‘We’re broken’: Family of Elianne Andam, 15, murdered in Croydon say lives 'not the same' ahead of schoolgirl's funeral

11 November 2023, 11:04 | Updated: 11 November 2023, 11:07

A funeral for Elianne Andam is to be held on Saturday.
A funeral for Elianne Andam is to be held on Saturday. Picture: Handout/Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

The family of Elianne Andam, who was stabbed to death in Croydon, have said they’re “not the same” since the day she was killed.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Elianne Andam, 15, was stabbed in the neck less than a mile from her school in Croydon at around 8:30am on September 27.

A teenager, 17, was charged with the 15-year-old’s murder and is set to appear in court on December 19.

Speaking ahead of Elianne’s funeral, which is set to be held in Croydon on Saturday, her family have revealed the struggle they’ve endured since her death.

"Up to now, I'm still not the same woman... I can't do anything. I get up and I don't even feel like dressing up, but you have to put clothes on because people are coming to sympathise with you," Elianne’s aunt Regina Boafo said ahead of her funeral.

"If I can't even do things, just imagine how my sister feels - my sister who was trying to be strong and go to work, she can't."

Read more: ‘I won’t let it define me’: Jonnie Irwin defies doctors' prognosis as he plans 50th birthday amid terminal cancer battle

Read more: Remembrance Day Palestine protest live: Cenotaph under 24-hour guard as 500,000 activists descend on London

A funeral is being held for Elianne on Saturday.
A funeral is being held for Elianne on Saturday. Picture: Handout

Elianne’s aunt Ruby Paintstil said: “She is broken a lot... we have to keep comforting her. She hasn't been herself, every day broken into pieces.”

"If we could change the clock I wish we would not have to go through this.”

Elianne’s family is set to hold a 'celebration of life' for the aspiring lawyer after she is buried on Saturday.

“She's a girl that liked to bring joy to people's lives,” Ms Paintsil told the BBC.

Ms Boafo added: “It will be nice to celebrate it and for us, she will forever remain in our hearts - she can never be gone.

"Even though she is gone, we know that her memory will forever be with us."

Her aunts both also spoke at a community event at Croydon Voluntary Action on Friday, as they paid tribute to Elianne and her ambitions as an aspiring lawyer.

A vigil was held for the schoolgirl in October.
A vigil was held for the schoolgirl in October. Picture: Getty

A vigil was held for Elianne in October after her death.

Her family visited the scene where she died in Wellesley Road during the vigil, as crowds gathered outside the police cordon and prayers were said.

Elianne’s heartbroken mother, nurse Dorcas Adam, was at the vigil, and was consoled by her husband Michael, crying while trying to “comprehend this painful tragedy”.

A statement read out by a church leader on behalf of the family at “the time said: “Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus. She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead. It is our request that you keep our cherished daughter Elianne and our family, in your thoughts and prayers."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Gunner Beck

Women in Army subjected to 'disgusting' comments from male colleagues amid misogynistic culture, inquest hears

The aircraft can be seen upside down, with its wheels in the air, and the area thick with snow

Emergency crews responding after Delta Airlines flight 'flips over' during landing in Toronto - injuring 15

Paula Miluska had started working from home in November 2022 due to her pregnancy illness

Woman awarded £93k payout after boss fires her for morning sickness by sending jazz hands emoji

c

Britain must take a ‘leading responsibility’ for peace in Ukraine, says PM as he calls for US ‘security guarantee’

Andrew Tate is facing allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering

Trump team 'pressuring Romania to lift restrictions on Andrew Tate'

Skyrora, a rocket company with its headquarters in Edinburgh

Scottish company promises to blast rockets into space from 2026

A petition calling for major driving licence changes has received almost 100,000 signatures

Petition calls for ban on newly-qualified drivers carrying passengers under 25

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by George, Charlotte and Louis - but who drew who?

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner

Julia Wandelt who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann releases bombshell new DNA test results

Pope Francis will need to remain in hospital with a respiratory tract infection

Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'

One lucky punter scooped £65m on the EuroMillions

Lucky UK ticket-holder claims £65m Valentine's Day EuroMillions jackpot

A life-drawing class that has been running for over 30 years has been told its models must cover-up or find a new venue.

Models at life drawing class in posh London neighbourhood told to cover up over child 'safeguarding' concerns

Exclusive
An investigation by LBC can reveal there are more than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England - the equivalent of one in every 23.

More than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England as thousands left at risk of homelessness