LONDON, United Kingdom - UK police said on Wednesday that two teenagers have been charged with the weekend murder of a 16-year-old transgender girl, in a case that has drawn national concern.
Brianna Ghey was fatally stabbed in Warrington, northwest England, on Saturday. Members of the public found her on a path in a park that afternoon.
Cheshire Police arrested two 15-year-olds, a boy and a girl, from nearby Leigh, on Sunday and on Wednesday charged them with her murder.
They were to appear at Chester Magistrates' Court later in the day.
The force had previously said it was exploring whether Ghey was the victim of an anti-transgender hate crime.
The case has prompted candle-lit vigils across the country -- including in nearby Liverpool on Tuesday evening -- in memory of Ghey, who had a large following on social media site TikTok.
Further events organised by the transgender community were due to be held in London, Glasgow, Leeds and Belfast over the coming days.
A GoFundMe crowd-funding page supporting Ghey's family has already topped £75,000 ($91,000), one day after it was set up.
In a tribute issued after her death, her family said the teenager was a "much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister".
The statement added: "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."