{"id":446946,"date":"2025-09-23T22:54:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T22:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/446946\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T22:54:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T22:54:20","slug":"forever-17-heartbreaking-tributes-to-teenage-girl-found-dead-two-days-before-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/446946\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Forever 17&#8217;: Heartbreaking tributes to teenage girl found dead two days before birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;She was a beautiful character and a clever little thing&#8221;<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1_JH_MEN_230925_Catherine_02.jpg\" alt=\"Catherine would've celebrated her 18th birthday just two days after she died at a property in Ashton-under-Lyne\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Catherine would&#8217;ve celebrated her 18th birthday just two days after she died at a property in Ashton-under-Lyne(Image: GMP)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a teenage girl <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/news\/greater-manchester-news\/murder-arrest-after-body-found-32529344\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">who was tragically found dead after going missing <\/a>in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/tameside\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Tameside<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">An investigation was launched following the death of Catherine Blackhurst, who had been reported as missing from Ashton-under-Lyne in the early hours of Saturday (September 20).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Enquiries led police to a property on Whalley Close at around 9am the following day, where Catherine died at the scene despite the best efforts of emergency services. She has since been formally identified following a Home Office post mortem.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">A man, aged 55, who was previously arrested on suspicion of murder <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/news\/greater-manchester-news\/murder-investigation-update-issued-police-32530663\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">has since been bailed pending further enquiries.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Never miss a story with the MEN&#8217;s daily Catch Up newsletter &#8211; get it in your inbox by signing up <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=b8052254-66af-41f3-9dae-7bbb0e3391c6&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/greater-manchester-police\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Greater Manchester Police<\/a> said investigators are &#8216;keeping an open mind&#8217; and are &#8216;following several lines of enquiry&#8217; while work continues to establish her cause of death. Witnesses and anyone with information are being urged to come forward.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">In heartbreaking tributes online, Catherine, who would&#8217;ve celebrated her 18th birthday on Tuesday (September 23) was remembered as a &#8216;beautiful character&#8217; and &#8216;talented&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2_JH_MEN_230925_Catherine.jpg\" alt=\"Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to Catherine after her tragic death\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to Catherine after her tragic death(Image: Submit)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">&#8220;This makes me feel sick. Cat was a beautiful girl turning 18 today so clever and talented and didn\u2019t deserve the cards she was dealt! R.I.P baby girl! Forever 17,&#8221; one tribute read.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Another person posted: &#8220;Such tragic news. I knew her when she was a bit younger and she was a beautiful character and a clever little thing. So very sad this has happened to a young girl with her whole life ahead of her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Join the Manchester Evening News <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WhatsApp<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> group <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/GY77Jy0SeCL8ZFZaNcWsVq\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HERELink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">As a third person penned: &#8220;I love you girl fly high you beautiful angel I will always carry you with me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Detective Chief Inspector Anna Barker, of Greater Manchester Police, said: \u201cOur investigation is progressing and we are working incredibly hard to support Catherine\u2019s friends and family during this tragic time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">\u201cWe know today would have been Catherine\u2019s 18th birthday, and getting the answers for Catherine\u2019s loved ones is at the forefront of the investigation team\u2019s minds.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_Ashton-under-lyne-murder-scene.jpg\" alt=\"Police outside a property where Catherine tragically died\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Police outside a property where Catherine tragically died(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">\u201cThe arrested man has been bailed pending further investigation as we progress all available lines of enquiry, such as forensics, to ascertain Catherine\u2019s cause of death.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">\u201cWe are still appealing for anyone who may have been in the area of Whalley Close on the Saturday and early hours of Sunday morning to come forward and assist us in our enquiries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">\u201cEvery piece of information, no matter how small it might seem, helps us build a clearer picture in this investigation. Anyone who has any information, CCTV, mobile phone or Ring doorbell footage is urged to contact police on 0161 856 9307 quoting the log number 802 of 21\/09\/2025 or online via <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"http:\/\/gmp.police.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"gmp.police.ukLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">gmp.police.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">\u201cInformation can also be shared with us anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"&#8220;She was a beautiful character and a clever little thing&#8221;Catherine would&#8217;ve celebrated her 18th birthday just two days&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":446947,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8813],"tags":[1379,748,393,4884,2465,1026,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-446946","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manchester","8":"tag-ashton-and-mossley","9":"tag-britain","10":"tag-england","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-manchester","13":"tag-tameside","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115256076901677201","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=446946"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446946\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/446947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=446946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=446946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=446946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}