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The sister of a 13-year-old boy who was stabbed to death yesterday in a rural park promised to “do justice.”
Olly Stephens died in the beautiful setting near her family’s four-bedroom home in a leafy Berkshire suburb.
Rumors circulated yesterday that the teenager had been lured into a trap in a disastrous attempt to “teach him a lesson.”
A girl and four boys ages 13 and 14 were in custody last night on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.
Oliver Stephens, 13, (pictured) was identified as the victim of the attack in Emmer Green, Berkshire.
Police officers on the fields backtracking to Reading Golf Club in Emmer Green, Berkshire, today
Olly’s sister, Emilia, 16, posted on Instagram: ‘I’m so sorry I failed you, I wish I had saved you from everything. We will do you justice, my angel.
Officers were called just before 4 p.m. Sunday following reports of a stabbing in the Bugs Bottom fields on Emmer Green, two miles north of downtown Reading.
Witnesses said that bystanders desperately tried to revive Olly while waiting for paramedics. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The park is just 250 yards from the £ 670,000 house that Olly shared with his sister, his mother Amanda, who works in human resources, and his father Stuart, both 51.
Parents outside the Highdown School, where Olly was supposed to meet his classmates tomorrow morning, described the murder as “absolutely senseless.”
Several bouquets of flowers were placed, with a card that read: ‘Dearest Olly, Taken too early, you were such a lovely boy. Loved by many. Thinking and sending love to your family in this sad moment. ‘
Floral tributes and a card left at the scene in Emmer Green, Berkshire, today after the stabbing
Floral tributes left outside Highdown School in Emmer Green today, where Oliver attended
Floral tributes and a card were left for the child outside Highdown School in Emmer Green
Officers stood guard at the police cordons erected at Bugs Bottom Fields this morning
Principal Rachel Cave said staff and students were “stunned” by the popular student’s death.
In a statement, he said: ‘For a life to end at such a young age is a total tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
“Many have been deeply affected by this tragedy.”
A girl who met Olly in elementary school said he had been “a huge rugby fan” who had played on the school team.
She added: ‘In his last grade school play, he was Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.
“He had many friends and he was a kind and compassionate boy.
Police inspect the area as forensic tents are set up at the Bugs Bottom field in Emmer Green today
Police on the scene at the Bugs Bottom fields in Emmer Green this morning after the stabbing
A friend of mine was upset about something once and I remember Olly comforting her and telling her everything was going to be okay. It was really nice. ‘ Another friend said: ‘At the end of the year-end talent show he was playing Disney tunes on his electric guitar. Everyone really liked it.
Police were guarding a large cordon around the crime scene yesterday, with forensic officers using a small tent.
Matt Rodda, a Labor MP from Reading East, recounted his shock at the murder while attending the scene yesterday.
He said: ‘This is a very quiet area, a suburban area on the outskirts of the city and usually on Sunday afternoons when the incident happened there would be a lot of families, people walking their dogs in this rural park , a well-known place of beauty that is very quiet and pleasant. ‘
One man, who declined to give his name, said his wife was walking her dog in the park when she saw a child on the ground with several people gathered around.
Forensic officers in the police tent at Bugs Bottom Field in Emmer Green, Berkshire, today
A police officer watches as a forensic tent is set up at the Bugs Bottom field in Emmer Green today
Police on a cordon next to the Bugs Bottom fields in Emmer Green this morning
Police set up forensic tent at Bugs Bottom Field in Emmer Green, Berkshire, today
The teenager died at the scene after police were called. Errors The lower fields are displayed today
They were trying to give him first aid and the boy’s face was “very pale,” his wife told him. Thames Valley Police Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown said: ‘This continues to be a very active investigation and heavy surveillance of the scene is being maintained.
“We have arrested five youths in connection with this tragic incident, but I urge anyone with any information on what happened yesterday to contact Thames Valley Police.”
The President of the Police Federation, John Apter, said about the incident on Twitter: “Horrible, many lives will be destroyed by this.
“Society, in fact, needs to examine itself.”
A police car blocks a road on Emmer Green near Reading in Berkshire this morning
Police on a cordon next to the Bugs Bottom fields in Emmer Green this morning
