact motive for Chloe's murder has not been disclosed, and the specific evidence that led to the arrests and charges remains unclear. It is unknown whether the arrests in the London shooting are connected to Chloe's case. The current status of the unidentified victim's identification process is ongoing, with police appealing for public assistance.