The third child victim of the horror Southport stabbing attack was today named as a Portuguese girl called Alice Aguiar as her devastated loved ones said their princess had been taken by a “despicable human being.”
Friends and family paid tribute to the youngster today after it emerged the nine-year-old had died in hospital of her injuries.
Two girls aged six and seven were identified as the first fatalities in the attack just before midday yesterday.
Portuguese Foreign Ministry sources confirmed today a Portuguese girl had died.
One said: “Portugal’s Consul General in Manchester is assisting the family, having spoken to her parents, and is continuing to offer them all the support they need.”
Alice’s mum Alexandra Aguiar is understood to hail originally from Caracas in Venezuela and her dad David Aguiar is from Madeira.
Southport stabbings: Third child victim of horror attack named as ‘princess’ as family opens up on ‘immense pain’FacebookRelative Carina Aguiar, a hotel worker who lives in Camara de Lobos in Madeira, posted a link on her social media to news Merseyside Police had confirmed a third child had died following the attack and wrote tear emoticons beside it.
Earlier she posted a photo of a black ribbon on her Facebook alongside Alice’s name after writing in an emotional tribute: “Princess Alice.
“In this moment of great pain my soul hurts, my body hurts, my mind hurts. I have a lump in my throat.
“You were just an innocent child, a happy smiley girl with a bright life ahead of you which a despicable human being took away from you, without pity, for no reason.
“Look after your mum and dad who are suffering, who are desolate and broken. Fly high our little star. I love you.”
Friend Claudia Trindade responded by saying: “Have strength. Let my dear God console the hearts of her parents.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Relative Carina Aguiar posted this image on Facebook
Magda Fernandes said: “I have no words. My condolences to the whole family. Lots of strength at this difficult hour.”
Liliana Soares wrote: “What a huge tragedy. My pretty and innocent angel. Such tremendous pain. My sincerest condolences Carina to the whole family.”
Another family friend, Henrique Drummond, wrote on social media in a direct message to Alice’s parents: “David Aguiar, Alexandra Aguiar. Life is so cruel that an animal takes the life of children, especially our Alice. Lots of strength in these extremely difficult moments.”
Jose Cesario, the Secretary of State for the Portuguese Communities, told a Portuguese TV station today: “Unfortunately a child who is the daughter of Portuguese parents originally from Madeira has died.
“She was born on October 14 2014 and was nine years old.
“She was one of the victims of this awful crime.
“The family lives in Southport. The parents are in a state of shock. We are going to continue to give them the support they need, we are in direct contact with an aunt of the young girl.
“The priority is to give them all the moral support they need and afterwards things depend on the family and where they want to hold the funeral.”
Portuguese Foreign Ministry sources confirmed today a Portuguese girl had died
Police confirmed a third child had died in the early hours of this morning
Merseyside Police said in an update today a third child, a nine-year-old girl, had died in hospital.
They said in a statement: “Sadly we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning, Monday 29 July.
“The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 30 July.
“We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven years.
“Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and five of them are in a critical condition.
“Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.
“Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time.
“Yesterday, officers arrested a 17-year-old male from Banks and he remains in police custody.
“A name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect in the incident in Southport. This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.
“This incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.”
