Man held over murder of pregnant teenager

The 19-year-old was discovered stabbed to death at her burnt out flat in Broadmead Park, Liswerry, Newport, South Wales, on Saturday morning.

The murder suspect is not from the Broadmead Park or the nearby Moorland Park or Pontfaen areas of Newport, Gwent Police said.

“Officers investigating the murder of 19-year-old Nikitta Grender have arrested a 26-year-old man from the Newport area on suspicion of murder. He is currently in custody at this time,” a Gwent Police statement said yesterday.

“Officers remain at the scene. Searches are continuing in and around the estate. Officers are searching six premises across the city as part of the investigation. House-to-house inquiries are continuing.”

The heavily pregnant teenager was due to give birth in two weeks to a baby girl who had already been named Kelsey-May.

She moved to the flat with boyfriend Ryan Mayes, 18, about six months ago and the couple had already decorated a room in preparation for the baby.

Her violent death from two stab wounds was greeted with deep shock and anger in the community.

Neighbours sobbed at what at first appeared to be a tragic fire death but feelings rapidly turned to anger when police revealed she was murdered.

One angry neighbour warned that vigilante-style justice was a possibility if the police failed to make progress quickly.

Gwent Police were at pains yesterday to underline the extent of the continuing operation on the estate.

Yesterday’s arrest comes after Miss Grender’s parents, Paul and Marcia, spoke of their anguish as they made a public appeal for information.