Croydon stabbing victim Elianne Andam pictured as schoolgirl's pals pay tribute

A teenage girl who was stabbed to death outside a shopping centre has been pictured for the first time as her 'heartbroken' family pay tribute.

Elianne Andam, 15, died on Wednesday morning after she was allegedly attacked after getting off a bus in Croydon, South London. A 17-year-old boy was later arrested nearby and was still in custody on Thursday morning being questioned on suspicion of her murder.

The girl had been a student at the Old Palace of John Whitgift School, an independent girls' school in Croydon. Flowers and cards left at the scene since Wednesday morning paid tribute to the "much-loved" teenager, who was also described by one person who knew her as "absolutely incredible" with a "bright future" ahead of her.

Elianne's aunt spoke out on Thursday morning saying how her niece had "gone to school and not come home". The bright student and keen gymnast "wanted to be a lawyer", the aunt told The Mirror.

A handwritten note left at the scene was bagged as evidence - the letter writes 'I love you so so much and I [have] never met someone with a better smile and better eyes than what you have. Your [sic] special girl... princess.' (Getty Images)

Social media tributes have also been pouring in for the teen. One person wrote: "Can't begin to even imagine what the parents are going through right now, their whole world changed forever". Another wrote: "Rest in peace my dear - have a good time in heaven".

Mourners gather at purple-themed vigil to remember girl, 15, stabbed to death

Anthony King, chairman of My Ends - a project helping combat youth violence in Croydon, was with Elianne's family after the incident and said they were "heartbroken". "She had a bright future ahead of her," Mr King said. "She was in her GCSE year."

Mr King described the girl as an "absolutely incredible young lady" and told of how others said she was "jovial, very comedic". One of the cards left near to where the attack took place read: "Sorry we live in this crazy world this makes no sense. One read: "Fly high up there my mummy will look after you. RIP beautiful, forever young, taken too soon. Thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends, God bless."

Elianne Andam (Facebook)

Floral tributes at the scene in Croydon. (PA)

Another said: "Rest in peace little princess. So sad your life is taken away at your prime you have touched my soul." A police scene remained in place at Wellesley Road on Thursday as the investigation into the stabbing continued. A red double decker bus on route 60, three police vehicles and about a dozen officers, as well as a forensics tent, could be seen in the taped off area outside the Whitgift Centre.

A Met forensics team were seen bagging a handwritten note as evidence at the scene. The note, which had been scrawled on an envelope, read: "I love you so so much and I [have] never met someone with a better smile and better eyes than what you have. Your [sic] special girl... princess." It's not been confirmed who wrote the note.