Rachelle Owen: 16-year-old daughter of alleged murder victim killed by train two months after mother's death
The schoolgirl was hit by a train at Hoylake station on Friday evening
Rachelle Owen, a 16-year-old schoolgirl whose mother was allegedly murdered in a violent attack two months ago, has died after being hit by a train.
Owen, from West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside, died after the incident at Hoylake station on Friday evening. British Transport Police said her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Tributes have poured in for the schoolgirl, whose mother, Kay Diamond, was found dead at her flat in Toxteth two months ago.
Diamond, 44, died from a blunt force trauma to the head, according to a post mortem examination. Anthony Blye, a 52-year-old man, has been charged with her murder. He denies the charges.
Friends have set up Facebook pages for people to pay tribute, while flowers and messages have been laid at the site where she died. Friends are planning to individually light candles for the schoolgirl at 8pm on Sunday night.
In a statement, the family said: “Rachelle was a beautiful, vibrant, loved daughter, granddaughter, sister and niece, who attended Hilbre High School Humanities College.
“She will be greatly missed forever by all of her family and friends.
“This is a double tragedy to our family following the recent death and funeral of her mum, Kay Diamond.”
Her aunt, Stacey Owen, wrote: “Heaven gained the most beautiful angel. Rachelle Owen. Words can't describe how much we will miss you! Sleep tight.”
Cousin Victoria Owen said: “Keep thinking it won't be true and this is a crazy nightmare! So beautiful inside and out, we have all lost a very special person, my gorgeous cousin, Sweet dreams Rachelle Owen you will be missed by so so many.”
Friend Molly Connor said: “RIP my gorgeous girl, god only takes the best. Always and forever in my heart Rach, I love you so much sleep tight my angel.”
A further post added: “How much heartbreak does one family need?”
Additional reporting by Press Association