Lee Rigby family say ‘goodnight fallen soldier’
“Rest in peace, Lee. We loved you so much. You will always be our hero.” The family of the man murdered in the street in Woolwich, south east London, speak of their grief for the first time.
The stepfather and wife of Drummer Lee Rigby have paid emotional tribute to their “fallen soldier” after the savage street killing of the 25-year-old by suspected Islamists in Woolwich, south east London, on Wednesday.
In their first public appearance since the tragedy, they described a loving father and committed family man.
“I love Lee and always will. I am proud to be his wife,” said Rebecca Rigby, the mother of their two-year-old son Jack.
“He was due to come up this weekend so we could continue our future together as a family.”
You don’t expect it to happen when he’s in the UK. You think they’re safe. Rebecca Rigby
Drummer Rigby, from Langley, in Middleton, Greater Manchester, was from 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
He had served in Afghanistan and was attached to the Regimental Recruiting Team when he was hacked to death in broad daylight.
Two suspects were shot and arrested at the scene and remain in police custody.
Asked about the attack, on British soil, Mrs Rigby added: “You don’t expect it to happen when he’s in the UK. You think they’re safe.
“His proudest moments were serving in London on the ceremonials with the drum corps.”
Last text message
Stepfather Ian Rigby read out the last text message Lee had sent his mother. In it, he called her his “best friend” as well as a fantastic parent.
Showing emotion, he said: “What can we say about Lee, our hero, we are so so proud of Lee. When Lee was born the family adored him, he was a precious gift given to us.
“Lee had a fiery temper when he was younger, I used to sit on him to calm him down till he got too big at 15, then he used to sit on me.
We are so so proud of Lee. When Lee was born the family adored him, he was a precious gift given to us. Ian Rigby
“Lee’s dream growing up was always to join the army which he succeeded in doing, he was dedicated and loved his job.”
“Lee adored and cared a lot for his family, he was very much a family man, looking out for his wife, young son Jack, younger sisters, whom in turn they looked up to him, he always had a banter with them but would never ever let any harm come to them.
“He was over the moon being a dad and uncle, he adored them all.”
‘Goodnight, love you loads’
Mr Rigby, 54, at times swallowing hard and breathing deeply, added: “Lee was a man who loved people. He had many friends growing up in Middleton and on army duties all over the world.
“He believed life was for living and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
“Courtney and Amy, his younger sisters, wrote this for Lee: ‘Rest in Peace Lee, we loved you so much, you didn’t deserve this, you fought for your country and did it well.
“You will always be our hero we are just upset you left us so early. Love you Lee, goodnight.’
“The last text he sent to his mum read, ‘Goodnight mum, I hope you had a fantastic day today because you are the most fantastic and one in a million mum that anyone could ever wish for. Thank you for supporting me all these years, you’re not just my mum you’re my best friend. So goodnight, love you loads.”