Brianna Ghey 'was let down by the lack of mental health treatment', says mum

The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey has spoken about her mental health battles in the lead up to her "exceptionally brutal" murder.

And Esther Ghey said that when police knocked on her door after finding her 16-year-old daughter’s body, “she just knew something like this was going to happen."

Unsuspecting Brianna was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in her head, neck, chest and back after being lured to Linear Park in Culcheth, a village near Warrington, Cheshire, on the afternoon of February 11 2023.

READ MORE: Brianna Ghey's dad breaks down in tears at inquest as he speaks of his daughter

READ MORE: Mum of Brianna Ghey killer Eddie Ratcliffe says he was 'caring boy' with 'good morals'

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 15 at the time, were jailed for life after being convicted of the “sadistic” murder following a trial last year.

The trial heard that Jenkinson had “enjoyed” the killing, with the excitement causing her to stab Brianna more times, and she found the thought of violence “sexually arousing”, with a desire to kill again, Manchester Crown Court heard. Jenkinson must serve a minimum of 22 years before being eligible for parole and Ratcliffe 20 years.

Brianna, who was transgender, was described by her mother as a “hyperactive” child but also loving. Brianna was later diagnosed with dyslexia and was asked to leave her first secondary school, transferring to Birchwood High School just before lockdown in 2020.

It was there she was befriended by Jenkinson, who had joined the school after being asked to leave Culcheth High School.

Ms Ghey told an inquest into her daughter’s death that her issues with mental health began around the age of 14 but she refused to engage with the Child