‘Beautiful soul’: the memorial mural and bench for Elianne Andam, unveiled yesterday, a year since her death
A memorial bench and mural, close to the spot where she had been killed a year earlier, was a fitting tribute for “a beautiful soul taken to soon”.
Those were the words of the Bishop of Croydon, Rt Rev Dr Rosemarie Mallett, who attended to bless the image of Elianne Andam which was unveiled yesterday on Wellesley Road, outside the Whitgift Centre. Dozens of people attended to pay their respects despite the pouring rain.
Elianne Andam was 15 in September 2023 when she was fatally stabbed at a bus stop when on her way to school.
The mural features a painting of Elianne smiling.
“It was an honour to be asked to bless the image created in her memory,” the Bishop said.
“So many people have contributed to making this a living memory of a much-loved child of God.”
Elianne’s cousin, Rev Denzil Larbi, addressed the crowds and called for an end to knife violence.
“Every time you see her beautiful face, remember how beautiful her life was and how beautiful every child’s life is.
Lasting memorial: large crowds attended the unveiling ceremony on Wellesley Road, despite torrential rain
“But, when you walk past the mural I want you to hear her screaming ‘Put the knives down!'” he said.
Dorcas Andam, Elianne’s mother, thanked everyone for coming and said her daughter’s life had been “filled with love light and boundless potential”.
She said she wanted people to see the mural and remember “the person she was and that she lived a very happy life, rather than how she died.”
A Thornton Heath youth, Hassan Sentamu, 18, has been charged with the murder of Elianne Andam, and is expected to stand trial in November.
Elianne Andam was one of 11 people killed on the streets of Croydon in 2023. Four of the victims were aged 20 or younger.
Read more: ‘Our failure can be read on the headstones of dead youth’
Read more: Croydon in 2023: London’s borough with most murder victims
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Croydon artist, Alec Saunders, also known as “ALECLDN”, painted the mural