Pregnant teenager found dead after flat fire had been stabbed

Gwent Police said a post-mortem examination on 19-year-old Nikitta Grender, who was eight months pregnant with a baby girl, revealed she had been stabbed.

Officers from Gwent Police and South Wales Fire Service were called to reports of a blaze in a flat in Broadmead Park in Liswerry, Newport, at 7.50am on Saturday.

Firefighters entered the heavily smoke-logged property and found the body of Ms Grender in the bedroom of the first floor flat. Her pet dog, a pug cross, also died in the fire.

Officers said that the weapon, believed to be a knife, had not yet been found. The scene is still cordoned off and is being examined by forensic teams.

Det Supt Geoff Ronayne of Gwent Police said: “This is an horrific crime where two innocent lives have been lost.

“Nikitta was two weeks away from giving birth to a baby girl. This is particularly callous and something we very rarely see.

“When Nikitta’s family should have been looking forward to the birth of her baby they are now absolutely grief-stricken.

“We know Nikitta was out with friends Friday evening and visited McDonald’s in the Spytty area during the evening, and we are establishing the exact time she was dropped back to her address, but we would urge anyone who was in the vicinity of Nikitta’s address in Broadmead Park, was with her or who saw her at any stage from 7pm on Friday February 4 onwards to get in touch.

“Someone must know who did this and we are urging members of the community to come forward and help us with this inquiry.”

A spokesman said that specially trained officers were supporting Ms Grender’s family.

Anyone with information should get in touch with police on 01443 865562 or 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Friend Luke Morgan told Sky News: “It was all she wanted, her own little family. I saw her on TV and I couldn’t believe it.”

Outside Ms Grender’s flat, where a number of floral tributes had been laid by friends and family, Mr Morgan continued: “She was over the moon, she would not wait. She had decorated the baby’s room and she had everything ready for the baby to be here.”

A group set up on Facebook for Ms Grender, called RIP Nikitta Grenda. never forgotten always loved, depicts a picture of a slender teenager which curly long brown hair.

A number of friends called Ms Grender Kit or Kitta and expressed their grief at the loss.

One friend, Chloe Flage-Swift, posted: “I am still very shocked that you are gone! You was a very pretty girl and always had a smile on your face when ever I seen you! You would of been a great mum to your little girl...”

Tina Lovesgavinbby wrote: “I’ll cherish those memories we had, the times we shared together, we had our ups and downs and so did u and my cousin, but theres not a moment where u wont be deeply missed, i will always remember the times we played in the park and in the tree house, you are so deeply missed.”

Det Supt Ronayne said it was one of the worst offences he had seen.

“We are working on the basis that this crime is locally based,” he said. “Somebody knows where the knife is and we urge them to come forward.

“Someone will know who is responsible. Please come forward to give us the information that we need.”