The father of the 11-year-old girl stabbed to death in Wolverhampton has said: ‘We are utterly devastated.’
Tributes have been paid to Jasmine Forrester – as police continue to question a 51-year-old male relative on suspicion of murder.
The ‘lovely’ eleven-year-old died in hospital on Friday afternoon.
After her death was announced, Jade Whittall wrote on social media: ‘RIP Jasmine, such a sad day. ‘Such a lovely little girl taken far too soon and in such an awful way.’
Lorraine Chew added: ‘My lil ones friend, she’s devastated, such a shame, she was a lovely girl.’
Pictured: The girl who was found stabbed in a house in Wolverhampton in the early hours of this morning has died and been named as Jasmine Forrester, 11.
Her father has spoken today of his utter devastation at her death
Cards, like the one seen above, and flowers were left in tribute near the youngster’s home
One card addressed to the young girl read:’A shining star who always put a smile on our faces with your kind word, beautiful smile and heart of gold.
‘The world is a sadder place without you in for you were one of the best.’
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: ‘It is a huge shock. ‘The little girl goes to the same school as my daughter. It is very upsetting.’
Superintendent Harvi Khatkar, of Wolverhampton police, said: ‘This is an extremely distressing incident and our sympathies go out to everyone affected.
‘We are working to establish exactly what has happened, and fully understand the impact that this will have on the community.
‘But we do believe this is an isolated incident, and we are not looking for anyone else.
‘Extra officers will be out patrolling the area to offer reassurance to residents.’
Emergency services were called to the semi-detached house in Wolverhampton just before 1am after neighbours heard Jasmine’s grandmother running down the street screaming for help.
When they arrived they found the youngster with multiple stab wounds and a serious head injury.
Mourners left flowers on Kent Road, where the 11-year-old’s body was found on Friday
Neighbours claimed Jasmine’s grandmother woke them up in the early hours of this morning saying the schoolgirl (pictured) had been stabbed
The semi-detached home (pictured) is being examined by forensic experts
The girl was found with severe knife wounds in this street in Wolverhampton this morning
Locals claim Jasmine was staying at her grandmother Victoria’s house.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, described seeing the elderly woman, 79, ‘howling’ as she banged on their door.
They said: ‘I was awoken by the sound of the grandmother screaming. It was a horrific howling sound – she was just frantic.
‘She was yelling, ‘help me, help me’. It was really chilling.
‘The police were here very quickly but the old lady looked inconsolable. It doesn’t bare thinking about what she witnessed in that house.’
Another neighbour, Gilda Chambers, said Mrs Forrester woke them up too.
She has been named by police as Jasmine Forrester and died in hospital this afternoon
A 51-year-old relative has been arrested on suspicion of her murder and is currently being treated for a minor injury
Ms Chambers said: ‘She was crying and all she could tell him was ‘call the police’ over and over.
‘She was very upset, dressed only in a dressing gown and bare footed.
‘She was holding her arm, and when they arrived the police called for an ambulance for her.’
Mrs Forrester suffered a dislocated shoulder as the incident unfolded and is being treated in hospital.
Another neighbour said the family have lived in the area for 20 years and they were ‘in shock’ over Jasmine’s death.
They said: ‘The family are very religious and go to church every Sunday.
‘I would never expect this to happen to them as they seem so normal.
‘I know they’ve lived on the road for over 20 years, but whenever I see them passing by, we would exchange friendly hellos, it’s a bit of a shock really.
Police are combing this semi-detached house for evidence into what happened last night
‘I see the kids playing on the street with the neighbours kids, they just seem like normal children.
‘It’s really shocking to know this has happened, especially on our road, nothing really happens here.’
Shopkeeper Natu Patel, 67, said he saw Jasmine every day.
He said: ‘She loved coming in to see us and would make us things little pictures to keep in the shop. I just can’t believe it. Why her? She is just so young.
‘They are such a lovely and caring family and it’s completely out of character for this to happen.’
Another neighbour added: ‘The lady who lives next door is absolutely lovely. She and her family are quite religious.
‘Her husband was a preacher before he died a couple of years ago.
‘She has lots of grandchildren who come round to play in the school holidays and she dotes on them.’
Neighbours reported Jasmine’s grandmother, Victoria, 79, banging on their doors saying her granddaughter had been stabbed
Detectives said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing and are continuing to quiz the dead girl’s relative.
A post mortem is due to take place on Sunday.
The property has been cordoned off for a forensic investigation to take place.
Superintendent Harvi Khatkar, of Wolverhampton Police, said: ‘This is an extremely distressing incident and we are working to establish exactly what has happened.
‘We fully understand the impact that this will have on the community. But we do believe this is an isolated incident, and we are not looking for anyone else.
‘Extra officers will be out patrolling the area to offer reassurance to residents.’
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting log 77 of February 9.