THE results of an independent inquiry into the supervision of a Bolton teenager who killed her friend while in social services care are due to be released next week.

Nicola Faughey was just 16 when she stabbed 35-year-old Joanne Whitelegg 27 times in a frenzied attack at her flat in Westwood Close, Farnworth.

Paramedics found Faughey cradling Miss Whitelegg's body in her arms at the foot of the stairwell on Valentine's Day, 2000.

The teenager was jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court more than a year later after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

An inquiry by Wigan and Bolton Health Authority was then ordered to look at Faughey's treatment and care by Bolton's social services department and to examine whether she was appropriately supervised in care.

The inquiry was also ordered to discover whether the teenager posed a risk to others.

The results of the long-awaited report are due to be released by the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority next Wednesday -- 10 days before the third anniversary of the horrific killing.

The court heard Faughey had used three different weapons to stab Miss Whitelegg to death.

She had complained to social services bosses in Bolton that she was being hounded by Faughey.

The court was told the teenager had set fire to Miss Whitelegg's front door and cut her electricity supply but she had not taken the matter any further. Over time the pair became close friends.

Miss Whitelegg's family believe Faughey had formed a bizarre infatuation with her and became increasingly possessive, seeing Miss Whitelegg as a mother figure, although she continued to deny the charge until her trial.