A 17-year-old girl died from multiple stab wounds after an attack at her home, an inquest has heard.
Lainie Williams suffered several knife injuries at Wheatley Place, Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood in Caerphilly, at around 07:15 GMT on 13 November. Her mother, Rhian Stephens, 38, was also injured and required hospital treatment before being released.
Cameron Cheng, 18, of Newbridge, is due to stand trial in May 2026, charged with Lainie’s murder, the attempted murder of Mrs Stephens, and possessing a bladed article.
Speaking about the tragedy, Lainie’s family said they were “heartbroken” by her death.
Opening the inquest, Rose Farmer, area coroner for Gwent, said: “On November 13 2025, Rhian Stephens, Lainie’s mother, called 999 reporting that her daughter was being stabbed. Emergency services arrived at the scene and she was pronounced life extinct at the scene by paramedics. An inquest is being opened as this is a violent death.”
The inquest also heard from a Home Office pathologist, who said that “multiple sharp force injuries” were the provisional cause of death.
The inquest has been adjourned until August 2026 for further inquiries. Mr Cheng faces a three-week trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
