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The brutal slaying of Lilia Valutyte: Girl, 9, stabbed to death as she played with sister just 'yards from mom'

Two people have been arrested as part of a murder investigation into what police are calling an 'isolated incident'

A nine-year-old girl stabbed to death in Lincolnshire, the UK, has been named by police as Lilia Valutyte. The girl, a Lithuanian national, was found dead in Fountain Lane in Boston at about 6.20 pm on Thursday, July 28. Lilia was playing in the street with her sister, five, just "yards away from their mother" before tragedy struck. The locals were left in utter shock and disbelief when they found out about the unfortunate incident. Two people have been arrested as part of a murder investigation into what police are calling an "isolated incident".

Lina Savicke, Lilia's mother, worked on her tablet as she tried to keep a watchful eye over her girls when the two were playing. The nine-year-old died after suffering a single stab wound on a quaint high street lane, just outside a recruitment agency that Savicke had worked for. Devastated residents described seeing a discarded toy pram, understood to belong to Lilia's sibling, at the crime scene late on Thursday.

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According to Daily Mail, others said Savicke had spent several months working from a desk near the murder scene and had often let the children play outside as it was usually 'a quiet street'. The spot is just a 15-minute walk from the family home and near to premises where the mother had links to a business. “Her mum had a business inside. She worked from a desk on her laptop and had been doing it for a couple of months. It’s only a quiet street so she would let them play outside. I think they had a hula-hoop and dolly’s pushchair. I’m sure she would have been inside”, one source told The Sun. “It’s horrific. I spoke to Lilia at 4 pm yesterday and she said, ‘Goodbye, see you tomorrow’”, said another local who knows the family extremely well.

Chief Supt Kate Anderson, of Lincolnshire Police, said, “Our thoughts continue to be with Lilia’s family and friends. If any members of the public have information that might assist please call, or they can report anonymously via Crimestoppers”. The senior officer had described the nine-year-old's death as an "utter tragedy". Those who wish to leave flowers and tributes can leave them at the corner of Fountain Lane and Fountain Place, police said. Home Secretary Priti Patel described the incident as "appalling".

Matt Warman, the Conservative MP for Boston and Skegness, said he had been in contact with the policing minister to ensure national assistance is available to the murder investigation. Writing on Twitter on Thursday evening, he said: "Profoundly shocking news in Boston this evening. "I have spoken to senior officers locally and am hugely grateful for all the emergency services' work. I have also been in contact with policing minister Tom Pursglove to ensure that any national help that might be useful is made available as quickly as possible."