Inquests open into deaths of three girls killed at Taylor Swift dance class in Southport - as coroner says 'truly tragic events' will have 'devastating lifelong effects'

Inquests open into deaths of three girls killed at Taylor Swift dance class in Southport - as coroner says 'truly tragic events' will have 'devastating lifelong effects' By Matthew Lodge Published: 05:26 EDT, 7 August 2024 | Updated: 05:42 EDT, 7 August 2024 e-mail The inquests into the deaths of three young girls who were killed in the Southport stabbings have been opened. Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died after a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Monday July 29. This morning, nine days after the killings, senior coroner Julie Goulding formally opened the inquests into their deaths at Bootle Town Hall in Merseyside.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is set to stand trial next year after being charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Adjourning the inquests to allow the criminal process to take place, the coroner said: '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. Alice Dasilva Aguilar, aged nine, was one of the victims of the fatal stabbings in Southport on Monday, July 29 Elsie Dot Stancome, aged seven, was also fatally wounded during the attack at a Taylor Swift the.