West Yorkshire Police are urgently appealing for help identifying a teenage girl who died after being discovered unconscious on a residential street in Leeds in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Officers were called to Kennerleigh Avenue in the Austhorpe area at 5.55am, where the young woman was found lying in the road with serious injuries. Despite receiving emergency treatment, she could not be saved and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
By Saturday evening, investigators had been unable to confirm her identity. In an effort to reach those who may know her, police released a detailed physical description of the victim. She is believed to be in her mid to late teens, standing 5ft 2ins tall, with a slim build and tanned skin. Her brown hair features darker roots that lighten towards the ends. She has green eyes and wears fixed metal braces on both her upper and lower teeth.
Detectives have said that establishing her identity remains a priority, as next of kin have yet to be informed of her death.
Four people were arrested in connection with the killing at an address near the scene. Those detained are two 18-year-old women, a 20-year-old man, and a 17-year-old boy — all held on suspicion of murder. All four remained in custody on Saturday as enquiries continued.
Detective Chief Superintendent Marc Bowes, who is leading the investigation through the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, described the case as “extremely complex.” He confirmed that a murder investigation had been formally opened and said officers were continuing to work to piece together the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death.
A cordon remains in place at the scene as forensic and investigative work continues.
Police are asking anyone who was in or around Kennerleigh Avenue during the early morning hours to come forward, as well as anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area. Those who believe they can identify the victim from the description provided are being urged to contact officers as a matter of urgency.
Information can be passed to the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team by calling 101 or via live chat at westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting log 280 of 28 March. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their website.
