Brianna Ghey: Warrington schoolgirl's inquest opens

Brianna Ghey was found injured in Linear Park in Culcheth and died at the scene

An inquest into the death of teenager Brianna Ghey has been opened and adjourned.

The 16-year-old transgender girl from Birchwood, Warrington, was found with fatal stab wounds in Culcheth Linear Park on 11 February.

A boy and a girl, both aged 15, who cannot be named due to their age, have been charged with her murder and are due to go on trial on 10 July.

Large crowds are expected at Brianna's pink-themed funeral on 15 March.

Thousands of people attended candlelit vigils across the UK after her death.

At a brief two-minute hearing at Warrington Coroner's Court Jacqueline Devonish opened and adjourned the inquest into Brianna's death until after the trial and set a date for a pre-inquest hearing on 17 August.

Det Insp Nigel Parr, from Cheshire Police, said: "The investigation is a murder investigation and two individuals have been charged with the murder of Brianna."

He confirmed the teenager was found "unresponsive" by members of the public in the park and paramedics attended and confirmed the date of death.

A post-mortem examination was carried out at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, results of which were given at the hearing on Tuesday.

Brianna's identity was confirmed by her mother Esther, the hearing was told, which was not attended by her family members.

Brianna's family described her as "beautiful, witty and hilarious".

They said she was "strong, fearless and one of a kind" with a "larger-than-life character".

Thousands of people attended candlelit vigils after Brianna's death

The public have been invited to attend her funeral at 14:45 GMT at St Elphin's Church in Warrington with mourners encouraged to wear pink in her memory.

A GoFundMe page set up to help Brianna's family with funeral costs has raised more than £113,000.

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• Boy and girl in court accused of Brianna murder

Victoria and Jacob Potter, who started the fundraiser, posted on the page: "Brianna was an outgoing, confident girl. She brought a lot of laughter to those who knew her.

"We have set up this page to help the family at this truly devastating time."