Newport Hit-and-Run Leaves Two Teenagers Dead as Murder Probe Continues

As police continue searching for a suspect in the murder investigation into the deaths of two teenagers in an alleged hit-and-run case in Newport, Wales, the victims have been identified. They were named as Jaydon Bowyer, 19, and Ta-Shay Canoville, 16.

The friends died after their motorbike was struck by a BMW on Aberthaw Road near a roundabout at about 1:30 a.m. on May 7. Paramedics pronounced both boys dead at the scene.

Police stated that the BMW owners fled the scene before officers arrived.

An 18-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman have since been arrested on suspicion of murder. A 24-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The deaths have shaken the Newport community, where hundreds of people gathered earlier this week to remember the two friends. Mourners released white and blue balloons, lit blue flares, and later held a fireworks display in tribute.

Family members and friends have shared emotional messages online as they struggled with their loss.

Jaydon’s mother, Sophie Paderson, said her son was her “firstborn, my whole world,” and she wrote, “You were the best boy ever. Everyone adored you.”Jaydon’s girlfriend, Rachael Stephenson, said she could not imagine “living in a world without you in it.”

“It still doesn't feel real, you were more to me than just a boyfriend,' she wrote in a Facebook tribute. “You were my happiness and the person who made my darkest days feel light again,” she added.

She said that the pair had planned a beautiful future together and added, “You had the purest heart. I’ll love your forver, my gorgeous boy.”

Ta-Shay’s father, Carl, posted a photograph of his son online with four broken heart emojis. His Sunday league football club, Odsal Rangers, also paid tribute before a match by holding a minute’s silence and wearing black armbands.

A GoFundMe page has been made to help cover funeral costs. It has, until now, raised more than £13,000. Newport councillor, Alex Pimm, urged people not to spread rumours while detectives investigate the crash.

“Two young lads have lost their lives,” he said. “My condolences are with their family and friends at this extremely sad and difficult time.”

Gwent Police has appealed for witnesses, as well as CCTV and dashcam footage recorded between midnight and 1:40 a.m. on May 7.