Parents of young girl tragically murdered in Bolton have paid tribute

The tragic news broke over the weekend that a young girl had been murdered at Queen’s Park in Bolton.

According to GMP, police were called to the popular park just before 2.35pm on Sunday March 22nd, after reports a child had been attacked.

Sadly, when emergency services attended, a young girl was found to have been stabbed by a woman – the girl sadly passed away despite their best efforts to save her.

She’s now been formally identified as 7-year-old Emily Jones, and her family have paid tribute to ‘the light of their lives’.

Emily’s parents said: “Emily was 7-years-old, our only child and the light of our lives. She was always full of joy, love and laughter.

“Emily had such a cheeky smile and was beautiful inside and out. She had a heart as big as her smile. Emily was never happier than when she was spending time with her family and friends, she was our own little social butterfly.

“Emily had a passion for the outdoors and loved to play any sport, even when she was wearing her pink sparkly dresses!!

“We are beyond devastated that this random act of violence means that we will never get to see our beautiful little girl grow up into the wonderful young lady she was showing such promise of becoming.

“It is truly heart breaking to wake up to a world without Emily in it and we cannot comprehend why this has happened.

“We would like to thank the members of the public that assisted us in the park and express our gratitude to the emergency services for doing their upmost to save Emily’s life.

“Thank you to everyone for their kind messages of support and for continuing to respect our privacy at this difficult time.”

A 30-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, and was subsequently assessed by specialist medical staff and detained under the Mental Health Act – according to police she is currently in a highly secure facility.

Our thoughts are with Emily’s family at this extremely difficult time.