Today the first of three funerals takes place for the young girls who were stabbed to death during a dance lesson in Southport almost two weeks ago.
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar will be buried at 2pm at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merseyside.
Alice, who was described as “amazing, caring and confident”, was killed along with six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29.
A wake will be held at the Crossens Community Centre following the service and cremation. Her family said both are private events.
The 17-year-old suspect, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, has been charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder in connection with the tragedy.
Father John Heneghan, parish priest of St. Patrick Catholic Church, described Alice as “one of our most precious children.”
He said: “It will be deeply sad, but not only that, because we will also be investigating what her parents believe.
“Alexandra and Sergio, her mother and father, believe in the resurrection. They don’t believe that this is the end.
“They put it this way: ‘Let her dance in heaven’ because she loved to dance and that is a beautiful image.”
Father Heneghan also paid tribute to Elsie and Bebe and said his condolences go out to the families and everyone else affected by the knife attacks.
“Our deepest condolences go out to her family and the families of the other two girls who died, as well as those injured. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the horrific knife attacks in our city,” he said.
Soon after the attack, false claims about the suspect’s identity began to circulate online, with some posts speculating that he was a Muslim migrant who arrived in the UK by boat in 2023.
Right-wing extremist riots subsequently broke out across the country. Over 700 people were arrested and 300 were charged in connection with the violent unrest.
In Rotherham in South Yorkshire, a right-wing extremist mob attempted to set fire to a Holiday Inn Express where asylum seekers were suspected to be housed.
Cities such as Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham also saw widespread violence, with people being arrested for offences ranging from violent disorder to theft and anti-social behaviour.
