Pregnant teenage fire victim was stabbed

Police investigating the murder of a heavily pregnant teenager found dead after a flat fire said today she had been stabbed.

Gwent Police said a post-mortem examination on 19-year-old Nikitta Grender, who was eight months pregnant with a baby girl, revealed she had been stabbed.

Officers from Gwent Police and South Wales Fire Service were called to reports of a blaze in a flat in Broadmead Park in Liswerry, Newport, at 7.50am on Saturday.

Firefighters entered the heavily smoke-logged property and found the body of Ms Grender inside the bedroom of the first floor flat. Her pet dog, a pug cross, also died in the fire.

Officers said that the weapon, believed to be a knife, has not yet been found. The scene is still cordoned off and is being examined by forensic teams.

Detective Superintendent Geoff Ronayne of Gwent Police said: "This is an horrific crime where two innocent lives have been lost.

"Nikitta was two weeks away from giving birth to a baby girl. This is particularly callous and something we very rarely see.

"When Nikitta's family should have been looking forward to the birth of her baby they are now absolutely grief stricken.

"We know Nikitta was out with friends Friday evening and visited McDonald's in the Spytty area during the evening, and we are establishing the exact time she was dropped back to her address, but we would urge anyone who was in the vicinity of Nikitta's address in 51 Broadmead Park, was with her or who saw her at any stage from 7pm on Friday February 4 onwards to get in touch.

"Someone must know who did this and we are urging members of the community to come forward and help us with this inquiry."

A spokesman said that specially trained officers are supporting Ms Grender's family.

Anyone with information should get in touch with police on 01443 865562 or 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.