A mother seriously wounded in a brutal knife attack inside her family home, which claimed the life of her teenage daughter, has spoken of her anguish, saying she ‘wishes she fought harder’ to save her.
A Family Home Turned Crime Scene
The horrific incident occurred on the morning of Thursday, November 13, at a property in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, South Wales. Armed police were called to the address shortly after 7am.
Inside, they discovered 17-year-old Lainie Williams in her bedroom. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother, 38-year-old Rhian Stephens, was also seriously injured during the rampage and had to be airlifted to hospital for emergency treatment.
A Mother's Agonising Tribute
From her hospital bed, Rhian Stephens posted a devastatingly raw tribute to her daughter, Lainie Lea Louise, expressing how she was ‘still coming to terms with the tragic loss of my beautiful girl’.
She shared intimate memories of their life together, writing: ‘I miss sneaking in your bed and watching horror movies or trying to solve the cases of Law and Order! I miss you coming to give me a kiss goodnight every night without fail.’
Her words painted a picture of profound loss, stating: ‘I lost my most prized possession, you.’ She revealed that the family home is now just ‘a crime scene’, leaving her and her young son with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
In a poignant promise, she wrote: ‘In the summer you’re going to be a soft, cool breeze. Autumn you’ll be that gentle gust of wind rustling the leaves... and in the winter you’ll be the heat in my heart.’
A Chilling Warning to Other Families
Turning her personal tragedy into a public plea, Stephens urged parents to be vigilant. ‘I’d never want another mum to experience this type of pain,’ she said.
She directly addressed other families: ‘Guys please look after your sons and daughters and look for subtle changes in their moods. Sit there with a cuppa and check in on them.’
She also had a message for teenagers, advising: ‘Teenagers if you’re currently suffering in a relationship, speak up tell your parents they will listen.’ Her final, haunting request was: ‘Don’t let Lainie die in vain.’
Justice Process Begins
Cameron Cheng, an 18-year-old British national from Newbridge in Caerphilly County, has been arrested in connection with the attack. He faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article.
Appearing via video link from prison, Cheng spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, has set a trial date for May 11, 2026, with the case expected to last two to three weeks.
Gwent Police assistant chief constable Vicki Townsend acknowledged public interest in the case but urged people to be mindful of their online comments, as they could affect the judicial process. Police enquiries are ongoing.
