THE mother of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class had only found out about the club days before.
Alice Aguiar was named as one of three young girls killed in the knife rampage in Southport, Merseyside, yesterday.
Heartbroken friends and family paid tribute to the youngster after she died in hospital from her injuries, saying she was killed by a “despicable human being”.
It has now emerged that two days before the stabbings Alice’s mother, Alexandra, posted a message to the Southport Community Facebook group asking for recommendations for holiday clubs for nine-year-olds.
Bur the fully booked club for children, which was advertised as a dance and yoga workshop, quickly became something “like a horror movie”, witnesses to the deadly stabbings have said.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.
Two girls aged six and seven were identified as the first fatalities in the attack just before midday yesterday.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were critically injured, police said.
Alice’s mum Alexandra Aguiar is understood to hail originally from Caracas in Venezuela and her dad David Aguiar is from Madeira.
Relative Carina Aguiar said 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.”
Hotel worker, Carina, 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.
Friend Claudia Trindade responded by saying: “Have strength. Let my dear God console the hearts of her parents.”
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.”
Teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, is understood to be fighting for her life in hospital after “bravely trying to protect” kids at the Hart Space Studios.
Her colleague Heidi, also 35, escaped uninjured after heroically locking some of the children inside a toilet to keep them safe.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Hayes, 63, ran into the dance studio and tried to fend off the attacker moments after hearing screams from his nearby office and was stabbed in the leg.
Sir Keir Starmer this afternoon shook the hands of emergency services after saying he wanted to give them a personal thank you for their efforts yesterday.
The Prime Minister spoke to the group as he laid floral tributes near the scene, that claimed the lives of three innocent girls.
Sir Keir said: “I know you would go and face any situation that was put in front of you, you do it every day.
“But there’s no pretending that what you dealt with yesterday was ordinary or just a usual response. It was really, really difficult. I just wanted to say a personal thank you to each of you, that’s why I wanted to shake each of your hands, for what you did yesterday.
“I’m incredibly proud of what you did.
“I’m amazed, but not surprised, that you’re in today, carrying on with your duties.
“I really want you to focus on the fact that there are children today alive because of what you did yesterday. That is incredible. It’s what you do every day but it’s the most difficult of circumstances.
“I don’t want you to think for a minute the rest of the country has not seen that.”
Speaking to media during his visit to Southport, Sir Keir said: “I came here to pay my respects to the victims and families who are going through raw pain and grief that most of us can’t imagine – I can’t imagine, as a dad myself.
“To get a briefing from the chief constable and the emergency services about the ongoing investigation but, also, importantly, to have the opportunity to say to those that were responding yesterday from emergency services, say a personal thank you to them and to shake their hand, and to say that as Prime Minister on behalf of the country, we are grateful for what they did.
“They, of course, say that they will respond, they’re professionals, to anything, but there’s no pretending that what they had to respond to yesterday was ordinary.
“It was very, very difficult. They were absolutely professional. And it was important for me to come and say simple words – thank you.”
A video obtained by ITV shows an individual wearing a green hoodie and face mask pacing back and forth outside the front door.
The doorbell footage then shows several police cars and a group of officers, including some who are armed, appearing at the same house.
A staff member at the Hart Space, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she heard the suspect was wearing a “black hood” when he reportedly stabbed multiple children.
Locals said the suspect had got out of a taxi minutes before noon before his launching his attack.
He accessed the Hart Space Studios because a door was left open amid sweltering heat.
Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.
Taylor Swift said she is “completely in shock” after the “horror” of the knife attack.
