Police have launched a murder investigation after Chloe Watson was found unconscious in Austhorpe, Leeds, in the early hours of Saturday morning and later died in hospital
Eliana Nunes and Caroline Hemmingham Audience Editor – Yorkshire Live
07:28, 30 Mar 2026
Chloe Watson died after she was found unconscious in the street in the early hours of Saturday
The cousin of a 16 year old girl who tragically died after being discovered with severe injuries has said her “whole life was taken in a flash over a boy”.
Police were called at 5.55am on Saturday to Kennerleigh Avenue in Austhorpe, Leeds, following the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious in the street, according to West Yorkshire Police. She had suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where she was declared dead shortly afterwards, the force stated. The girl has been publicly identified by family and friends as Chloe Watson. A senior investigating officer revealed that police are “treating her death as murder and have arrested four people in connection with it”.
In a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for Chloe, Shantelle Watson wrote: “My 16-year-old cousin’s life was sadly taken in tragedy. 16 years young. She didn’t even make it to her 18th – her whole life was taken in a flash over a boy. Her mum is distraught; she has left two younger siblings behind.”
She added: “I wanted to create a GoFundMe to help give her the best send off possible. She didn’t deserve this; she was so full of life, such an innocent, beautiful soul taken too soon.”
Public tributes posted on Facebook have demonstrated the community’s “heartbreak” over the young girl’s death, reports Leeds Live. One post read: “I am going to miss you, Chloe Watson. Sending love to your family, looking over everyone, especially your little sisters – you had so much love for them. Love you millions, my girl.”, reports the Mirror.
(Image: Facebook)
Another tribute stated: “Rest in peace, you beautiful girl, you are so loved and will continue to be loved forever. You will be forever missed and never forgotten. Your bubbly personality, your weird laugh, and your cringy jokes will forever be unmatched. You always made sure everyone was feeling loved, and we will continue to do that for you.”
Two 18 year old women, a 20 year old man and a 17 year old boy were taken into custody on suspicion of murder on Saturday. All four remain in police custody while a crime scene is established and officers conduct investigations.
Detectives were initially unable to identify the teenager, but announced on Sunday that she had been formally identified as a 16 year old girl from the Cleckheaton area. Her family have been informed and are receiving support from specially trained officers.
The senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Marc Bowes, said: “Following our appeal for further information yesterday, we have now identified the deceased as a 16-year-old girl from the Cleckheaton area. Her family have been informed and we are supporting them as they try to come to terms with what has happened.
“Our inquiries into the incident which led to her death are continuing, and I would appeal again to anyone who was in the Kennerleigh Avenue area in the early hours of yesterday morning to come forward if they have any information which could assist our investigation.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling 101 or using the online live chat facility, quoting log number 280 of March 28. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting the Crimestoppers website.
To make a donation to the fundraiser click here.
Get breaking news in Leeds straight to your phone
Get all the latest big and breaking Leeds news straight to your mobile via WhatsApp by clicking here.
If you don’t like our community, you can leave any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here.
