Police search for mobile of stabbed mother-to-be

The heavily pregnant 19-year-old was attacked at her flat in Broadmead Park, Liswerry, Newport, South Wales, on February 5.

She was stabbed twice and her flat set on fire by her killer in a desperate bid to destroy evidence.

Carl Whant, 26, was arrested on suspicion of the murder on Wednesday and continues to be questioned by police.

The former soldier, who worked as a bouncer in Newport, is the second cousin of Miss Grender’s boyfriend and father of her baby, Ryan Mayes, 18.

Gwent Police are appealing for help in locating Miss Grender’s missing Samsung Tocco SF80 mobile phone which is yet to be recovered despite intensive searches over the past week. Two knives have been found, however, in the hunt for the murder weapon and have been sent away for testing.

Officers said yesterday they had traced three potentially vital witnesses who were captured on CCTV in the Broadmead Park area have been tracked down.

Altogether 36 calls have been received in connection with their appeal and one remaining potential witness, seen walking on Fosse Road, Pontfaen, at 5.59am, has yet to come forward.

“That person could well hold vital information. Police would like him to get in touch as he may have seen something relevant to the investigation,” a police spokesman said.

Miss Grender was due to give birth to a baby girl next week. She and Mr Mayes had moved into their flat six months ago and had decorated a room for the baby, already named Kelsey-May.

Officers remained at the murder scene yesterday as the searches continued on the estate.

“Searches are continuing at two out of six premises searched, located across the city. House to house inquiries are continuing and forensic analysis is also continuing,” a police spokesman added.