Little girl lost amid the carnage faces life without her mother
IT WAS the heartbreaking image that captured the incomprehensible human tragedy of Monday’s attack.
Standing behind police tape, Millie Kiss, 12, was tended to by a female officer, an oversized coat draped over her shoulders to keep her warm against the chill and the shock, her small feet poking out.
Pictures taken moments later showed Millie staring vacantly into space, as the same officer sought to comfort her with a hug.
Yesterday it emerged that the schoolgirl had been separated from her mother Michelle, 45, who was killed in the explosion.
Just hours before the bombing, Mrs Kiss, of Clitheroe, Lancashire, had posted on Facebook a picture of Millie and a friend with the caption: “Excited girlies ready to watch Ariana.”
As pictures began to emerge from the scene, friends and family spotted Millie in the crowd and believed mother and daughter had escaped from the blast.
School friends told their parents they had recognised the youngster’s shoes from the images and were sure the family was safe. But it soon emerged that while the two girls had escaped injury, Mrs Kiss was missing. The family launched an immediate appeal, calling for information on social media.
“Millie is OK, we are concerned and worried Michelle is still missing,” wrote one relative.
Laura Murray, Mrs Kiss’s niece, today confirmed the death, writing on Facebook: “It’s true, thank you everyone for your help, we are all heartbroken.”
In a statement, the family said: “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.”
Hundreds of friends posted messages of condolences. Sharron Saddington Thomas said: “So so sorry. There are just no words.” Hannah Steadman added: “Another life lost for no reason. Sleep tight.”
Millie was recently nominated for a National Operatic and Dramatic Association award for her performance in White Christmas at the Liverpool Empire and had also taken the lead role in Annie.
Mrs Kiss helped run a scaffolding business with her husband Tony and had two sons Dylan, 20 and Elliot, 17.
Olivia Harrison, 19, a friend of Dylan, said: “She was always happy, Michelle. Dylan and I used to play out in the street when we were kids. Her door was always open.”