Transgender teen sent mum eight-word text day she was killed, court hears

RECAP Day of Brianna Ghey murder trial

Today was the third day of the Brianna Ghey murder trial.

Proceedings have been wrapped up now at Manchester Crown Court, and are due to restart tomorrow morning at 10am.

Today heard from ten witnesses, including a statement from Brianna's mum, Esther, and from a number of locals who were present at the park and allegedly saw the three teens before the horrific stabbing.

Boy Y and Girl X continue to deny responsibility for the murder, instead pointing the finger at one another.

Read below to catch up in full.

Proceedings continue on day four tomorrow (MEN Media)

Proceedings adjourned for today

Proceedings have been adjourned for today, and will continue tomorrow, November 30, beginning at 10am.

Witnesses felt 'uneasy', wondered if Brianna was 'okay' after seeing her in park

Christina Bohuslaw, her partner John Dagger and their three kids were out walking in Culcheth Linear Park on the afternoon of February 11 when they passed Brianna, Boy Y and Girl X.

They were "playing hide-and-seek and other games" when they saw the three teens. As tey walked past, Christina described feeling "uneasy" and said she wondered if Brianna was okay. The court heard she said: "As I walked past, I felt really uneasy. There seemed to be silence in the park. There was no one else about. It appeared they were not talking and not interacting.

"The female [believed to be Brianna] just looked out of place. I did wonder if she was ok. It was an unusual place for her to be dressed like that. I wondered if they were smoking cannabis and waiting for us to pass."

Death fears for Emmerdale's Sarah as teen rushed to A&E after exposing secret

Teenage schoolgirl Brianna Ghey (MEN Media)

Witness confronted Girl X after seeing news reports on Brianna's death

One witness, who walked past Girl X in Linear Park, saw the news of Brianna's tragic death and repeatedly tried to call and message the defendant, asking her what had happened.

The woman, who had been on a walkw ith her friends and her son, recalled seeing Girl X "walking towards the car park of the Linear Park. She passed me with another female and a male. As they were walking past, there was no conversation with me or my friends. I don’t think Girl X recognised me. They were all walking together. I didnt notice if anyone was carrying anything."

Later on, she saw an article naming Brianna as having died. She recognised the picture and messaged Girl X saying: "Is that your mate who got hurt who you was with yesterday in the skirt? I saw youse down Linear. Her face looks familiar.”

Girl X replied: "No, I was out with my friends Boy Y and Brianna and Brianna was with us for like 15 minutes then ditched us to meet some lad it wouldn’t have been her she said she was going Manchester."

The woman then tried calling Girl X, but she did not answer. She followed up by sending a screenshot of an article in the Manchester Evening News and messages saying: "She’s passed away. She got stabbed Do you know the guy who she went and met? Who’s the boy?"

The witness tried to call Girl X again, but again received no answer. She then called the police. Girl X replied later saying: "Yes, that’s her. I’m going to talk to the police about her soon. She just said he was 17 with a car, from Manchester."

The woman asked if Brianna had met the man online, and Girl X said: "I think so. I don’t know anything about him. She always talks to loads of people online. She said she was meeting some lad. I asked who. She kept saying none of your business."

Police at Culcheth Linear Park, Warrington, shortly after Brianna was stabbed to death (MEN Media)

Brianna, Boy Y and Girl X seen on Ring doorbell in last footage of all three together

In the moments leading up to the alleged attack that took Brianna's life, her and the two defendants, Boy Y and Girl X, were captured on a Ring doorbell, heading towards the park where she was stabbed 28 times.

This is the last footage of all three of them together as they walked from a residential area and into an alleway that led to Culchecth Linear Park.

Detective Constable Chris Orme said that by chance: "a lady had come out of her house and activated her camera at the same time".

The footage showed them entering an alleyway which ran "between the back gardens of houses in the area" and towards the park.

Police at Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire, where Brianna was stabbed to death earlier this year (MEN Media)

Witness recognised Brianna on TikTok

During day three of the murder trial of Brianna Ghey, a number of witnesses have been called before the jury.

One of them, Sandra Hales, was out walking with her husband on the day the teenager was killed. She said she saw three teenagers walking in Culcheth Linear Park, near Warrington, Cheshire.

Ms Hales said she recognised Girl X as she passed, but her and Boy Y made no eye contact and were looking downwards.

But she said that the other female, thought to be Brianna, did make eye contact and smiled. Later, after hearing of the incident, she found Brianna's TikTok account and recognised her as from the park earlier. She said the account had a "considerable number of followers".

She added: "I immediately recognised her as the female I had seen earlier in Linear who smiled as she walked past me in the company of (Girl X) and the unknown male."

Brianna, 16 was stabbed 28 times at Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire, on February 11 this year (MEN Media)

Witness described Brianna and defendants as 'normal teenagers' who were 'talking and laughing'

The two defendants met Brianna at a bus stop on the day of her death and walked to Culcheth Linear Park.

Jurors have been shown drone footage of the area to show the route they took.

A statement was read on behalf of Rachel Powell, whose son is the partner of Esther Ghey, Brianna's mother.

She said she was driving in Culcheth on February 11 and noticed Brianna walking on the pavement with two people.

She said she only saw them for a 'couple of seconds' and was paying attention to Brianna, due to her being a family member.

Ms Powell said she regarded them as being 'normal teenagers' who were 'talking and laughing'.

She said that 'nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary'.

As she was approaching a mini roundabout by the Thai Paragon restaurant, she says: “I noticed Brianna walking on a path with two other people. The three of them were walking from the direction of Sainsburys car park toward the Thai Paragon.

“I knew it was Brianna straight away. Person one, I would describe as a white female. She appeared to be the same age as Brianna. Person two I cannot provide any description. I cannot recall if they were male or female.

“Brianna was walking in the opposite direction to me. I only saw them for a couple of seconds. They appeared to be normal teenagers talking and laughing together. There was nothing out of the ordinary or anything that concerned me.”

Girl X watched 'favourite film' Sweeney Todd night before murder, jury hears

Girl X watched her "favourite film" Sweeney Todd for the "9,000th time" the night before the murder, the court has heard.

In messages sent on the evening of February 10, girl X asked boy Y which knife he would bring when they met Brianna.

He said: "The hunting knife I showed you in person as well as on the phone."

The girl asked if it would "definitely 100% kill her" and boy Y replied: "Yes."

She told him: "I've just put my favourite film on. I'm watching it for like the 9,000th time."

In the messages read to the court, girl X said the film was Sweeney Todd and told boy Y he should watch it.

She added: "He kills people with one of the sharpest blades in the world."

Girl X wanted to take 'one of Brianna's pretty eyes', court told

The court heard how in the lead up to Brianna's death, Girl X said in a message to Boy Y: "I don't want to wait, I just want her to die. I want to see pure horror on her face and hear her scream in pain."

Boy Y replied: "Really? All I wanted to see is what size d*** it had."

In another message, girl X said: " I really want one of its eyes. They have pretty eyes."

Earlier, the jury had heard how Girl X had become "obsessed" with Brianna initially before her fascination took a much darker turn.

Transgender teenager's eight-word text to her mum before she was killed

Teenager Brianna Ghey's final eight-word text to her mum before she was killed has been read out in court today..

The transgender student, 16, was found dead on February 11 in Culcheth Linear Park, near Warrington, Cheshire, having been stabbed 28 times. The defendants, a girl, 16, identified only as X, and a boy, 16, identified only as Y, were both aged 15 at the time. Both deny murder.

In the third day of the trial at Manchester Crown Court, jurors have heard a statement from Brianna's mum Esther Ghey. Read out by prosecutor Cheryl Mottram, Ms Ghey recalled how on the day she was killed, her daughter texted her saying: "I'm on the bus by myself, I'm scared."

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Photos show huge outpouring of grief for Brianna

Tributes were left at the scene of Brianna's murder in February - but vigils and other events were held across the country.

A vigil at St George's Hall in Liverpool, in memory of 16-year-old schoolgirl Brianna Ghey (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Bus driver describes 'something odd' about Brianna day she died

Prosecutors have read a statement from bus driver Kieran Mercer who was driving the bus Brianna boarded to meet Girl X on the day of her murder.

He said: "The thing that made her stand out was the way she was dressed. It was freezing cold that day, I couldn't believe she wasn't wearing warmer clothing."

He said she asked for a 'child single to Culcheth'.

"From the moment I saw her I just felt there was something odd about her," he said.

"I felt as if she was going out of her way not to be seen."

He described her as being 'timid' and 'quietly spoken'.

He added: "She just gave the impression she was someone who just wanted to be left alone."

Ring footage was shown of Brianna on her way to the bus stop wearing. Prosecutor Deanna Heer says she has a 'very distinctive look', and had long red hair, glasses, wearing a 'fluffy white jacket', a tartan grey skirt and over the knee white socks and white plimsolls, holding a bag over her shoulder.

Jury hears defendants 'set up false Instagram account to lure victim'

The jury has heard about Girl X's plan to kill a different child, identified as Boy E in court, and she and Boy Y allegedly agreed to set up a false Instagram account.

It was called The Cum Lord and was supposed to entice the boy to meet them, it is claimed.

X identified two other kids they "need to kill" but said E was the easiest target. The court heard she added: “I want him to suffer. I want him to feel the pain of the knife.”

Y replied: “He will have the pain of knowing he will die.” X said if they cannot kill E, they can instead kill Brianna.

The jury heard child E blocked the fake Instagram account.

Girl X 'told Boy Y to watch Sweeney Todd'

Girl X allegedly encouraged Boy Y to watch musical Sweeney Todd before Brianna's death.

Jurors hear that she asked him: "What knife you bringing?"

She added: "And that will definitely 100 per cent kill her?”

Boy Y said it easily cut his skin.

In further messages Girl X said she was watching her 'favourite film' Sweeney Todd.

"You should watch Sweeney Todd, he kills people with one of the sharpest blades in the world," she said.

Girl X allegedly told Boy Y that she was “excited af [as f***] for tomorrow”.

Girl X allegedly sent Boy Y picture of handwritten murder plan

On February 3, Girl X is said to have sent Boy Y a photograph of a handwritten note which read: "Saturday 11 February 2023, victim Brianna Ghey.

“Meet Boy Y at wooden posts 1pm. Walk down to library…bus stop. Wait until Brianna gets off bus then the 3 of us walk to linear park. Go to the pipe/tunnel area. I say code word to Boy Y. He stabs her in the back as I stab her in the stomach. Boy Y drags the body into the area. We both cover up the area with logs etc."

Judge warns jury about defendants using toys and crossword books to help concentration

Only Girl X is in court today. Boy Y is instead listening in remotely via video link from his secure accommodation unit.

Trial judge Mrs Justice Yip told the jury they may notice that Y is playing with a fidget or tangle toy, or have a crossword book with him, which experts have told her helps him concentrate and X has similar devices.

She added: “Whatever helps to manage conditions I’m perfectly happy with. Whatever helps us get through the evidence, that’s helpful.”

Girl X allegedly discussed killing Brianna with ibuprofen in McDonald's milkshake

Girl X allegedly discussed killing Brianna with an overdose of ibuprofen gel in a McDonald’s milkshake, the court has heard.

On the third day of the trial the jury has heard more messages exchanged between the two co-defendants.

The jury heard about messages between the defendants exchanged on January 23 this year, three weeks before Brianna’s death, when X’s “fascination” with Brianna “turned darker”.

X tells Y she knows a lot about US serial killer Richard Ramirez, known as The Night Stalker, adding, “I could talk about him for like two hours, including quotes and dates of stuff”.

During the conversation, she adds: “I always fake apologies and play the victim.”

They then exchange messages about X trying to kill Brianna with an overdose.

X says that “ppl already know she is depressed and shit so nobody would get sus … I gave her some today that should have been enough to kill her … but she didn’t die”.

The two then discuss giving Brianna ibuprofen gel in a McDonald’s milkshake and Y says the pills X gave Brianna “might be slowly killing her”.

Girl X 'researched Night Stalker' and claims to have killed two people, court hears

Girl X allegedly claimed to have killed two people before Brianna and said she had researched serial killer Richard Ramirez.

In a text exchange from January 23, read out by Deanna Heer KC, prosecuting, Girl X is alleged to have said: “I haven’t killed many people by the way?”

Boy Y: “How many.”

Girl X: “Two.”

Boy Y: “You’re one kill away from being a serial killer. That means a longer sentence if you’re caught.”

Girl X added that she has been “researching Richard Ramirez, aka the Night Stalker”.

She also said: “I always fake apologies. I’m good at hiding stuff and playing the victim.”

Boy Y watching proceedings via video link

The proceedings at Manchester Crown Court resumed earlier this morning, presided over by Justice Yip.

Girl X is in the dock, but Boy Y will be following proceedings via video link today.

He was permitted to leave the court chamber yesterday part way through proceedings and return to his cell.

The judge permitted a request for one of the jurors to stand during the trial as they have a bad back.

Notes about infamous serial killer Harold Shipman in 'killer's' room

Handwritten notes referencing famous serial killers were found in the bedroom of one of Brianna Ghey's alleged killers, a court heard.

The 16-year-old transgender student was stabbed 28 times in a savage attack in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington on February 11 this year. Two defendants, aged 16 - referred to only as Girl X and Boy Y - both deny murder.

The trial was told yesterday police found notes referring to the likes of Harold Shipman and Jeffrey Dahmer in Girl X's room.

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Timeline of events in Brianna Ghey murder

February 11

Emergency services, including Cheshire Police, called to Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire, at 3.13pm.

Brianna's body was discovered on a path having been stabbed to death, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

February 12

Police named Brianna as the victim and arrested a boy and a girl, both 15, on suspicion of murder.

Detectives believed the attack was 'targeted' but not a 'hate crime' related to Brianna being transgender.

Tributes poured in for the teen.

February 13

A fundraiser was set up to support funeral costs for Brianna's family, exceeding its £100,000 target.

Brianna's heartbroken family paid their tribute saying: "Brianna was a much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister.

"She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind.

"The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same."

February 14

Cheshire police confirmed they were exploring the possibility Brianna's murder was a hate crime.

A series of vigils took place in Warrington - organised by the Brianna's friends - and Bristol.

Members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community held pride and transgender flags and signs such as 'Rest in Power' and 'Rest in Love'.

February 15

The 15-year-old suspects appear at Chester Magistrates' Court for the first time, to be charged with Brianna's murder.

The pair spoke only to confirm their names, not entering any pleas, with it also announced that they would later appear in Liverpool Crown Court.

The boy and girl charged with murder appeared via video at Liverpool Crown Court, again to just confirm their names, and were remanded in youth detention until a pre-trial preparation hearing on May 2.

March 8

An inquest heard that passersby found Brianna 'unresponsive' in the park before she was identified by her mum.

March 15

Brianna's funeral was held with scores of tearful mourners attending the service.

May 26

A new trial date was set for the two accused of Brianna's murder, with it pushed back from June 10 to November 27.

November 27

Both defendants, now aged 16, appeared at Manchester Crown Court before Mrs Justice Yip for the start of their trial, expected to last between three and four weeks.

Brianna Ghey murder trial enters third day

The Brianna Ghey murder trial continues into its third day at Manchester Crown Court.

The jury is expected to hear evidence from 10 witnesses, including four in court, who saw the 16-year-old and the defendants on the day of the killing.

Alleged killers used 'code word' to signal when to start attack

Boy Y and Girl X, the two teens alleged to have stabbed Brianna 28 times to death, were said to have used a codeword to signal when to start the attack to kill her.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC claimed that the pair, both aged 16 now, had a 'preoccupation' with 'violence, torture and death'. She also highlighted one string of alleged messages which included a note Girl X sent to Boy Y. It was entitled: "Saturday 11 February 2023. Victim: Brianna Ghey."

Police later found this note in the girl’s bedroom when she was arrested the following day, along with other plans to target future victims, the court heard. Ms Heer read out the note about Brianna during which Girl X described a "code word" used to trigger their alleged attack.

It read: "Meet Boy Y at wooden posts 1pm. Walk down to library ... bus stop. Wait until Brianna gets off bus then the 3 of us walk to linear park. Go to the pipe/tunnel area. I say code word to boy Y. He stabs her in the back as I stab her in the stomach. Boy Y drags the body into the area. We both cover up the area with logs etc."

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Proceedings will continue tomorrow

Proceedings will continue tomorrow, November 29, on day three of Brianna Ghey's murder trial.

Tomorrow there will be evidence from ten witnesses who saw Brianna and the defendants on the day of the horrific murder. Four of those witnesses will give live evidence, the rest will give read evidence at Manchester Crown Court.

Teen murder suspect boasted about buying £13.50 knife, court hears

Earlier today, during proceedings, the jury was told at one point how one of the murder suspects identified only as Boy Y, allegedly boasted about a knife he had bought.

On January 1, he allegedly messaged the other suspect, Girl X, and said: "Spent my money, I bought a knife."

"Ooh what kind of knife," Girl X is said to have replied.

Jurors are told that he sent her an image of a 'hunting knife'.

"It cost £13.50," Boy Y then allegeldy said.

The following day, Boy Y is said to have told her: "You should have seen the collection the shop had."

Mourners leave the funeral of 16-year-old schoolgirl Brianna Ghey (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

One of teen murder suspects was 'obsessed' with Brianna, court hears

Earlier today, during the trial into the murder of Brianna Ghey, one of the two suspects, named only as Girl X, described being "obsessed" with Brianna, the court heard.

In messages exchanged with the other suspect, Boy Y, on December 15, Girl X sent a picture of Brianna and said she was "obsessed" with the 16-year-old schoolgirl.

In the alleged conversation they used explicit and vile transphobic language. Girl X said: "I’m obsessed over someone I know but don’t have feelings for them. She’s called Brianna. I don’t know how to explain. Also she has a d*** lol." She then sent a picture of Brianna to Boy Y.

Boy Y allegedly described Brianna as an "it" before Girl X said Brianna was "trans. She looks just like a girl and even sounds like a girl. She looks really pretty."

The funeral of Brianna Ghey, held in Warrington, Cheshire (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Trial adjourned

The trial has been adjourned for the day and will resume tomorrow morning.

Gruesome details of Boy Y and Girl X's alleged planned killings

This afternoon, some of the horrific details of alleged planned killings by Boy Y and Girl X have been shared in court.

They discussed killing a number of others, the prosecution said, and Deanna Heer KC prosecution, read out alleged text messages from the pair, sent back and forth on November 7.

In it, they allegedly discussed killing Boy M - previously identified as a friend of Girl X. In the chilling text messages they are said to discuss planting the hair of someone else on the body and also taking trophies from the killing.

Girl X said: "If I do end up killing [Boy M], I have a really sharp blade, the same one that Sweeney Todd uses. If we kill [Boy M] can I keep some things, a couple of teeth and an eye. Idk how I would cut eye out though and get teeth out. And torture before killing."

Boy Y said: "And if you cut his heels and chop his tongue he can’t run or talk. I don’t know what I would get of him."

A vigil at St George's Hall in Liverpool, in memory of 16-year-old schoolgirl Brianna Ghey (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Boy Y not returning to court as he 'wasn't feeling well'

Boy Y, one of the two teens accused of killing Brianna Ghey, has not returned to court this afternoon because he isn't feeling very well, the judge said.

Justice Yip told the jury: "We haven’t got Boy Y. That’s because I suggested he ought to go back to his unit. He wasn’t feeling very well. I think it's best he goes back and ends his day. We’re going through evidence both defendants have already had and gone through.

"Girl X has chosen to stay and we’re going to do about half an hour. I understand that both defendants aren’t feeling well this afternoon. They may not have to be physically in present for us going through material they’ve already seen."

The funeral of tragic 16-year-old schoolgirl Brianna Ghey at St. Elphin’s parish church in Warrington, Cheshire (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Girl X 'didn't care' if her and Boy Y killed one of her friends, court hears

Girl X, one of the alleged murderers of Brianna Ghey, said that she "don't care" if she and Boy Y killed one of her friends, the court heard today.

The duo, accused of killing Brianna Ghey, also allegedly discussed killing a number of others in chilling detail, including one referred to only as Boy M in proceedings.

During proceedings this afternoon, the jurors were told of messages said to have been shared between the defendants on November 6.

In them, Boy Y is said to have messaged Girl X: "I thought Boy M was your friend, but you seem pretty ok with me killing him."

The alleged conversation then went as such:

Girl X: "He is my friend tbh but I don't care if you kill him."

Boy Y: "What if he wanted to kill me?"

Girl X: "Then I would kill him."

Girl X: "I can wear a mask and hood and use a voice changer and threaten him to stay away."

Boy Y allegedly said: "I would like you to do as you see fit. If he is guilty and you dispose of him, cut out his heart then cook it and feed it to your dog."

A police officer stands next to floral tributes at the entrance to a park where 16-year-old Brianna Ghey was found with multiple stab wounds on a path (Getty Images)