The father of an 11-year-old schoolgirl who was stabbed to death has said: “We are utterly devastated.”
Detectives are quizzing a 51-year-old relative of Jasmine Forrester over her alleged murder.
She “lost her fight for life” in hospital on Friday afternoon after she was found seriously injured at a property in Wolverhampton, West Midlands Police said.
Jasmine’s father, Simeon Forrester said: “This is a hugely tragic time for our family and the loss we feel is unexplainable. We are utterly devastated.
“Jasmine was a shining star and a huge part of us. We would really like to be left alone at this time while we come to terms with what has happened.”
Jasmine Forrester (West Midlands Police/PA)
The youngster was found just before 1am with injuries including a serious head wound after a neighbour heard a disturbance.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be held on Sunday.
A woman in her 80s also suffered a dislocated shoulder during the incident in Kent Road and was treated in hospital.
The house remains cordoned off to allow forensic experts to conduct an examination, police said.
Superintendent Harvi Khatkar said: “This is an extremely distressing incident and our sympathies go out to everyone affected.
“We are working to establish exactly what has happened, and fully understand the impact that this will have on the community.
“But we do believe this is an isolated incident, and we are not looking for anyone else.”
A woman who lives over the road from the house where the incident is believed to have happened said an injured elderly woman banged on her front door at about 1am seeking help.
Police tape outside the property (Aaron Chown/PA)
The neighbour, who asked not be named, said: “My son answered the door. The woman was wearing a dressing gown and said the little girl had been attacked.
“We haven’t heard any more about how the lady is. I don’t know her first name – she asked for help and she was very upset.”
Another neighbour said: “All we know is what the police have said. I had seen a girl go in and out of the house and she was always smiling.
“It’s just a terrible thing to happen.”