Two held as Lilia, 9 knifed to death in the street
A GIRL of nine who was stabbed to death in the street in daylight has been named as Lilia Valutyte.
Two suspects have been arrested and were being questioned yesterday.
Police declined to give any details about them, including whether they were adults or juveniles.
The parents of Lilia, who was believed to be Lithuanian, have been informed and were being supported by specially trained officers.
Forensic officers were yesterday scouring the scene in Boston, Lincs, where the youngster was attacked on Thursday evening.
A large tent was seen in a cordonedoff area of the historic centre of the market town, which has a high migrant population from Eastern Europe.
At least 10 yellow numbered evidence markers were also seen.
Shocked residents left floral tributes near the scene.
One note pinned to a bouquet of pink roses read: “So sorry this cruel world has taken your life, beautiful girl. May you be in the arms of the angels.”
Taxi driver Jonathan Newton, 55, said: “We are a close knit-community here and the town is rocked to the core by this tragedy. She was just a little girl.
“How could anyone do this to a nineyear-old? It’s the most shocking tragedy to ever befall our little town.”
A dad of a boy murdered in Boston in 2020 sent his sympathy to Lilia’s parents. Roberts Buncis was stabbed over 70 times in a frenzied attack just days before his 13th birthday. Reaching out to Lilia’s family, dad Edgars Buncis said: “You will go through the hell, be strong, take any help you can get. Where are we going, what is wrong with this world, what is wrong with Boston?”
Flags were flying at half-mast around
Boston yesterday. Paul Skinner, leader of the borough council, said the town was “united in mourning”.
Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson of Lincolnshire Police said increased patrols would be carried out in the area to reassure the community.
She added: “We believe this to be an isolated incident.
“We are pursuing extensive lines of inquiry and have committed a number of resources to this investigation.
“You will see more officers patrolling the area and we have a high number of specialist detectives who have been brought in to assist the investigation.”
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel described the horror as “appalling”.