On May 22, 2017, a bomb exploded at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. The bombing resulted in the death of 22 people, while approximately 59 were left wounded – a number of them children.
In the days following the bombing, the news was filled with numerous details regarding the ruthless act of terrorism. The world learned about the name of the horrific monster who carried out this atrocity, along with the specifics of his life. The names, faces, and stories, of the 22 beautiful victims that lost their lives that night were overshadowed by the appalling particulars of the tragic turn of events.
Today and every day, we will remember the innocent victims instead of the terrorist who murdered them.
Saffie-Rose Roussos
Described as a "simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word,” who was “loved by everyone,” the 8-year-old girl, died the following morning due to injuries obtained the night of the bombing. The headteacher at her school, Chris Upton, said that “her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly.”
Georgina Callander
The first named victim of the attack was Georgina Callander, an 18-year-old Ariana Grande superfan, and student at Runshaw College. Prior to the night of the concert, the Lancashire native tweeted about how excited she was to see her idol perform. Callander's social media pages contain photo after photo of her surrounded with some of her closest friends as well as favorite musicians. Her family says she was an avid concert goer.
Alison Howe & Lisa Lees
Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 47, from Royton, Oldham, were waiting together in the lobby of the arena for their daughters when the bomb exploded killing them both. After finding out about her death, Howe’s stepson took to Facebook to say, "They took a caring beautiful mom and stepmother away from us all she was amazing to us all x love you loads Alison Howe xx.” Additionally, Lisa Lees' brother stated, “For those who don’t know Lisa is gone but never, ever forgotten. I love you Lisa I’ll miss you so much.”
John Atkinson
26-year-old John Atkinson has been confirmed dead by family and friends. Atkinson, who is described as being a “happy and gentle person,” has undoubtedly made a positive impact on his community in his 26 years of life. The local dance troupe he was a part of released a statement saying, “he was a true friend, not just to our staff but many of the parents and students from the school.”
Olivia Campbell
Olivia Campbell, a fifteen-year-old, was killed in the Manchester terror attack. Her mother took to Facebook following the attack to pay tribute to her daughter. She said: “RIP my darling precious gorgeous girl Olivia Campbell taken far far too soon go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much.”
Kelly Brewster
Kelly Brewster, 32, died after heroically shielding her niece from the blast of the explosion. Her local paper, the Sheffield Star along with her community, praised her for her unwavering bravery. She leaves behind a daughter, Phoebe.
Marcin & Angelika Klis
Marcin, 42 and Angelika, 40, Polish parents of a student at York College were both at the venue to pick up their children. They leave behind their two daughters, Alex and Patricia.
Jane Tweddle-Taylor
A 50-year-old woman who went to the Manchester Arena to pick up a friend's daughter has been confirmed as a victim of the terror attack. Tweddle-Taylor, from Blackpool, was a receptionist at South Shore Academy School. The Principal of the school stated, “Jane was a well-loved member of staff and our thoughts are with her friends and family at this terrible time. Jane was a truly wonderful friend and colleague to all of us at South Shore Academy. In our school family and theirs...she is irreplaceable, much loved and will never be forgotten.”
Martyn Hett
The 29-year-old, from Heaton Moor, was killed in the blast.
Nell Jones
Nell Jones, a 14-year-old girl from Goostrey in Cheshire, attended the concert with her best friend. She died later that night.
Sorrell Leczkowski
The 14-year-old from Leeds attended the concert with her grandmother and mother. Sorrell died in the hospital later that night.
Michelle Kiss
Michelle, the 45-year-old from Lancashire, attended the Ariana Grande concert with her young daughter. A statement made by her family reads, “Michelle Kiss was a loving wife to Tony, mother to Dylan, Elliot, and Millie, as well as a daughter to Mick and Christine and sister to Nichola. Family was her life and we are all obviously devastated by her loss. She has been taken away from us, and all that love her, in the most traumatic way imaginable.”
Chloe Rutherford & Liam Curry
Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, from South Shields, were "inseparable" and "beautiful inside and out", their relatives said in a statement released through police. Sadly, they were among the 22 named dead following the explosion.
Eilidh MacLeod
Eilidh MacLeod, 14, died in the Manchester bombing.
Wendy Fawell
A former primary school teacher, the 50-year-old from West Yorkshire, attended the concert with her daughter, a friend, and her sons. She was killed in the blast. More than 100 people attended a vigil for Ms. Fawell in Otley on Tuesday evening.
Elaine Mclver
Elaine Mclver, a Cheshire Police officer, was killed in the blast on Monday. Her family has taken to Facebook stating, “Elaine just loved life and had a major love of music. Despite what has happened to her, she would want us all to carry on regardless and not be frightened by fear tactics; instead, she regularly urged us all to rise up against it.”
Philip Tron
Philip Tron, 32, from Gateshead, had taken his stepdaughter, Courtney, to the Ariana Grande gig to pick up her younger sister when he was killed in the blast.
Courtney Boyle
Boyle, the 19-year-old, Criminology and Psychology student at Leeds Beckett University, died on Thursday morning. Her mom posted a message to social media which read: “My stunning amazing beautiful daughter you were my rock you made me so proud with all you had achieved and my gorgeous crazy Philip you made my world a happy place and now you are both my angels flying high in the sky.”
