The funeral has taken place of six-year-old Bebe King. She was the youngest victim of the Southport stabbings.
The little girl was killed in a mass stabbing that also saw Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, lose their lives after a Taylor Swift-themed dance event on July 29. Bebe’s family had requested a private funeral.
The MP for Southport encouraged wellwishers to “light a candle in Bebe’s memory” on Saturday. Bebe’s mother and father, Lauren and Ben King paid tribute to their little girl earlier this month.
They said she “was full of joy, light and love”, and will remain in their hearts as a “sweet, kind and spirited girl”. The couple said Bebe’s older sister Genie, nine, witnessed the attack and managed to escape, and praised her “incredible strength and courage”.
In a post on social media, Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “Today is the funeral of Bebe King. My thoughts and prayers are with her family through this difficult time.
“In honoring their wishes for a private funeral, I encourage anyone who wishes to pay their respects to light a candle in Bebe’s memory and to work for a better future.” Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with the murder of the three girls at the Hart Space in Southport.
He is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes, and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade. The incident sparked nationwide disorder.