James Bulger's Grave Vandalised for Second Time in Six Weeks
The grave of James Bulger has been desecrated for a second time in just six weeks, leaving his mother Denise Fergus "disgusted and devastated". The attack occurred at Kirkdale Cemetery in Merseyside, where vandals "scythed off" the heads of two marble cherub statues that watch over the toddler's resting place.
Mother's Heartbreak and Police Investigation
Denise Fergus, whose two-year-old son was brutally murdered in 1993, discovered the latest vandalism at lunchtime. She had only recently repaired the grave after a similar attack in February, which required replacing the cherub heads. "My heart sank when I found out about it this morning," she told The Mirror exclusively. "How evil do you need to be to vandalise and destroy a child's grave?"
Merseyside Police have renewed their search for the perpetrators and are hunting for the missing cherub heads, which have not been found. The force received a report of the damage and is investigating both incidents, including the February attack where a smaller angel was placed in a bin and a teddy bear was stolen.
Community Support and Legal Response
In response to the first vandalism, a GoFundMe page set up by supporters raised over £23,000, surpassing the £13,000 target. This allowed for temporary repairs and plans to install new, more secure marble cherubs. Denise praised an "Army of Heroes" for their support, which enabled her to visit the grave on James's birthday in March without feeling "totally devastated."
Katie McCreath, Director of KMC Legal & Finance and part of Denise's legal team, expressed deep sadness and anger. "This marks the second incident of its kind, and it is both distressing and unacceptable," she said. "The impact goes far beyond property damage—it is a deeply personal and emotional violation." The legal team is liaising with authorities as the investigation progresses.
Background and Legacy
James Bulger was tortured and killed by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged ten at the time, in February 1993. In the aftermath, Denise and her husband Stuart established the James Bulger Memorial Trust to support other families facing hardships. One of their initiatives includes a holiday lodge near Blackpool for families in need.
Excess donations from the fundraising campaign will go toward the upkeep of this lodge. Denise reflected on the original cherubs, which had been with the family for over 30 years—"far longer than I was able to have with James"—and expressed gratitude for the community's love and support in preserving his memory.
