A talented teenage singer who appeared on the television show Stars in Their Eyes and who had just finished studying for her A-Levels has been found dead at her home along with her mother and brother.
Kesha Wizzart, 18, her brother Fred, 13, and their mother Beverley Samuels, a 35-year-old nurse at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, were discovered by police last night suffering serious head injuries at their home in Thelwall Avenue in Fallowfield, south Manchester. Greater Manchester Police have launched a murder inquiry.
Kesha was an aspiring vocalist who once appeared on the ITV programme Junior Stars in their Eyes, and sang a Toni Braxton track.
A bright and popular student, she attended Parrswood Sixth Form College where she studied A-Levels in English Language, Law and Philosophy. She finished her exams a few weeks ago, and was believed to have wanted to go to university to study law.
Kesha, who dreamed of a singing career, was 15 when she took part in the children’s version of the ITV talent show. Although she did not win, her voice impressed judges. She used the picture of her singing on her Facebook profile page.
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Her brother, Fred, 13, was an avid Manchester United fan, whose school issued a statement describing him as an “outstanding” pupil today who regularly won academic awards.
Late last night Beverley’s estranged husband, Fred senior, was taken to the house and neighbours said he was walking outside with his head in his hands. “He looked absolutely distraught,” said one.
Officers cordoned off several properties at a junction close to the home and a tent was erected over the doorway by scene of crime officers.
Posting on her Facebook page earlier this month, Kesha wrote how happy that she was that she had just finished her college exams and was looking forward to the summer. “I’ve bin great! not so long ago finished exams and have been ‘livin life’ eva since,” she wrote.
On the page, Kesha, whose family are of Afro-Caribbean origin, lists her favourite activities as: “Being a recluse... when not doing that kesha enjoys playing netball with the guardian angels... swimming... thai boxin (incase she needs to open a can of whoop ass!)...runnin (away from reality)... badminton... dancin n singin :).” She also said she believes in “God, but not religion”.
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She listed her interests as “life, hunman nature music poety great cionvesrations contemplation philosphisin books politics generally being active, sport football going to concerts.”
Her friends paid tribute to her today. In one posting on her wall, a friend wrote: “To our beautiful princess, always smiling, always happy. So glad i had the chance to get to know you for the wonderful girl you are. You will forever remain in our thoughts and our hearts. Rest in peace love always Saira, Mamoona and Mariam x x x”
Another posted a message saying: “Every1 is gonna miss you Sooooo much.... whoever did this to you and your mother and brother will be judged by god almighty... R.I.P. You are all in a better place now so all we can do is pray for you and keep our memories of you very very much alive! luv u xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”
One young mother, a neighbour, who refused to give her name, spoke briefly of the community’s shock at the brutal deaths.
Speaking as she took her children to school, the young woman said: “We are all friends down on this street. It has just come completely out of the blue. I’m absolutely gobsmacked, she was a good friend and a lovely woman. It’s awful to hear what has happened to her.”
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Margaret FitzGerald, a pensioner, said: “Little Fred used to play with my grandson Sean all the time. He was in and out of my house. I would give him biscuits and sweets and he was Manchester United mad.
“My daughter rang me this morning, she had heard on the radio it was a woman and two teenage children and she told me it must be Freddie. I can’t believe it.
“He was such a nice little fellow. He went to a special school and the bus used to pick him up every morning. He played with all the children in the street on his bike. I have been crying all night. It’s hard to believe when it happens on your own doorstep. They were a nice family.”
In a statement this afternoon, Manchester Royal Infirmary, where Mrs Samuels worked as a nurse since 2001, said she was “very popular” and her colleagues were “devastated” by her death.
“Everyone at the Trust was shocked and saddened to hear of Beverley’s death and our thoughts are with her family,” it said.
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“Beverley had worked in the NHS since 2000, and at this Trust since April 2001. She was a very popular member of the team, liked and well respected by her colleagues, who are all devastated by the news. Beverley was a committed and hard-working nurse, who will be sadly missed.”
Fred’s school, St John Vianney, issued a statement today describing their horror at his death. “The whole school community at St John Vianney School are in deep shock at the news of the death of Fred Wizzart,” the statement said.
“He was a treasured member of the school. Fred was an outstanding pupil who regularly achieved awards for both academic work and his significant contributions to school life.
“A very popular member of his class who was respected for his kindness, gentleness and mature attitude to life.
“He will be greatly missed and we would ask people to keep the family in their prayers.”
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Greater Manchester Police Superintendent Paul Savill said at a lunchtime briefing: “We’ve got strong lines of inquiry, which multiple officers have been called into the metropolitan division to investigate. Those positive lines of inquiry, for the integrity of the investigation, are something I won’t allude to at this time.”
He said they did not have any evidence of a “wider threat to the community” but said additional police patrols would be operating in the area. The deaths are not believed to be gang-related.