“The Three Young Children Were Full of Life and Energy” Inquests Opened for Girls Killed at Dance Party
The inquests into the deaths of three young girls, described as “full of life and energy,” who tragically died following a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift dance party, have been opened. Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice DaSilva Aguiar, nine, lost their lives after a knifeman attacked the Hart Space dance studio on Hart Street in Southport on July 29, told The Mirror.
Senior coroner Julie Goulding formally opened the inquests at Bootle Town Hall on Wednesday, August 7. In adjourning the inquests to allow the criminal process to proceed, Ms. Goulding expressed the profound impact of the tragedy. “It is impossible to adequately articulate the devastating, lifelong effects the truly tragic events of Monday, July 29, 2024, have had, and will continue to have, on the parents, families, and friends of Elsie, Bebe, and Alice, who cruelly lost their young lives in such horrific circumstances,” she said. “The three young children were full of life and energy and will be missed beyond any description my woefully inadequate words may attempt to describe. I therefore offer my deepest condolences to Elsie’s, Bebe’s, and Alice’s parents, families, and friends, and those heartfelt condolences of all of my staff here at the coroner’s court”, according to The Daily Mail.
James Martindale, the coroner’s assistant, provided details of the incident. “On Monday, July 29, 2024, a group of 26 children attended a dance studio on Hart Street for a dance party. At some time between 11:40 am and 11:50 am, a male identified as Axel Rudakubana entered the premises and is alleged to have started attacking those present. Three children tragically died, and other children and adults were injured, some critically. Axel Rudakubana was detained at the scene and later charged with Elsie’s, Bebe’s, and Alice’s murders.”
Mr. Martindale confirmed the identification and times of death for each child. Bebe, identified by Police Constable Claire Williams through her clothing and a recent photograph, was pronounced dead at 1:03 pm by Doctor Gary Fitzpatrick. Elsie Dot was identified by Police Constable Anthony Holden and pronounced dead at 1:53 pm at the dance studio. Alice was identified by her father, Sergio Aguiar, and pronounced dead at 1:20 am on July 30 at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital by Doctor Jess Green.
Tributes from the families of the girls highlighted their vibrant lives and the immense void left by their passing. Bebe’s family stated, “No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.” A family friend of Elsie’s parents shared, “Elsie was unforgettable, she was the type of little girl who everyone knew, friendly and chatty, she was able to speak and chat with the grown-ups as well as laugh and dance with her friends.” Alice’s parents wrote, “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.”
The inquests, concluded by 10:30 am, were attended by about 20 members of the press, while the families chose not to attend. Ms. Goulding noted that the inquests were a “short, sombre, formal process” and stated, “Their deaths can be registered, death certificates will be issued, and their bodies will be released to allow for funeral arrangements to be made.”
Axel Rudakubana, who turned 18 on the day of the inquests, will stand trial next year charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Five other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack, with one child remaining in hospital while all other patients have been discharged.