Ribble Valley mum killed in bomb blast

A Ribble Valley mother was killed in the Manchester Arena bomb blasts, her family confirmed today.
Michelle KissMichelle Kiss
Michelle Kiss

Mother-of-three Michelle Kiss was taken away in the "most traumatic way imaginable", her family said as they vowed to "draw from the courage and strength she showed in her life".

Ms Kiss, from Lancashire, was among the 22 people killed on Monday when a suicide bomber detonated a homemade device that tore through the foyer of Manchester Arena as people left following a pop concert.

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In a statement issued through Greater Manchester Police, her family said: "Michelle Kiss was a loving wife to Tony, mother to Dylan, Elliot and Millie, as well as daughter to Mick and Christine and sister to Nichola.

"She tragically died during the horrible event that occurred on Monday night.

"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.

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"We hope to draw from the courage and strength she showed in her life to get through this extremely difficult time."

The news comes after a desperate appeal to find Whalley-based Michelle Kiss was shared by her son on Facebook.

In the appeal her son Elliot said: "Please can you let me know if anyone has seen my mum, she’s called Michelle Kiss and she was at the Ariana Grande concert. Please share."

The Blackburn College student's post was shared thousands of times as people tried to help him find his mother.

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Michael Wright, Headteacher at St Augustine's High School in Billington said: "We were very sad to hear the news of the tragic death of Michelle Kiss, the mother of two former pupils, Elliot and Dylan Kiss, at the MEN Arena.

"Our hearts, prayers and thoughts go out to the family at this time."

The 45-year-old mother tragically shared a picture to her Facebook page shortly before entering the concert with her smiling daughter and the caption: "Excited girlies ready to watch Ariana.”