WAITING FOR THE MUMMY SHE’LL NEVER SEE AGAIN
From tragic girl comforted by policewoman to aunt who gave life for her niece, the shattering stories
IT was one of the defining images of the Manchester bombing: a little girl wrapped in a coat being comforted by a policewoman as she waits for Mummy to appear.
But it has emerged that 12-year-old Millie Kiss’s mother Michelle died in the carnage at the Manchester Arena.
Last night the youngster’s family said Mrs Kiss, 45, had died at the Ariana Grande concert in the ‘most traumatic way imaginable’.
Hours before the attack, the mother of three from, Lancashire had posted a cheerful picture of Millie on Facebook with the caption: ‘Excited girlies ready to watch Ariana.’
As pictures emerged from the scene on Monday evening, friends and relatives spotted Millie in the crowds of shocked survivors, and hoped the whole family had escaped the blast.
They recognised the youngster from her shoes, poking beneath the coat as the police officer cradled her.
But there was no news about Mrs Kiss, prompting her family to post desperate appeals on social media. Verena Twigg wrote on Facebook: ‘Her daughter pictured with the policewoman was found safe, but Mum Michelle is still missing and family are going out of their minds. I need your help. We must get this viral. Pls pls pls share.’
Yesterday Mrs Kiss’s niece confirmed the news that she had died.
In a statement issued by Greater Manchester Police, her family added: ‘Michelle Kiss was a loving wife to Tony, mother to Dylan, Elliot and Millie, as well as daughter to Mick and Christine and sister to Nichola.
‘She tragically died during the horrible event that occurred on Monday night.
‘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.
‘We hope to draw from the courage and strength she showed in her life to get through this extremely difficult time.’
Mrs Kiss ran a scaffolding business with her husband and had recently started a course at Salford University.
A friend of her son Dylan said: ‘She was always happy, Michelle. She was one of those cool mums. Dylan and I used to play out in the street when we were kids. Her door was always open.’
Friends also posted messages of condolence on social media, with Hannah Steadman writing: ‘Another life lost for no reason.
Sleep tight.’ Tributes also flooded in from around the world.
Jessica Burkhart wrote: ‘Love thoughts and prayers from Cincinnati, Ohio.’ Claudia Gruy posted: ‘Prayers from Austria. This is so heartbreaking.’
Stoke City footballer player, Dom Telford, who had shared regular posts about Mrs Kiss’s disappearance on his page, tweeted: ‘Cannot believe it. Gutted.
‘Cruel cruel world. Rest in peace Michelle, my thoughts are with the Kiss family at this terrible time.’
Facebook user Amy Pickering commented on one post: ‘RIP Michelle. Such a beautiful lady.’
Another Facebook user Diana Barton said: ‘Absolutely heartbroken, RIP beautiful Michelle. Thoughts to all Michelle’s family and friends.’
Craig Sneddon wrote: ‘Sleep tight Michelle. Your life was taken by an evil man but please rest now in peace x’
Relative Mrs Twigg added: ‘Thank you to everyone who has shared this, and for your kind words. RIP Michelle.’
Millie is a child actress who won rave reviews for her performance in White Christmas at the Liverpool Empire and had taken the lead role in Annie.
She also starred in The Wind in the Willows 2016 UK tour and a BBC advert.