Forensic teams search home after boy, 13, was stabbed to death

Forensic teams have searched a home after a 13-year-old boy was stabbed to death in a country park as his sister vowed to ‘get justice’.

The investigation continued in Berkshire today, two days after Olly Stephens died at the beauty spot near his family’s four-bedroom home in a leafy suburb.

Rumours have been circulating that the teenager had been lured into a trap in Emmer Green near Reading in a disastrous attempt to ‘teach him a lesson’.

A girl and four boys aged 13 and 14 were still in custody today after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. 

Olly’s 16-year-old sister Emilia posted on Instagram: ‘I’m so sorry I failed you, I wish I could have saved you from it all. We will get justice for you my angel.’ 

Olly Stephens, 13, was identified as the victim of Sunday’s attack in Emmer Green, Berkshire

Forensic teams searched a home in Berkshire yesterday as the investigation continues

Forensic teams searched a home in Berkshire yesterday as the investigation continues

Officers were called just before 4pm on Sunday following reports of a stabbing in Bugs Bottom fields in Emmer Green, two miles north of Reading city centre.

Witnesses said passers-by desperately tried to revive Olly while they waited for paramedics. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The park is only 250 yards from the £670,000 home Olly shared with his sister, mother Amanda, who works in HR, and father Stuart, both aged 51.

Parents outside Highdown School, where Olly had been due to rejoin his classmates tomorrow morning, described the killing as ‘utterly senseless’. 

Police searching at the scene in Emmer Green today where 13-year-old Olly was stabbed

Police searching at the scene in Emmer Green today where 13-year-old Olly was stabbed

Police at the scene in Berkshire today as investigations continue into the death of the teenager

Police at the scene in Berkshire today as investigations continue into the death of the teenager

Police at the scene in Emmer Green today where the 13-year-old was stabbed to death

Police at the scene in Emmer Green today where the 13-year-old was stabbed to death

Several bouquets of flowers were laid, with one card reading: ‘Dearest Olly, Taken way too soon, you were such a lovely lad. Loved by many. Thinking and sending love to your family at this sad time.’

Headteacher Rachel Cave said staff and students had been left ‘reeling’ by the death of the popular pupil.

In a statement, she said: ‘For a life to be ended 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.’ 

Police at the fields backing onto Reading Golf Club in Emmer Green, Berkshire, yesterday

Police at the fields backing onto Reading Golf Club in Emmer Green, Berkshire, yesterday

Floral tributes and a card left at the scene in Emmer Green yesterday after the stabbing

Floral tributes and a card left at the scene in Emmer Green yesterday after the stabbing

Floral tributes left outside Highdown School in Emmer Green yesterday, where Oliver attended

Floral tributes left outside Highdown School in Emmer Green yesterday, where Oliver attended

Police were guarding a large cordon around the crime scene yesterday, with forensics officers using a small tent.

Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading East, told of his shock at the killing as he attended the scene yesterday.

He said: ‘This is a very quiet area, a suburban area on the edge of town and typically on a Sunday afternoon, when the incident happened, you would have a lot of families, people walking their dogs in this country park, a well-known beauty spot which is very quiet and pleasant.’

One man, who declined to give his name, said his wife was walking their dog through the park when she saw a boy on the ground with several people gathered around.

Floral tributes and a card to the boy have been left outside Highdown School in Emmer Green

Floral tributes and a card to the boy have been left outside Highdown School in Emmer Green

Officers stood guard at police cordons erected at Bugs Bottom Fields yesterday morning

Officers stood guard at police cordons erected at Bugs Bottom Fields yesterday morning

Police survey the area as forensic tents are set up at Bugs Bottom in Emmer Green yesterday

Police survey the area as forensic tents are set up at Bugs Bottom in Emmer Green yesterday

They were trying to give him first aid and the boy’s face was ‘very white’, his wife told him. 

Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown of Thames Valley Police said: ‘This remains a very active investigation and a large scene-watch remains in place.

‘We have arrested five young people in connection with this tragic incident, but I would urge anybody who has any information surrounding what happened yesterday to please make contact with Thames Valley Police.’

Police Federation chairman John Apter said of the incident on Twitter: ‘Horrific, so many lives will be shattered by this. Society does indeed need to take a look at itself.’