Three teenagers appeared before magistrates on Monday charged with murdering a 16-year-old girl who was stabbed to death following what her family described as a dispute over a romantic relationship.
Kayla Smith, 18, of Kennerleigh Avenue, Leeds, and Archie Rycroft, 19, of Middleton Park Road, Leeds, were remanded in custody alongside a 17-year-old boy who cannot be identified for legal reasons. All three gave their ethnicity as white British during proceedings at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.
The victim, Chloe Watson Dransfield from Gomersal, West Yorkshire, was discovered unresponsive on the roadside in the Austhorpe suburb at approximately 6am on Saturday. Despite attempts by neighbours to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at hospital.
A GoFundMe appeal established by a relative identifying herself as Chloe’s cousin stated the teenager’s “life was taken in a flash over a boy,” with the fundraiser reaching nearly £15,000 by Monday morning.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed a fourth suspect, an 18-year-old male from Leeds, remains in custody on suspicion of murder, whilst an 18-year-old boy and 17-year-old girl previously arrested have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Chloe’s devastated family paid tribute to their “loyal, honest, family-oriented princess” who had recently secured a college placement to study hair and beauty. Her mother and siblings stated: “There is so much I could say. There’s a big hole in my heart that can never be filled.”
Her uncle Christopher Watson described her as “a beautiful young lady with her whole life ahead of her” who “had her head screwed on.”
Neighbour Wayne Mallows, 64, told how he performed CPR on the fatally wounded teenager after being summoned by a dog walker around 5.50am. “She had been stabbed in the back and there was quite a bit of blood. Her eyes were just blank,” he stated.
The normally quiet residential street, consisting mainly of retirement bungalows, became the focus of intensive police activity throughout the weekend, with crime scene officers conducting searches on Monday.
Chloe had attended a party at a bungalow in the area and had messaged a friend requesting collection shortly before the fatal attack. Her mother, Addel Watson, reportedly learned of her daughter’s death through social media after failing to contact her.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle appealed for anyone with information or mobile phone footage to contact the Major Incident Public Portal, stating: “Our thoughts remain with Chloe’s family at this incredibly difficult time.”
