Lainie Williams, 17, from Blackwood, died from stab wounds – inquest

Lainie Williams, 17, from Blackwood, died from stab wounds – inquest

A 17-year-old girl tragically lost her life after being attacked with a knife at her residence, according to details revealed during an inquest. The victim, Lainie Williams, sustained numerous stab wounds at her home on Wheatley Place, Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood in Caerphilly county. The incident took place around 07:15 GMT on the 13th of November.

Lainie’s mother, 38-year-old Rhian Stephens, was also harmed during the attack and subsequently required hospital treatment, from which she has since been discharged. Authorities have charged Cameron Cheng, aged 18 and from Newbridge, with Lainie’s murder, the attempted murder of Mrs. Stephens, and possession of a bladed weapon. He is scheduled to stand trial in May 2026.

The family of Lainie Williams expressed their profound sorrow, describing themselves as “heartbroken” over the loss. Rose Farmer, the area coroner for Gwent, spoke during the opening of the inquest, recounting how Mrs. Stephens had contacted emergency services on the morning of November 13 to report her daughter being stabbed. Upon arrival, paramedics declared Lainie deceased at the scene.

The coroner labeled the death as a violent one, necessitating the opening of the inquest. Evidence presented included a Home Office pathologist’s statement identifying “multiple sharp force injuries” as the provisional cause of death. Further investigations are planned, and as a result, the inquest has been adjourned until August 2026. The trial of Cameron Cheng is set to last approximately three weeks and will take place at Cardiff Crown Court

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