THE grieving family of a Camden schoolgirl, who was killed just a short distance from her home, have spoken of their anguish and shock. Popular Jessie Wright, 16, a pupil at Maria Fidelis convent school in Euston, was found dead in an alle

Ben McPartland

THE grieving family of a Camden schoolgirl, who was kill0ed just a short distance from her home, have spoken of their anguish and shock.

Popular Jessie Wright, 16, a pupil at Maria Fidelis convent school in Euston, was found dead in an alley near Outram Place, just north of Kings Cross railway station on Thursday.

A makeshift shrine with dozens of bouquets of flowers and candles has formed close to the spot where she was found - just a hundred yards from her home on the Bemerton Estate, Islington.

Last night scores of friends and family were expected to hold a candlelit vigil around Jessie's neighbourhood.

Her aunt Sarah Lucraft told the Ham&High: "We are all distraught. Her mum is absolutely devastated. Her heart has been ripped out. Jessie was bubbly, outspoken and full of life. Everyone loved her round here. She was a very popular girl. She was bright, intelligent and had her whole life ahead of her.

"We miss her and want her back. She was a beautiful girl. She did not deserve this."

Jessie's sister, Molly, 15 added: "She was really caring. I looked up to her and wanted to be like her. When she was last with me I was ill and she stayed in to look after me.

"She used to always ring me up and get me to tidy her room for her. I miss her."

The teenager's death is all the more tragic after managing to survive a serious illness earlier in her life.

After being struck down with pneumonia she had to be treated for fluid on her brain.

"She had to have three operations. We nearly lost her, but she fought through it," said Ms Lucraft.

"It was a struggle and now to lose her like this is tragic. It is terrible."

Jessie had plans to attend the London College of Beauty Therapy when she finished school.

A post mortem conducted at St Pancras Mortuary on Saturday gave the cause of her death as compression to the neck.

A 19-year-old man named as Zakk Sackett appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Monday charged with her murder.

The close-knit community is still in shock with one resident saying it had "come to a stand still" since word of Jessie's death spread last week.

Many friends and residents have visited the site where she was found. Her grandmother June wrote: "Jessie, you were such a special granddaughter, taken from us so soon. I miss you and love you so much."

And another tribute which summed up the mood around the neighbourhood said: "Jessie, you will be greatly missed. We can't believe this has happened to you."

Police are still appealing for help to trace Jessie's mobile phone, a black Samsung Tocco Lite, which has not yet been found.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020-8345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.