Fifth arrest after murder of 'beautiful princess'

4 hours ago

Hayley CoyleYorkshire

News image — Chloe Watson Dransfield, 16, died in hospital after being found early on Saturday morning

West Yorkshire Police A teenage girl with blonde hair and a white top looks at the camera — Chloe Watson Dransfield, 16, died in hospital after being found early on Saturday morning

A fifth teenager has been arrested following the murder of a 16-year-old girl who was found on a street in Leeds.

Chloe Watson Dransfield was discovered unconscious on Kennerleigh Avenue in Austhorpe shortly before 06:00 GMT on Saturday and died in hospital a short time later.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested earlier on suspicion of murder, West Yorkshire Police said.

Earlier, Chloe's family released a tribute to their "beautiful princess" via the force.

Four other people - two women aged 18, a 19-year-old man and another 17-year-old boy, all from Leeds - remain in custody after being arrested previously on suspicion of murder.

PA Media Several bouquets of flowers left on a grass verge. — Floral tributes were being left at the scene in Austhorpe, Leeds, on Monday

Chloe's family paid tribute to the "bubbly" teenager, who lived in Gomersal, around 17 miles from Austhorpe.

Her mother said: "My beautiful princess Chloe. I cannot put into words how I feel that you are not here with me.

"You are my life, my world, my best friend and I know that I am yours... I cannot live without you - I need you.

"You are stunning, confident, loyal, honest and my family-orientated princess."

She added: "Your two sisters and big brother will always love and miss you to infinity... you will always and forever be in our hearts."

PA Media Several marked police vans are parked along the left side of the road. On the right side of the pavement, two individuals wearing full white forensic suits, gloves, masks and protective shoe coverings are walking in the same direction. One of them is carrying a clear evidence bag and a yellow case. The pavement runs alongside low brick garden walls, and the sky above is overcast with patches of cloud. — Forensic investigators continued to work at the scene in Kennerleigh Avenue

Chloe's father wrote: "We miss every single thing about her. She was beautiful, full of joy, and had a wonderfully cheeky personality.

"Chloe was loved by everyone who knew her, and the absence she leaves behind is immeasurable.

"We will miss her forever, she will never be forgotten. Love you always and forever."

Det Ch Supt Marc Bowes, senior investigating officer, said on Sunday that inquiries into the teenager's death were continuing.

He appealed for anyone who was in the Kennerleigh Avenue area in the early hours of Saturday morning to "come forward if they have any information which could assist our investigation".

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