Southport victim’s mother fears graphic details could be used to fuel hatred
Share:
The mother of a Southport victim has said she fears graphic details of her daughter’s murder could be “exploited” on social media platforms for “fuelling hatred”. Jenny Stancombe, the mother of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, urged restraint in reporting the details of the injuries she suffered at the hands of Axel Rudakubana.
Earlier on Thursday, police urged social media users not to post graphic details of the Southport victims’ injuries at the request of the families. In a statement issued by her solicitor, Ms Stancombe said: “We feel strongly that the graphic details surrounding Elsie’s injuries serve no purpose other than to sensationalise a tragedy.
“If such information were reported, it would become a permanent part of public record. “Should graphic details be publicised further, they are likely to be exploited on unregulated platforms such as X and TikTok, fuelling hatred and sensationalism while undermining Elsie’s dignity.
“This is something no family should have to endure.”. Alexandra da Silva Aguiar, mother of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, said she relives the circumstances of her death whenever there is fresh reporting – and publishing graphic details could “deepen” the family’s grief.
She said: “We want Alice’s image to remain one of innocence, her happy childhood, her love for school and her passion for dance. “That’s who she was, that’s how everyone remembers her and we should paint a picture of her life, not her struggles.”.