Lisa Roussos learns of daughter Saffie’s death after coming off life support, family friend says

THE mum of the youngest victim of the Manchester terror attack became “aware” of her daughter’s death after coming off life support.

Saffie Roussos was the youngest victim of the Manchester attack.

THE mother of the youngest victim of the Manchester terror attack has learned of her daughter’s death after coming off life support, a friend of the family has said.

Lisa Roussos, 48, is the mother of Saffie Roussos, eight, who was killed in the deadly attack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

Lisa had been attending the show with Saffie and her elder daughter Ashlee Bromwich when the family were caught up in the tragedy, with Lisa and Ashlee seriously wounded by shrapnel.

They were taken to separate hospitals with Lisa in a critical condition. On Thursday, family friend Mike Swanson revealed Lisa was “pulling through” and had learned of the heartbreaking fate of her youngest daughter.

He said the news has allowed Saffie’s father to start grieving for his daughter now that he knew his wife would be OK.

“The news about Lisa being out of danger is the biggest in this since the start.

“Andrew (Saffie’s father) has been so strong. He’s not wanted to grieve until he knew his wife was going to be okay. He’s been a machine all week.”

The mother of Saffie Roussos learned about her daughter’s fate after coming off life support, a family friend has said.

Ariana Grande suspended her tour and said she would return to the city for a tribute concert on Sunday. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Valerie Macon

“Lisa’s pulling through. She was in a critical condition at first, but she came off life support on Saturday and was up and talking on Sunday. She’s aware of the situation with Saffie,” he said in a statement.

“She’s still in hospital, but she’s moving her legs, which is fantastic.

“Ashlee is remarkably well. She went to a different hospital to her mum with wounds, but it looks like she might be out as early as Wednesday.”

Mr Swanson also posted on Facebook a picture of the huge display of flowers and balloons that had been left outside the fish and chip shop run by Mrs Roussos’s husband, Andrew, 43.

“One week on all the flowers look and smell as fresh as the day they were left ... the girls have named it Saffie’s garden, it’s beautiful,” he said on Facebook.

Flowers and balloons have been left outside St Ann's Square in Manchester after the deadly bombing that killed 22 people. Picture: AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF

Saffie was the youngest of 22 victims of the terror attack carried out by Salman Abedi that also injured more than 100 people. It’s believed the young man entered the Manchester arena just as the concert ended and detonated a backpack bomb filled with shrapnel.

The head teacher of Saffie’s school, Tarleton Community Primary School, Lancashire, described her as a “simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word.”

“She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair,” Chris Upton said.

“The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking.”

Ariana Grande will return to Manchester with other stars for a star-studded concert on Sunday.