The FBI and the US Justice Department have joined British authorities in investigating Southport killer Axel Rudakubana, following reports that he wiped his internet search history before carrying out his horrific attack. Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in January for the brutal murder of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July last year. His victims—Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven—were among those who lost their lives in the devastating attack.
He also attempted to murder eight other children, whose identities remain protected, as well as dance instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. Now, British investigators have sought the expertise of American authorities to uncover potential digital evidence that may have been erased before the attack.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, February 15, Merseyside Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) acknowledged the severity of the case and the impact it has had. “The Southport attack has devastated the lives of the victims, their families, and the wider community,” the statement read. “A specialist liaison CPS Prosecutor in the United States has been working with international partners to obtain material which may be relevant. We are thankful to the US Department of Justice and the FBI for their ongoing assistance and the importance which they have placed upon our request.”
According to sources, investigators are now working to recover deleted searches from Rudakubana’s Google and Microsoft accounts, with hopes of retrieving crucial digital footprints within weeks. Meanwhile, the parents of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe have spoken out for the first time since her tragic death, revealing their immense grief.
“We will never feel true happiness again, ever,” said her mother, Jenni Stancombe. She also shared the heartbreaking detail that Elsie was never meant to attend the dance class that day but had been given a last-minute spot. In their first televised interview, the parents of both Elsie and Bebe emphasized the need for increased safety measures to protect children.
Bebe’s mother spoke to Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid, expressing her hopes that her daughter’s tragic death would not be in vain. She stated that ensuring the safety of other children must now be a priority. Alice’s family, while not yet ready to speak publicly, have voiced their support for the other grieving families as they continue to seek justice and change.
With the FBI now actively involved, investigators are determined to uncover any remaining digital traces that could shed light on Rudakubana’s motives and planning—potentially revealing a chilling new layer to an already harrowing case.
