Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sister of youngest Manchester bomb victim names baby daughter after her in moving tribute

Newborn arrives more than three years after aunty killed in attack

Liam James
Monday 07 December 2020 16:18 GMT
Comments
Saffie Roussos, 8, was the youngest victim of the terrorist attack in May 2017
Saffie Roussos, 8, was the youngest victim of the terrorist attack in May 2017 (Manchester Arena Inquiry)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The sister of the youngest Manchester Arena terror attack victim has named her first daughter in memory of her late sibling in a moving tribute more than three years after the young girl’s death.

Eight-year-old Saffie-Rose was among 22 people killed in the explosion at the Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.

Ashlee Bromwich, Saffie-Rose's elder sister, was injured in the attack while their mother Lisa Roussos required a series of operations to be able to walk again.

Ms Bromwich, 29, has now given birth to a healthy baby girl who she named Ever-Rose in memory of her late sister.

Ever-Rose's birth was announced on a Facebook group dedicated to the memory of Saffie-Rose.

“Saffie-Rose's sister Ashlee was badly injured in the Manchester Arena attack ... November 14th 2020 Ashlee gave birth to Ever-Rose," the announcement read.  

Ms Bromwich had announced her pregnancy in an interview with The Sun earlier this year, where she described the occasion as “bittersweet”.

“I am excited, of course," Ms Bromwich said, “but sad because Saffie-Rose will not meet her niece or nephew and she would have been such a wonderful aunty.”  

News of Ever-Rose’s birth comes less than two months after Ms Roussos and husband Andrew gave testimony at a public inquiry into the terror attack where their daughter was killed.

During the hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in September, Saffie-Rose’s mother described the moment she awoke from a coma to be told her daughter had been killed in the explosion.

In a video recorded message, Ms Roussos said: “The day I woke up from the coma … Andrew held my hand and looked up at me, I instantly knew. ‘Saffie has gone, hasn’t she?’ And he replied: ‘Yes.’

“I cried and begged and pleaded with him to let me die too. I can look after her, I cried."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in