The parents of the two young girls who were murdered in a knife attack in Southport last year have spoken publicly about how they are coping and trying to find positivity in the aftermath of the tragedy. The families of six-year-old Bebe King, whose parents cannot be named for legal reasons, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot, the daughter of Jenni and David Stancombe, both spoke to The Sunday Times. They emphasised the victims’ unique personalities and their desire to be remembered for who they were rather than the details of their deaths.
Axel Rudakubana received a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years, one of the longest minimum terms on record, for the murder of both girls and 9-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar on 29 July. During the sentencing hearing, the girls’ injuries were described in detail, which some members of the families feel should not have occurred. The families said they did not want the girls’ murders to be televised, as they wanted people to remember them as their true selves.
The girls’ parents also spoke of how their children had impacted their lives and their grief since. Elsie’s father told of his daughter’s energetic nature and her adventurous spirit, while Bebe’s mother praised her innate kindness and spark. They shared memories of the girls’ love for their dance classes with Leanne Lucas, who was also stabbed but survived. The families spoke about how this tragedy has affected other children, including Elsie’s younger sibling. None of the parents have been able to return to work since the attack.
Last October, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Southport to offer their sympathies to the families and emergency services in person. The families welcomed the news that a public inquiry into the stabbings in Southport would take place, as announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on 21 January. In honour of Elsie, her parents established the charity “Elsie’s Story” to help children in need. Bebe’s family said they would try to live as full a life as they could for their daughter, who they described as the most positive, bubbly girl, whose light they would seek to honour
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