Man, 21, charged with the murder of glamour model Amy Leigh Barnes
A 21-year-old man was has been charged with the murder of ex-WAG and teenage glamour model Amy Leigh Barnes.
Ms Barnes was taken to hospital with stab wounds after police were called to her home in Farnworth, Bolton, on Saturday.
The 19-year-old died as a result of her injuries.
Ricardo Morrison, formerly of Birmingham, is due to appear before Bolton Magistrates’ Court today, Greater Manchester Police said.
The privately-educated Ms Barnes had just moved into her own flat after living with her parents.
She had taken part in photoshoots for Playboy and Cosmopolitan magazines, was a finalist in the Miss British Isles modelling competition in 2007 and in last year’s Model of the Year competition.
Friends say she had dated several Premier League footballers.
Tributes have flowed for Ms Barnes including from ex-boyfriend Premier League footballer Benni McCarthy.
Mr McCarthy said he was ‘devastated’ by the death of a good friend.
In a statement issued by his club, South African international Mr McCarthy, 31, said: ‘Amy Leigh was a friend of mine and I am obviously devastated to hear of this tragedy.
‘My condolences go out to her family and friends at this sad and difficult time.’
Meanwhile messages have been left by other footballers on a tribute page on Facebook.
Oldham Athletic player Paul Black wrote ‘r.i.p. x’, while West Bromwich Albion striker Ishmael Miller posted the message: ‘R.I.P. Amy Leigh.’
After leaving Lords Independent School, where her mother Karyn had worked as an art teacher, Ms Barnes studied performing arts at Pendleton Sixth Form College in Salford.
Head of admissions Paul Brown said: ‘Amy Leigh had a bright future ahead of her. She was very enthusiastic, very keen and talented – somebody with a personality so bright it just shone through.’
‘The whole body of staff and students are just shocked and deeply saddened. She was very popular, a very bright student. She made a memorable contribution during her time here.’
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