On July 29, 2024, during what was supposed to be a fun and vibrant Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space venue in Southport, tragedy struck when three young girls were brutally stabbed, resulting in their untimely deaths. The horrific attack not only claimed the lives of Bebe King, who was just six years old, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe but also left their dance teacher, Leanne Lucas, with serious injuries as she fought to protect the children.
Leanne Lucas, aged 35, recently shared her emotional experience for the first time at a candlelit vigil aimed at commemorizing victims of male violence. This vigil coincided with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, adding layers to the poignancy of the evening. Speaking to LBC, Lucas expressed the devastation she felt: "It made us feel very unsafe...feeling like we just lost faith in the world."
After the attack, Leanne found herself reflecting on the purpose of her work, which had always been centered on creating well-being events for families and children. The incident, she described, had trampled over the words she and the children had shared, leaving both her and the community disheartened. Echoing her sentiments, she stated, "It has really dampened all of our spirits. We just lost faith."
Following the attack, the ripples of violence spread across Southport and surrounding areas, igniting riots fueled by misinformation online. Merseyside Police recorded 151 arrests stemming from the unrest, culminating with 107 individuals charged and 82 sentenced to various prison terms. The scale of arrests nearly approached 2,000 across the nation as citizens reacted passionately to the tragedy.
Despite the chaos, Leanne remained heartened by the support she and her community received, describing it as overwhelming and healing. At the vigil, she remarked, "There’s been a lot of love from Southport, a lot of love from all over the world. The impact has been tragic, but there has been some goodness at times." Her reflections on the connecting threads of community likened their bond to "an invisible piece of string" — sometimes tangled, but always strong enough to bring them closer.
Even amid her suffering, Leanne revealed her intention to leverage her platform for advocacy. "It's important for me to be able to speak for the girls, as well as myself," she declared. She hopes to transform her wholeness of heart and spirit to work toward change, ensuring such tragedies can be prevented. "Hopefully, people will hear more from me to create positive avenues out of such horrifying experiences," she added poignantly.
Axel Rudakubana, now 18, was charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a knife, and other offenses connected to the stabbing. His next court appearance is slated for December 12, 2024. Such charges are grave, reflecting the severity of the actions taken on what should have been simply another joyous day of dance and creativity for children.
While Leanne has struggled with the memories of July 29, she channels her heartbreak and anger toward creating a safer future where children can enjoy life without fear. "My goal is to use the memories of the girls as driving forces to change society for others so this doesn’t have to happen again," she stated resolutely. Her words resonate with determination, as they not only call for remembrance but also demand action, urging society to confront the realities of violence against women and girls head-on.
Lucas’s aspiration to speak out post-trial is intended to spark awareness about the urgent need for interventions addressing male violence. "I’m hoping my voice will get louder and louder, allowing me to join many others who stood against such issues. Together, we’ll advocate for the changes needed," she affirmed.
The emotional reverberations of this tragic day remind us not only of the lives lost but of the courage it takes to transform grief and trauma—both personal and societal—into powerful commitments toward change. Leanne Lucas stands as a beacon of resilience, embodying the spirit of her purpose to reinforce community ties and advocate for women and children everywhere.
