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Dad arrested over death of ‘superstar dancer’

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An eight-year-old girl knifed to death has been called a "superstar dancer" as police revealed her father has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Mylee Billingham was found with serious stab injuries and taken to hospital, but died soon afterwards.

Bill Billingham, 54, is in a critical condition in hospital after he was discovered with a stab wound to his stomach, and is expected to have surgery.

Image:Flowers and teddy bears have been left at the scene

The pair were discovered by police officers who were called to a house in Brownhills, near Walsall, in the West Midlands, at about 9.15pm on Saturday.

The suspect posted a picture of Mylee on his Facebook page, shortly before the emergency services were alerted, with the caption: "Pitza on bed lv moo x."

The schoolgirl is pictured in bed, smiling, with two plates of pizza.

A police forensics officer at the property in Brownhills
Image:A police forensics officer at the property in Brownhills

A post-mortem examination will take place later to establish the exact cause of Mylee's death.

West Midlands Police said Billingham is yet to be questioned by officers due to his condition.

Flowers and teddy bears have been left outside the property in memory of the child.

One tribute read: "Mylee, our superstar dancer, you will be the brightest star shining in the sky tonight. We will never forget your happy, smiling face. Fly high xxxx."

Another said: "We shouldn't be writing this!!! Fly high princess into the arms of the angels…taken far too young, your pretty face we will never forget."

Eight-year-old Mylee Billingham was taken to hospital with stab injuries but unfortunately nothing could be done to save her life, and she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving. Pic: West Midlands Police
Image:Mylee was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital

Neighbour Graham Greatrex, 74, who lives a few doors away in the same street, said that as he helped the schoolgirl's mother she told him a man had "stabbed my little girl".

He added: "She was in shock and she couldn't say anything else."

Detective inspector Jim Colclough said: "This is an absolutely tragic set of circumstances and my thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.

"We are still at the early stages of understanding exactly what happened and why – but I can confirm we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation."

Emergency services at the scene
Image:Emergency services at the scene

Bob Weir, whose home is two doors away from the bungalow where Mylee was stabbed, said a middle-aged man lived at the now sealed-off property, apparently on his own.

He said: "I was absolutely shocked – I didn't know the bloke who lived there and he hadn't lived there long, maybe six months, if that.

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"There were police cars both sides of the road, ambulances…all sorts."

He added: "I didn't know there were any kids in there. I thought he just lived on his own. I never saw a girl or a woman there."

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