A poignant moment unfolded during the latest episode of Good Morning Britain as host Susanna Reid offered her compassion to devastated mother Leanne Ekland. Co-hosting with Richard Madeley, the morning show on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, took a sombre turn when Leanne, who endured the tragic loss of her teenage son Max Dixon, joined them. Max was the youngest of four and devastatingly lost his life alongside his best friend, Mason Rist, who was just 15, to a brutal attack by a group of teenagers.
An intense and emotional interview saw Susanna gently urging Leanne to share memories of her son. Overcome with emotion and tears, Susanna reached out to comfort her, stopping the show to hold her hand. “I knew you’d ask this,” Leanne sobbed, but Susanna responded with care, emphasising that they aimed to honour Mason’s identity beyond being a victim. “We can talk about Mason after the show,” as she clasped her hand.
Gathering her composure, Leanne spoke of her unbearable grief and the turmoil following her son’s murder. Leanne revealed, in a heart-wrenching confession to Susanna and Richard, the deep sorrow of having to make unthinkable decisions for a parent — choosing a coffin and attending her child’s funeral. The day Max and Nikki Knight’s son died left irrevocable scars, with both mothers unaware their sons ventured out only to meet a terrible fate near Mason’s doorstep, as reported by The Mirror.
Leanne recalled the horrific night she was told her son had been stabbed: “I said ‘no he’s not, he’s in bed’, then it hit me. I just screamed. They took me down to see Max. A lot of people stopped me to start off with, but I managed to get to him and sit down with him. I said ‘Max, Mum’s here’. He opened up his eyes. He knew I was there. He knew I was with him. He was so pale, he was cold, he kept saying to me ‘mum, I want to go to sleep,’” she recounted.
Earlier heart-rending scenes this year saw Susanna offer a comforting embrace to another mother enduring agonising grief. Naomi Rees-Issitt, still mourning the loss of her son Jamie Rees, who died following a cardiac arrest three years prior, has been pushing for defibrillators to become a standard in police vehicles.
On Good Morning Britain, with a gentle yet profound empathy, Susanna Reid created a moment of vulnerability that resonated with viewers and touched the hearts of many. Fans of the show lauded the sincerity and compassion she displays in interviews with guests going through unimaginable pain.
The circumstances surrounding Leanne’s tragic loss are distressingly common in today’s societal climate, as youth violence continues to ripple through communities across the country. Max and Mason had left home to grab a pizza on a typical Saturday night in 2024 and never made it home. Instead, they met a group of teenagers, who attacked them mistaken for the culprits of another incident. Both boys succumbed to their injuries, leaving behind grieving families coping with a loss that no parent should have to endure.
Max’s murderers, Anthony Snook, Riley Tolliver, and Kodishai Wescott were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Snook, the getaway driver, received a life sentence with a minimum of 38 years, while others involved also faced severe consequences for their actions. The aftermath of the tragedy left the community in shock and raised questions over youth violence and safety.
In response to the loss of her son, Leanne has initiated the Max Dixon Foundation, aimed at providing bleeding kits to those affected by similar acts of violence and fostering community dialogue on these pressing issues. Her efforts highlight the importance of support systems and the urgent need for preventive measures in local communities.
Through her heartache, Leanne continues to advocate for awareness, sharing her son’s story, and encouraging conversations around youth safety. The emotional interview on Good Morning Britain not only honored Max's memory but also called out for justice and safer communities.
As Susanna Reid held Leanne's hand during this emotional reveal, it reminded viewers of the shared humanity and the power of compassion in times of grief. The discussion around youth violence is not only a narrative of loss but shows a mother’s unyielding love and dedication to ensuring that her son's memory lives on.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6 am, creating a platform for poignant conversations around relevant issues while offering a glimpse into the complexities of life, grief, and community resilience.
