Man, 22, charged with Christmas Eve murder of ‘beautiful’ Elle Edwards

A 22-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Elle Edwards, who was shot dead at a pub on Christmas Eve, Merseyside Police said.

Connor Chapman, of Woodchurch, Wirral, has also been charged with two counts of attempted murder, three counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and handling stolen goods.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Wirral Adult Remand Court on Friday.

A 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail pending further inquiries, police said.

Ms Edwards, a 26-year-old beautician, was fatally shot at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Wirral, shortly before midnight on December 24.

Her father Tim Edwards read out a statement on behalf of the family at a press conference held by Merseyside Police five days after the shooting.

He said: “There was no-one as beautiful as our Elle May – her looks, her laugh, and the way she would light up a room as soon as she walked in.

“She had this way about her that as soon as you met her, you just instantly fell in love with her, everyone that met Elle knew how special she was.

“She was only just getting started. Christmas and our family will never be the same again without her. She was the glue that held this big family together, from all of us.”

Ms Edwards is not believed to have been the intended target of the attack, in which four men were also hurt.

Three other people have already been arrested in connection with the murder.

A 31-year-old man from Tranmere, Wirral, and a 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry, Wirral, were held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and bailed pending further inquiries.

A 30-year-old man from Tranmere, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, was recalled to prison on licence.