Parents in plea over murdered teenager

Nikitta Grender, 19, was found dead by firefighters called to a blaze at her flat in Newport, south Wales, on Saturday morning.

Neighbours in the community on the estate in Broadmead Park, Liswerry, where she lived, have spoken of their shock and anger at the killing.

Murder hunt detectives re-appealed for anyone, particularly close friends of the murdered woman, to come forward with information.

Now Miss Grender’s parents have spoken out for the first time in a brief statement paying tribute to their daughter and unborn grand-daughter who was to be named Kelsey-May. They also joined police by issuing their own appeal for public help in hunting down the murderer.

“As a close family we are trying to come to terms with the tragic events which have led to the untimely death of our beautiful daughter Nikitta and grand-daughter Kelsey-May,” they said in the statement issued by Gwent Police.

Police confirmed yesterday that Miss Grender was murdered before the blaze was set at her flat, almost certainly in an effort to hide the killing.

Neighbours have told police that the flat’s fire alarm was triggered at around 5.30am on Saturday.

Friends have said how Nikitta and her boyfriend had moved to the flat less than six months ago and were excited about becoming parents.

Details of her death triggered a wave of grief which quickly turned to anger when it was revealed she had been murdered. Neighbours yesterday warned that emotions are now running so high on the estate that people could take the law into their own hands.