An inquest has been launched into the murder of trans teenager Brianna Ghey, to investigate the transfer of one of her killers to her school. Brianna, aged 16, was brutally killed in a “frenzied” and “sadistic” knife attack orchestrated by her schoolmate Scarlett Jenkinson and Jenkinson’s friend Eddie Ratcliffe in February 2023. Although both perpetrators were only 15 at the time of the attack, they were sentenced to life in prison for the murder, with Jenkinson receiving a minimum of 22 years before parole and Ratcliffe 20 years.
The inquiry will delve into whether Jenkinson should have been placed at Birchwood High School alongside the vulnerable Brianna, following Jenkinson’s transfer from Culcheth High School after an incident involving cannabis. The three-day investigation into Brianna’s tragic death is scheduled to take place from Wednesday to Friday at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington.
Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey, described her daughter as “absolutely fearless, joyful, happy, unique and special.” The horrific incident saw Brianna being stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife in her head, neck, chest, and back after being lured to Linear Park in Culcheth, near Warrington, on the afternoon of February 11 last year. Testimonies revealed that Jenkinson took pleasure in the killing, while Ratcliffe expressed transphobic sentiments towards the victim, as highlighted by Mrs. Justice Yip during sentencing in February.
In summary, the inquest into the tragic death of Brianna Ghey sheds light on the harrowing details of the murder and aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding the transfer of one of the perpetrators to the victim’s school. The grief and anguish inflicted upon Brianna’s family and friends serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of ensuring school safety and protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.