Funeral is held for youngest victim of Southport knife attacker: Wellwishers are urged to light a candle as Bebe King, six, is laid to rest
- Bebe King's parents described their daughter as a 'sweet, kind, and spirited girl'
Bebe King - the youngest of the three girls killed by in the Southport knife attack - will be laid to rest by her family today in a private funeral service.
The six-year-old was killed by a knifeman alongside nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in the Merseyside town last month. Ten others were seriously injured.
Bebe's parents have since revealed that their nine-year-old daughter, Genie, witnessed the horrifying attack before escaping.
Speaking of their grief for their youngest daughter earlier this week, her parents Lauren and Ben King described Bebe as a 'sweet, kind, and spirited girl' who was 'full of joy, light and love'.
Her funeral will be held in Southport today, with Bebe's family asking for privacy in and around the ceremony and encouraging people to light a candle in their daughter's memory.
'Our beloved Bebe, only six years old, was full of joy, light, and love, and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind, and spirited girl we adore,' the family said in a statement today
The family shared a photo of Bebe (pictured centre) as they released a touching tribute
The family of Bebe King thanked their community for the outpourings of support
Bebe (right) was one of three girls stabbed to death in the horrific attack in Southport in July
Members of the community arrive ahead of a vigil to remember the victims on August 5
In their statement released last weekend, Lauren and Ben King told how their 'world was shattered by the loss of our precious daughter'.
'Our beloved Bebe, only six years old, was full of joy, light, and love, and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind, and spirited girl we adore,' they said, before thanking the community for an 'outpouring of love and support' in an 'unimaginably difficult time'.
They also paid tribute to Genie, who they said they 'are so proud of.'
'Her resilience is a testament to the love and bond she shared with her little sister, and we will continue to support her as we navigate this painful journey together as a family,' the couple said in the heartbreaking statement shared via Merseyside Police.
They added: 'Our thoughts are also with everyone else involved in this tragedy and all those who were injured. We hope that they find strength and healing in the days ahead.'
They added that the loss of their daughter had left their hearts broken 'beyond repair' as they acknowledged the 'two other beautiful souls' victim to the attack, Elsie and Alice.
'To the children who witnessed this terrible event, we send our love and hope that they too can begin to heal, surrounded by the care and support of those who love them,' they continued.
'To the emergency services, who acted with such care and professionalism on that terrible day: thank you.
'Bebe was such a sweet, happy little thing. Loving life, in particular music and theatre, and enjoying the deep affection in which she was held by her family and friends,' Mr Weston King wrote (pictured: Bebe with her aunt)
Bebe King's grandfather, Michael Weston King, 62, (pictured with Bebe) released a touching tribute to his granddaughter revealing the family
'Your support has continued as you have looked after our family with compassion and dedication, and we will forever be grateful for the way you have helped us through this harrowing time.
'To our community, friends, and strangers who have shown us such love: thank you. Your messages, your tributes, and your presence have meant the world to us and have helped us find some solace in our grief.
'We are also thinking of Elsie and Alice’s families, who are sharing in this unimaginable loss, and we hold them close in our hearts.
'Our hearts are broken, but we find some comfort in knowing that Bebe was so deeply loved by all who knew her.
'She will forever be our shimmering star, and we will carry her with us in everything we do.'
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, whose heartbroken family described her as a 'princess', was also killed in the horrific attack.
She was laid to rest last Sunday, with hundreds of devastated mourners arriving outside St Patrick's Church in the town for the funeral.
The little girl's parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by hundreds of family members and friends at the packed-out church.
Among those who also gathered to pay their respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, alongside uniformed officers from the police, ambulance and fire services.
The grieving crowd could be seen carrying flowers and pink balloons and were dressed in light colours, and pink ribbons and balloons were tied to lampposts and garden walls.
Members of the community, family and friends blow bubbles as people gather to mourn victims of the harrowing knife attack by holding a vigil near the Atkinson on August 5
A vigil was held on August 5 for the victims as the community gathered to support the grieving family
Artist's impression of Axel Rudakubana covering his face in Liverpool Crown Court on Aug 1
Bebe King's grandfather previously told of his anguish over the loss of the little girl and revealed the family had been due to celebrate a wedding the day after the attack.
Michael Weston King, 62, wrote in a statement shared on social media: 'As many but not all know, I am taking this moment to confirm that my granddaughter Bebe (the younger daughter of my eldest son) was one of the three girls killed in Southport last Monday.
'An act of such consequence, yet so pointless, is impossible to comprehend. We are bereft but coming together as a family, which was already very close-knit, to support each other and in particular my son, daughter-in-law and my other granddaughter.
Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, was also fatally wounded during the attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class
Alice da Silva Aguiar, aged nine, was also one of the victims of the fatal stabbings in Southport on Monday, July 29
'Bebe was such a sweet, happy little thing. Loving life, in particular music and theatre, and enjoying the deep affection in which she was held by her family and friends.
'Monday's events were all the more poignant as we were gathering for my eldest daughter's wedding, which should have taken place the following day - a joyous, beautiful family occasion.
'The shift from joy to despair in a matter of moments is profound.'
Mr Weston King told how the family had been comforted by messages of support from across the country and praised police for their 'great dignity'.
He added: 'I would though like to thank everyone who has sent messages. To feel the love and support of so many dear and close friends has been vital. They have, been, and continue to be a great comfort.
As well as the three little girls brutally killed in the knife attack on July 29, eight children and two adults were also seriously injured in the attack, including dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35. All have since been discharged from hospital.
Suspect Axel Rudakubana, 18, from Lancashire, has been charged with murdering the three children and 10 counts of attempted murder.
