Confirmed dead, tragic symbol of Grenfell fire
Parents finally learn fate of their ‘little angel’ Jessica, 12
THE family of a 12-year-old girl who was confirmed yesterday as one of the Grenfell Tower victims have said they will not rest until they get justice for her.
Jessica Urbano Ramirez was formally identified as one of those killed in the blaze, which claimed the lives of at least 80.
The girl had come to symbolise the agony of those hit by the tragedy after her family pinned up posters of her and tirelessly searched London to find her.
Her mother Adriana Ramirez, 38, told how her daughter had screamed ‘Mummy, come and get me!’ in a desperate final phone call while trapped in a stairwell below their 20th-floor flat.
Yesterday Jessica’s family said the confirmation of her death had left them ‘crushed’ as they pledged to get justice for her and the others who died when fire ripped through the 24- storey block of flats in North Kensington in June.
In a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, they said: ‘We have received probably the hardest news any parents will ever have had to bear. Over the past weeks we have been in a state of confusion and limbo – now that she has been formally identified, we feel totally crushed.
‘Nothing will ever bring our little girl back and we are angry that this should ever have happened to our little angel. We will not rest until we get justice for her and for the many other lives lost as a result of this crime.
‘We will only feel justice has been served when the highest possible charges are applied to culpable individuals. We entrust this task to the authorities in the hope that we will not be let down.’
Scotland Yard said last week it had ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect corporate manslaughter offences may have been committed. In a letter to residents, the force said senior figures from Kensington and Chelsea Council and the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation faced being interviewed by police.
Paying tribute to Jessica, her family said: ‘Our little girl was loving, kind-hearted and caring. She brought joy to everyone who met her and her laugh was contagious.
‘Her light will shine bright and light our paths as we start to move forward into coming to terms with our loss and heartbreak.’
Mother Nura Jemal, 35, was also named yesterday as one of the victims of the inferno. A statement released on behalf of her family said: Nura, our beloved, positiveminded, devout and courageous sister, aunt, and friend…
‘You were grateful, and appreciated even the smallest things. And your joy was contagious. Being around you could lighten up anyone’s day in a matter of seconds.’
The inquests of three victims were opened at Westminster Coroner’s Court yesterday. The preliminary cause of death for all three was recorded as ‘consistent with the effects of fire’.
Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox has so far opened and adjourned 41 inquests. All have been suspended while a public inquiry and criminal investigation are carried out.