The family and friends of Alice da Silva Aguiar, a nine-year-old victim of the Southport knife attack, gathered at St Patrick’s Catholic Church to say their final goodbyes. The somber ceremony was a poignant reflection of a community in mourning and a family’s unbearable grief.
A Community in Mourning
Alice was one of three young victims tragically killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July. The attack also claimed the lives of Bebe King, aged six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, while injuring eight other children and two adults. Alice succumbed to her injuries in the hospital a day after the incident.
Her parents, Sergio and Alexandra Aguiar, were joined by hundreds of mourners who filled the church and gathered outside. Pink ribbons and balloons adorned the lampposts and garden walls around the area, symbolising the community’s shared sorrow and support.
Final Moments and Memories
During the service, Alice’s parents expressed their heartache, wondering if their daughter called out for them in her final moments. They shared a touching photograph of Alice, taken just before her death, smiling next to a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Taylor Swift at Hart Street Studios.
“We wonder if you ever thought of us, called for us, we wonder if you felt any pain. We hope not, my darling,” they said, encapsulating their deep sorrow and longing.
A Life Cut Short
Alice was remembered as a bright and loving child, who brought immense joy to her family. Her father, Mr. Lira, spoke about her transformation from a “princess to a pre-teen,” recalling their dreams for her future, including discussions about high school, growing up, and starting her own family.
“We talked about which high school you might attend, about growing up, having a big house with a garden and having children. Children who we will never help you raise. It hurts, we will never see you grow up,” he lamented.
Support and Solidarity
The service, broadcast through speakers for those outside the church, included a designated area for emergency services and other families affected by the attack. Alice’s parents expressed gratitude for the support from their community, vowing to seek answers about the tragic event.
Father John Heneghan, who led the funeral service, remembered Alice as a “wonderfully happy girl” who brought joy to her parents. He noted the lasting impact of the attack on the town, describing residents as “very bruised” and “horrified” by the violence.
Tributes from School
Alice’s head teacher, Jinnie Payne of Churchtown Primary School, described Alice as a “curious girl” who “never forgot the details.” Ms. Payne shared that one of Alice’s teachers had named her baby after Alice, a tribute that deeply moved her mother.
A Final Farewell
In a heartfelt closing, Mr. Lira read a message to his daughter: “For now, our beloved angel, keep dancing. Mummy and Daddy will always, always love you.”
As the cortege arrived, the gathered crowd released balloons and bubbles, and a round of applause broke out, honouring the memory of a vibrant young girl whose life was tragically cut short.
Further Reading
