Brianna Ghey was a 16-year-old trans girl who was brutally stabbed to death in a park in Warrington, England, on February 11, 2023. Her murder trial began on November 27, 2023, at the Manchester Crown Court. Two teenagers, a boy and a girl, who were 15 at the time of the incident, have been charged with her murder. They have denied their involvement and their identities have not been revealed.
Brianna’s parents, Esther Ghey and Peter Spooner have been attending the trial and seeking justice for their daughter. They have described Brianna as a “loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister” who was “beautiful, witty, and hilarious”. They have also said that Brianna was “strong, fearless, and one of a kind”.
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Who are Esther Ghey and Peter Spooner?
Ghey was born to Esther Ghey and Peter Spooner, who live in Warrington. She had a younger sister named Alisha, who was 14 years old. Brianna was a student at Birchwood High School in Warrington, where she had a few friends who supported her.
Brianna was active on TikTok, where she had around 31,000 followers. She posted lip-sync videos and other content on her account. She also liked to play video games and watch anime. She was a fan of Harry Potter and Marvel movies.
Brianna Ghey came out as trans when she was 14 years old. She changed her name from Brian to Brianna and started wearing feminine clothes and makeup. She also began hormone therapy to transition. Her parents and sister accepted her and supported her decision.
However, she faced a lot of bullying and harassment at school and online because of her gender identity. She was called names, threatened, and physically attacked by some of her classmates. Ghey was also targeted by trolls on social media who sent her hateful messages and death threats.
Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner, was worried about his daughter’s safety and well-being. He told the Daily Mail that he had contacted the school several times to report the bullying and ask for help, but nothing was done. He also said that he had tried to get Brianna to move to another school, but she refused because she did not want to leave her friends.
BIODATA
| Name | Brianna Ghey |
|---|---|
| Age | 16 |
| Gender | Trans girl |
| Location | Warrington, England |
| Date of death | February 11, 2023 |
| Cause of death | Stabbed 28 times in a park |
| Suspects | Two teenagers, a boy and a girl, aged 15 |
| Trial status | Ongoing at the Manchester Crown Court |
| Parents | Esther Ghey and Peter Spooner |
| Sister | Alisha Ghey |
| School | Birchwood High School |
| Online presence | TikTok account with 31,000 followers |
| Interests | Video games, anime, Harry Potter, Marvel movies |
| Challenges | Bullying, harassment, transphobia, online trolls |
| Legacy | Sparked outrage, grief, awareness, discussion, action, and tribute among the trans community and the public |
| Homepage | wikicelebs.com |
Ghey’s murder and trial
On February 11, 2023, Brianna was stabbed 28 times in the Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington. She was found by a passer-by who called the emergency services, but she died at the scene. The police launched an investigation and arrested two teenagers, a boy and a girl, who were 15 at the time. They were charged with Brianna’s murder and remanded in custody.
The murder trial of Brianna Ghey began on November 27, 2023, at the Manchester Crown Court. The prosecution alleged that the two defendants had planned to kill Brianna because they hated her for being trans. They claimed that the defendants had exchanged text messages before the attack, in which they discussed how to lure Brianna to the park and what weapons to use. They also claimed that the defendants had searched online for information on how to kill someone and how to dispose of a body.
The prosecution also presented evidence from the crime scene, such as the knife used to stab Brianna, the blood-stained clothes of the defendants, and the CCTV footage that showed them entering and leaving the park. They also played the 999 call made by the passer-by who found Brianna, in which he described her injuries and pleaded for help.
The defense argued that the defendants were not guilty of murder, but of manslaughter. They said that the defendants did not intend to kill Brianna Ghey, but only to scare her and teach her a lesson. They said that the defendants were immature and impulsive, and that they acted under the influence of drugs and alcohol. They also said that the defendants were suffering from mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The defense also challenged the evidence presented by the prosecution, such as the text messages, the online searches, and the CCTV footage. They said that the text messages were taken out of context and that they were not serious, but jokes and banter. They said that the online searches were not related to Brianna, but to other topics, such as horror movies and video games. They said that the CCTV footage was unclear and that it did not show the defendants stabbing Brianna.
The trial is expected to last for four weeks. The jury will have to decide whether the defendants are guilty of murder or manslaughter, or not guilty of either. The judge will then decide the sentence for the defendants, if they are convicted. The maximum sentence for murder is life imprisonment, while the maximum sentence for manslaughter is 15 years.
Legacy and impact
Brianna Ghey’s death has sparked outrage and grief among the trans community and the public. Many people have expressed their condolences and solidarity with Brianna’s family and friends. Many people have also called for justice for Brianna and for an end to transphobia and violence.
Her death has also raised awareness and discussion about the issues and challenges faced by trans people, especially trans youth. Many people have shared their own stories and experiences of being trans and of facing discrimination and harassment. Many people have also advocated for more support and resources for trans people, such as counseling, education, and legal protection.
Ghey’s passing has also inspired some positive actions and changes. Some of Brianna’s friends and classmates have organized vigils and fundraisers in her memory. Some of Brianna’s teachers and school staff have received training on how to support trans students and prevent bullying. Some of Brianna’s online followers have created tributes and artworks in her honor. Some of Brianna’s idols and celebrities have spoken out and paid tribute to her, such as Harry Styles, Zendaya, and Emma Watson.
Brianna was a young girl who had a bright future ahead of her. She was a talented, creative, and courageous person who wanted to live her life as her true self. She was loved and cherished by her family and friends who miss her dearly. She was a victim of a horrific and senseless crime that should never have happened. She was a human being who deserved respect and dignity. She was Brianna Ghey, and she will never be forgotten.
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