Neighbours of a heavily pregnant murdered teenager have warned that vigilantes may act if police fail to find her killer soon.
The body of Nikitta Grender, 19, was found by firefighters called to a blaze at her flat in Newport, South Wales, on Saturday morning.
Shock at what appeared to be a tragic accident turned to anger when police revealed that Miss Grender, eight months pregnant with a baby girl, had been stabbed to death.
The strength of feeling locally could be seen on Monday by the number of floral tributes left outside the flat in Broadmead Park, Liswerry.
Mother-of-four Christine Tovey, a neighbour of the murdered teenager, said: “I can see vigilantes coming in if the police do not find who did this. I couldn’t blame them if anyone did. Emotions are running so high around here. Life isn’t fair any more.”
She said Miss Grender had moved in to the flat with her boyfriend about five or six months ago and was well-liked within the community.
Officers are continuing house-to-house inquiries and a team of workmen are using an array of equipment to empty out drains in the hope of finding the murder weapon, believed to be a knife.
Detective Superintendent Geoff Ronayne, of Gwent Police, said: “This is an horrific crime where two innocent lives have been lost. Nikitta was two weeks away from giving birth to a baby girl. This is particularly callous and something we very rarely see.
“We know Nikitta was out with friends Friday evening and visited McDonald’s in the Spytty area during the evening, and we are establishing the exact time she was dropped back to her address, but we would urge anyone who was in the vicinity of Nikitta’s address in 51 Broadmead Park, was with her or who saw her at any stage from 7pm on Friday February 4 onwards to get in touch.”
Anyone with information should get in touch with police on 01443 865562 or 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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