Family and hundreds of mourners gather to pay tribute to nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, whose tragic death at a dance class sparked nationwide riots

Southport came together in mourning as the funeral for nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar drew hundreds of mourners to St Patrick’s Catholic Church. Alice, one of the young victims of a horrific knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, was remembered as a “beloved angel” by her grieving parents, Sergio and Alexandra.

The streets of Southport were lined with mourners dressed in white, reflecting the innocence and joy that Alice brought to those who knew her. The sombre procession began with a horse-drawn carriage carrying Alice’s coffin, moving slowly through the town as nearly 300 people, including paramedics, police officers, and firefighters who had tried to save her life, followed in silent respect.

During the service, Alice’s parents shared an emotional tribute, describing their daughter as their “perfect dream child” who had a deep passion for dance. The family also released a final photo of Alice, taken on the day of the attack, showing her eagerly waiting outside the dance class. In the picture, Alice, wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Vacay Vibes,” smiles brightly next to a life-size cut-out of Taylor Swift, unaware of the tragic fate that awaited her.

Alice’s death, along with that of six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, has left a deep scar on the community. The girls, excited for the start of their summer holidays, were killed in an act of senseless violence that has sparked both national outrage and profound sorrow.

The funeral also served as a platform for Alice’s family to address the riots that erupted across the UK following the attack. In a powerful statement, they condemned the violence that had been carried out in Alice’s name, urging the nation to remember the young girls with love and peace rather than anger. They called for unity and healing, emphasizing that their daughter’s memory should inspire compassion, not hatred.

The funeral marked the first of three services for the victims, each of which is expected to draw similar outpourings of grief and support. The attack has led to widespread reflection on the state of the nation, with many questioning how such a tragedy could have occurred and what can be done to prevent future incidents.

As the service concluded, mourners released white balloons into the sky, a symbol of Alice’s spirit ascending to a place of peace. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, also addressed the nation, condemning the use of Christian imagery by far-right groups during the riots and calling for an end to the violence.

The tragedy has already prompted government action, with plans announced to overhaul the school curriculum to teach children about identifying extremist content and fake news. This initiative aims to prevent such events from spiraling into further chaos, as misinformation played a significant role in fueling the unrest that followed the attack.

As Southport continues to mourn, the nation faces a period of introspection, grappling with the need for both justice and healing in the wake of this devastating event.

The Independent

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Southport to pay their respects to Alice da Silva Aguiar, the nine-year-old girl tragically killed in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29. The attack, which also claimed the lives of six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, sparked nationwide riots after false information spread online about the perpetrator.

Alice’s parents, Sergio and Alexandra, described their daughter as their “beloved angel” and a “perfect dream child” in a heartfelt tribute during the funeral at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merseyside. The family released a final photo of Alice, showing her smiling outside the dance class with a life-size cut-out of Taylor Swift, just moments before the fatal attack.

Emergency workers, including paramedics, police officers, and firefighters who responded to the incident, joined the family and approximately 300 mourners in honouring Alice. The funeral was the first of three services for the young victims, with Alice’s parents expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community and the country.

The service was marked by poignant moments, including a tribute that highlighted Alice’s love for dance and the strong bond within her family. Her parents urged their daughter to “keep dancing” in spirit, emphasizing the importance of community and mutual support in the face of tragedy.

The stabbing incident, which has deeply affected the Southport community, led to widespread riots across the UK fueled by misinformation. The violence has drawn condemnation from leaders, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, who denounced the exploitation of Christian imagery by far-right groups during the unrest.

Alice’s funeral comes as the UK grapples with the aftermath of the riots, with ongoing discussions about how to prevent such violence in the future.

Sky News

The funeral for nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, one of the victims of the tragic Southport stabbing, took place in Southport at St Patrick’s Catholic Church. Alice, along with six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, was killed in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.

Alice’s parents, Sergio and Alexandra, released a poignant final photo of their daughter smiling next to a cardboard cutout of Taylor Swift on the day of the attack. At the service, they remembered her as their “perfect dream child” with a “kind nature” and a love for animals and the environment. They expressed their heartbreak over her loss and the sorrow of not seeing her grow up.

The funeral drew hundreds of mourners, including members of the public, uniformed police officers, and Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy. The procession featured a horse-drawn carriage carrying Alice’s white coffin, and the service was relayed on loudspeakers for those gathered outside.

In a statement, Alice’s parents condemned the far-right riots that erupted in the wake of the attack, which were fueled by misinformation online. The suspect in the stabbings, Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder.

The funeral for Alice was a deeply emotional event, with tributes from her headteacher and family members, who celebrated her life and the joy she brought to those around her.

The Telegraph

The parents of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, who was tragically killed in a knife attack in Southport, paid a heartfelt tribute to their daughter at her funeral on Sunday. They described Alice as their “perfect dream child” and shared a collection of photographs celebrating her life.

Hundreds of mourners, including family, friends, and uniformed officers, lined the streets as a white horse-drawn carriage carried Alice’s small white coffin to St Patrick’s Catholic Church. The coffin, adorned with pink roses, was a poignant symbol of the love and loss felt by all who knew her.

During the service, which was relayed to those gathered outside, Alice’s parents expressed their deep sorrow and cherished memories. They spoke of her kind nature, love for animals, and how she brought joy and comfort to their lives. Alice’s headteacher and the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police also paid tribute, highlighting her radiant smile and enthusiasm for life.

The community’s support was evident, with pink ribbons and balloons decorating the streets. The family’s pain and their quest for answers were also poignantly conveyed in their tribute, as they vowed to remember and honour Alice forever.