Bebe King’s family breaks the silence one year after her brutal killing shattered a children’s party

One year on from the Southport knife attack that shook the nation, the family of six-year-old Bebe King say it is her ever-present spirit that gives them the strength to go on.

Bebe, just six, was one of three young girls brutally murdered during a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on 29 July 2024. The other victims were nine-year-old Alice Aguiar and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe.

In a heart-wrenching tribute released ahead of the one-year anniversary, Bebe’s family took to Instagram to express their grief, disbelief and enduring love. “How are we nearly here already?” they wrote, beside a broken heart emoji.

The message paid tribute not only to Bebe, but to Alice and Elsie too. Their families’ shared pain has forged an unspoken bond. “Their light continues to shine so brightly through their parents,” Bebe’s loved ones wrote. “We’re proud to walk alongside them.”

The girls’ photos — full of colour, life and innocence — accompany the tribute, reminding all who see them of the horror that unfolded that day. Smiling in school uniforms and ballet costumes, they are frozen in time, symbols of joy so violently extinguished.

“Our girls’ energy will continue to shimmer,” the family wrote. “And to every brave child, every adult, every family whose lives were changed forever that day – we see you and we’re sending you so much love.”

They described Bebe as “a truly remarkable little girl who brought so much joy to so many.” She was her mother’s “mini me,” her father’s “soulmate,” and her sister’s “bestest friend.”

Her love for dancing lit up every room, and her kindness knew no bounds. “Her light, her care, her spark — it lives on,” her family vowed, “and we’ll continue it for as long as we can.”

To honour Bebe’s legacy, the family founded Bebe’s Hive, a project offering creative healing through art, music, and storytelling to children coping with grief. “To be able to create something so purposeful, so needed, has given us a strength we didn’t know we had,” they said. “A reason. A focus.”

They acknowledged the outpouring of love from those around them. “To our incredible family and friends, and our amazing community – your kindness has saved us.”

Yet the pain is far from over. The scars from that day remain etched on their lives, and the year since has been one of both devastation and resilience. “It’s time for us to take the space we need,” they shared. “To feel, to breathe, to hold each other close. To just be.”

The tribute concluded with lyrics from Wicked, Bebe’s favourite musical. “And to my Beebs… to quote from our favourite musical… because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

In a world that moved on, Bebe’s family stands still — caught in a moment of unspeakable loss. Yet through Bebe’s Hive and the enduring memory of her smile, they fight to ensure her name will never be forgotten.