The father of a tragic nine-year-old who was killed while she danced to Taylor Swift in the Southport stabbing attack is so overwhelmed by grief he cannot speak – and has spent the last days clinging to his daughter’s things.
Little Alice DaSilva Aguiar was fatally stabbed in a knife rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop, dying alongside six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe.
They were among eleven children injured during the ‘ferocious’ scene, just minutes before the workshop was due to come to a close. Two have now been discharged, with five more in a stable condition.
A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been remanded in youth custody accused of their murders.
It comes as the friends of the other youngsters have paid emotional tributes to their lost pals.
Alice’s aunt, Albertina Freitas, told ITV News in Madeira, Portugal, that the little girl’s father has been left paralysed by his grief.
She said: ‘My brother-in-law is in such a state that he can’t even talk to the family. We try to talk to him but he doesn’t want to. He just clings to the girl’s things.
Little Alice DaSilva Aguiar was fatally stabbed in a knife rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop
Alice’s aunt, Albertina Freitas, told ITV News in Madeira, Portugal, that the little girl’s father has been left paralysed by his grief
Elsie’s teachers paid a heartbreaking tribute to a ‘kind and caring’ girl with a ‘super, beaming smile’
Alice dying alongside six-year-old Bebe King (pictured) and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe
A family friend of Alice’s parents spoke to the broadcaster by the Southport memorial, where flowers have been piled high along the road that witnessed the horror
Floral tributes on the junction of Tithebarn Road and Hart Street in Southport, near the scene where three children were fatally stabbed
‘We are not going through it directly, but we can imagine the pain my brother is experiencing. It is an immense pain.’
Talking about her sister, Ms Freitas added: ‘She doesn’t speak at all.’
The family are planning to release balloons in a mass service for her on Saturday at Quinta Grande Church in Madeira. Her grandparents were offered flights to attend her funeral by the Portuguese Consulate.
A family friend of Alice’s parents spoke to the broadcaster by the Southport memorial, where flowers have been piled high along the road that witnessed the horror.
She said: ‘I have been to see the parents yesterday, at their home to say sorry about that.
‘It’s not an easy thing to go – we have got kids as well so everyone can know we are together on this. We are here to support each other.’
Also at the police cordon, Elsie’s teachers paid a heartbreaking tribute to a ‘kind and caring’ girl with a ‘super, beaming smile’.
A framed photo was left at the police cordon by Farnborough Schools, made up of an infant and junior school in Farnborough Road, where she was a pupil.
A framed photo was left at the police cordon by Farnborough Schools, made up of an infant and junior school in Farnborough Road, where she was a pupil
Friendship bracelets made trendy by fans of US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift reading the names of the three victims Alice, Bebe, and Elsie and ‘Bigger than the sky’
Police officers and a police van block the vehicle entrance at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court where a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article
A mother hugs her child as they look at floral tributes for the victims of the deadly knife attack in Southport
Floral tributes on the junction of Tithebarn Road and Hart Street in Southport, near the scene where the children were killed
It reads: ‘It has always been a pleasure to have Elsie as part of our school.
‘From her nursery days being carried on dad’s shoulders into the playground, she was a girl with a super, beaming smile.
‘Elsie loved life, school and her friends. Her eyes lit up when she spoke.
‘Elsie was such a determined young lady who loved to please.
‘She was a kind and caring friend to all the children in her class and was always there to look after anyone who was upset.
‘She loved performing, singing, dancing and loved being on the stage.
‘She was adored by her friends and known by everyone in school due to the sparkle in her eyes, her infectious energy and charismatic personality.
‘It is difficult to put into words how amazing Elsie was and the impact she had on those around her.
A message from Liverpool FC is seen among floral tributes for the victims, sending their thoughts to all affected
A man and a child look at floral tributes as Southport continues to mourn the tragedy
Flowers and tributes outside the Atkinson Art Centre Southport to pay tribute to the three children
Teddy bears sit alongside the crowds of flowers as they unite to mourn the tragedy
‘We will miss you, Elsie. You were one of a kind.
‘You will always be a Farnborough girl.’
It comes two days after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil to remember the three young girls.
More than 5,000 tearful locals laid flowers outside the Merseyside town’s grand Atkinson building after falling silent to remember the tragic trio.
Among the bouquets, there were also a number of Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets. ‘Thinking of you all,’ a row of four of them spelt out.
Ahead of the vigil, the families and schools of the innocent girls who were fatally attacked by a crazed knifeman also released tributes.
In a statement, Bebe’s family said: ‘No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.’
The family of Alice Dasilva Aguiar added: ‘Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.’
Floral tributes are left for the victims of a deadly knife attack in Southport
HARTLEPOOL: An angry mob burnt down a police car which was left to perish in the flames
And the headteacher of Farnborough Road Infant School said they were ‘heartbroken and devastated’ by the death of pupil Elsie.
The head of the school trust attended by Alice and Bebe said the girls ‘will be in our hearts forever’.
False claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat had sparked riots across Southport shortly after the vigil, despite pleas from one of the victim’s mother’s for calm.
The misinformation is believed to have originated from a Russian-linked fake news website.
Violence erupted outside a mosque in the town with 53 police officers and three police dogs injured. Five men have been arrested following that incident.
After rioting broke out, Elsie’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: ‘This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight.
‘The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.’
Last night, clashes spread across Britain with London, Hartlepool and Manchester exploding into violence, with 100 thugs being attested in the capital.
Taylor Swift performs on stage during during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Anfield in Liverpool
The attack happened at a Taylor Swift themed yoga and dance workshop
Taylor Swift said she is ‘completely in shock’ after the ‘horror’ of the Southport knife attack
The day after the tragedy, Taylor Swift also posted an emotional message, following the knife attack at a dance class themed around her songs.
The American singer, 34, wrote on Instagram: ‘The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock.
‘The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders.
‘These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.’
Endeavour Learning Trust chief executive David Clayton said ‘no words can do justice to what has happened here in Southport’.
The trust contains Churchtown Primary School in Southport, which Alice and Bebe had both attended.
Churchtown Primary headteacher Jinnie Payne said the school had heard the ‘tragic news’ with ‘great sadness’, describing the stabbings as an ‘atrocity’.
In a statement, Mr Clayton said: ‘No words can do justice to what has happened here in Southport – and our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their children.
Residents look at floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack in Southport
Crowds gather around the flowers as Southport unites to mourn the children who died in the knife attack
‘No one should ever have to experience horror like this.
‘Our immediate focus now is on providing support to the community as we start to understand what has happened. The death of a child is always a desperate tragedy for a school, and particularly so under such circumstances.
‘We will come together as a community, offering each other support and care as we work through this difficult time.
‘Alice and Bebe will be in our hearts forever.’
Ms Payne said Alice, a Year 4 pupil at Churchtown, was the ‘happiest of souls, a true ray of sunshine’.
The Churchtown Primary headteacher added: ‘She was known and loved by everyone in our school community of 700 children, a testament to her unique ability to connect with others.
‘Alice’s radiant smile brightened our days, and she embraced every aspect of school life with enthusiasm and joy.
‘Her kindness, playful nature, and zest for trying new things will forever be remembered. Alice, you will always hold a special place in our hearts at Churchtown.’
Ms Payne said Bebe, a former pupil at the school, was a ‘joyful girl’ whose ‘kindness radiated through the entire Churchtown community’.
The headteacher added: ‘During her time at the school, Bebe’s considerate nature and her love of learning shone through in everything that she did.
‘Each day, she would come into school ready to grasp every opportunity available to her and fun and laughter were never far away whenever Bebe was involved.
‘Her considerate nature meant that she had many friends and she always ensured all children felt included, whether that was through play or working together in the classroom.
‘Bebe’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.’
