Police hold teen after boy of 14 is found stabbed to death in cemetery
A TEENAGER was being questioned on suspicion of murder last night after a schoolboy was found stabbed to death in a graveyard.
Jordan Watson, 14, was knifed repeatedly in the head and neck hours before his body was found by a dog-walker in a secluded part of the church cemetery.
Police said the 18-year-old man being questioned knew the schoolboy and the arrest was ‘one line of inquiry’.
Jordan, from Carlisle, was last seen at a friend’s house around 11pm on Monday. His body was found at John the Baptist Church’s cemetery in the city the following morning. A post- mortem examination revealed he died after suffering multiple wounds to his head and neck, from a sharp object.
Andrew Slattery, senior investigating officer at Cumbria Police, said: ‘Jordan has lost his life as a result of a savage and brutal attack which has shocked the officers working on the case.’
Police were scouring the sprawling graveyard with sniffer dogs yesterday in search of the murder weapon.
The teenager’s aunt Lisa Patterson wrote online: ‘RIP my little angel nephew. Gone for us but never forgotten. Your cheeky smile and laugh will live in our hearts forever.’
Friends left flowers outside the church in tribute to Jordan, and his girlfriend, who lives seven doors away from his home, posted a tribute online. Justine Gibbons, 14, wrote: ‘When you have someone you love in heaven, you have a little bit of heaven in your home.’
Jordan’s friend Lauren Blakey, 16, said: ‘ He was such a kindhearted boy. I can’t believe it. I just keep thinking he is going to come round the corner, bouncing and lively.
‘Everyone loved him. He was easy to get on with. He did not to deserve to die.’
In a floral tribute, she wrote: ‘Jordan, miss and love you every day. Brightest star in the sky, keep shining. RIP.’
Lorraine Haslan, 53, who lives next door to the Watson family, said the murder was like a ‘bad dream’ for them.
Jordan lived with his mother Lisa-Marie, 34, father Michael, 54, and three siblings Joshua, 17, Aaron, 12, and Laisha, 10.
Neighbours said Jordan had been in trouble with the authorities in the past and had spent time away from the family home, but his behaviour had improved in recent months.
Robert Hewson, head teacher at the Gillford Centre, a specialist school, said Jordan had been sent there after being permanently excluded from mainstream education last July.
He added: ‘All the staff and students at the Gillford Centre are saddened and shocked by the tragic news of Jordan’s death. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.’
Mr Slattery said Cumbria Police were keeping an ‘open mind’ about the motive behind the attack.