Breck Bednar stabbing: Dead teenager 'arranged internet meeting'

A 14-year-old boy, who was found stabbed to death in Essex, arranged to meet an internet friend, according to a post on social media.

Breck Bednar, from Caterham in Surrey, was found with a neck wound at a flat in Rosebery Road in Grays, Essex, on Monday morning.

The post, on Facebook, was from someone claiming to be the dead boy's cousin.

Essex Police said they were aware of the post. An 18-year-old man from Grays has been charged with murder.

The teenager died at about 11:00 GMT on Monday, police said.

The Facebook post said Breck was an "incredibly smart, funny and cute" boy who had turned to the internet after struggling to make friends and took the train to Essex.

The message read: "He ended up meeting someone who he thought wanted to be his friend.

"Breck told his father that he was going to his friend's house for a sleepover a couple of streets away, this wasn't a huge concern for his parents."

Lewis Daynes, of Rosebery Road, Grays, appeared before Basildon Magistrates' Court earlier.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday.

Essex Police said Breck's parents, oil futures trader Barry Bednar and mother Lorin LaFave, were being supported by family liaison officers.