What happened to Lee Rigby? Who is He? How did He Die?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 27, 2023
Who is Lee Rigby?
Lee Rigby was a 25-year-old drummer from Middleton, Greater Manchester who served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He had been stationed in Cyprus, Germany, and Afghanistan. Lee had separated from his wife, Rebecca, with whom he had a two-year-old son named Jack, and was engaged to Aimee West when he was killed.
Lee supported the charity Help 4 Heroes and was wearing a branded hoodie when he was attacked and killed outside his barracks in Woolwich, South East London. In 2017, on what would have been his 30th birthday, Lee's family paid tribute to him.
His mother, Lyn Rigby, stated that she misses him every day and believes he guides her in everything she does. In 2020, Lee's widow, Rebecca, also tweeted a message wishing him a happy 30th birthday and expressing her eternal love and longing for him.
What Happened to Lee Rigby?
On May 22, 2013, while returning to Woolwich barracks from working at the Tower of London, Lee Rigby was targeted by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who had been searching for a victim for an hour. They ran him over with their car upon seeing his Help 4 Heroes hoodie, and then proceeded to stab and hack at his body with knives and a meat cleaver, nearly decapitating him. Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, a passer-by, attempted to shield Lee's body from further harm.
The killers waited for armed police to arrive and charged at the patrol car, hoping to be martyred. They were both shot and injured. On the fourth anniversary of Lee's death, which coincided with the Manchester terror attack, Lee's mother Lyn reached out to the families of the victims, emphasizing the importance of standing together against terrorism. Lee's father, Phil McClure, expressed feeling physically sick in response to the atrocity of the Manchester bombing.
The murder of Lee Rigby in 2013 received significant international media attention. The attack was widely covered by news outlets around the world, and it sparked a strong public reaction in the UK and beyond. The brutal nature of the attack, as well as the fact that it was carried out by Islamic extremists on a soldier in broad daylight, made it a major news story. The trial of Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who was convicted of Rigby's murder, also received extensive media coverage.
How Did Lee Rigby Die?
Lee James Rigby, a 25-year-old soldier from Middleton, Greater Manchester, was a machine gunner and drummer in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He had served in various countries, including Cyprus, Germany, and Afghanistan, before becoming a recruiter and assisting with duties in the Tower of London. Rigby was attacked while returning to barracks from working at the Tower.
He had a two-year-old son and had separated from his wife but was engaged to a new fiancée at the time of his death. Rigby supported the British Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes and was wearing a hoodie supporting the charity when he was attacked.
His death resulted in the charity receiving over £600,000 in donations within five days. Rigby received a military funeral at Bury Parish Church on 12 July 2013, attended by thousands of people, including present and former soldiers, the prime minister David Cameron, and Mayor of London Boris Johnson. A private burial service followed at Middleton Cemetery.
The first permanent memorial to him was installed in February 2014 at The Valley, a football stadium located less than one mile from the site of his murder. A post-mortem examination determined that Rigby had died from "multiple incised wounds".
Who Killed Lee Rigby?
Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, both of Nigerian descent, were initially raised as Christians before converting to radical Islam. Adebolajo, who was 28 years old during the attack, had previously studied at the University of Greenwich and was associated with the banned extremist group al-Muhajiroun, led by hate preacher Anjem Choudary.
In 2010, he was deported from Kenya with five others over suspicions of planning to train with the terror group al-Shabaab. Meanwhile, Adebowale, who was 22 years old at the time of the attack, was reportedly heavily influenced by Adebolajo. Not much is known about his upbringing, except that his father was a probation officer and a member of the Nigerian High Commission, and he also studied at the University of Greenwich.
Both men were found guilty of the murder of Lee Rigby in December 2013, with Adebolajo receiving a whole-life tariff and being labelled as Britain's most dangerous prisoner. Adebowale was sentenced to a minimum of 45 years in jail. However, in 2017, The Sun newspaper reported that Adebowale had been transferred to Broadmoor Hospital, costing taxpayers £250,000 per year.
In January 2021, it was reported that Adebowale, then 29 years old, had contracted Covid-19 and was fighting for his life in hospital. He was taken from Broadmoor after his condition deteriorated rapidly, and a source revealed that he was struggling to breathe and might need intensive care if his condition worsened.
When Did Lee Rigby Die?
Lee Rigby's death day will never ever forgotten in history. His death happened on a black day dated 22 May 2013. One of the terrorists who killed Lee Rigby reportedly fought for his life after contracting coronavirus in 2020. Michael Adebowale, who was serving a 45-year minimum term for murdering Fusilier Rigby in May 2013 on the streets of Woolwich, south-east London, was moved from high-security psychiatric hospital Broadmoor to a specialist ward after his condition deteriorated due to Covid-19.
According to reports at the time, he was placed on oxygen as he was "fighting for every breath." A source said that if he deteriorated much further, intensive care would be the next step. The mother of Fusilier Rigby, Lyn, was quoted as saying that it would "not be just for Covid to take this man (Adebowale) prematurely and end the sentence handed to him," and that "true justice for Lee is to see his killers remain behind bars and serve every day of their sentence."
Adebowale and Michael Adebolajo ran over the 25-year-old soldier close to Woolwich Barracks in May 2013 before stabbing him to death in broad daylight. Adebolajo was handed a whole-life jail term for the attack. Adebowale had spent three periods in Broadmoor since his conviction and was expected to spend the next five or 10 years in the hospital where he was being treated for paranoid schizophrenia.
In October 2019, he pleaded guilty to punching a healthcare assistant while being held in the secure hospital. Adebowale was given an eight-month prison sentence for the offense, which was to be served after his term for Fusilier Rigby's murder.
Lee Rigby Anniversary
Lee Rigby anniversary is going to fall on 22 May 2023 of this year. The anniversary of Lee Rigby's death is a somber occasion for his family and loved ones, as well as for many people across the United Kingdom. On May 22nd of each year, people remember and honor Lee Rigby's life and sacrifice, as well as the senseless act of violence that took his life.
Since his death in 2013, there have been many memorials, vigils, and events held in Lee's memory. These events bring together people from all walks of life to pay tribute to Lee and to show support for his family. They also serve as a reminder of the importance of coming together as a community in the face of tragedy.
On the anniversary of Lee's death, his family often shares their thoughts and memories of him with the public. In the years since his passing, they have spoken about their grief and their determination to keep Lee's memory alive. They have also called for an end to violence and extremism in all forms, in the hope that no other family will have to experience the pain they have endured.
Lee's death remains a tragic reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism in the UK and around the world. However, his life and legacy continue to inspire people to come together and work towards a better future for all.
Lee Rigby Wiki
Lee Rigby was born on July 4, 1987, in Manchester, UK. He was married to Rebecca Rigby, with whom he had one child. Lee Rigby's funeral took place on May 22, 2013, in Woolwich, London. Sadly, Lee Rigby passed away at the young age of 25 on May 22, 2013. He was born under the star sign of Cancer, but we don't have information about his parents' names. Let us have a look at Lee Rigby's biography
Name
Lee Rigby
Gender
Male
Profession
Army Soldier
Nationality
British
Birthday
4 July 1987
Born place
Crumpsall, Manchester, Uk
Death Day
22 May 2023
Death Place
Woolwich, London, United Kingdom
Age at Death
25
Marital Status
Engaged
Specifications
Details
What happened to Lee Rigby - FAQs
Lee Rigby was a 25-year-old British soldier who served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He was tragically killed in a terrorist attack in Woolwich, South East London, in May 2013.
Lee Rigby was attacked by two terrorists, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who ran him over with their car and then attacked him with knives and a meat cleaver. He suffered horrific injuries and died at the scene.
The attackers, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, were both British men of Nigerian heritage who had converted to Islam. They were later sentenced to life in prison for Lee Rigby's murder.
The news of Lee Rigby's death sent shockwaves throughout the UK and the world. Thousands of people attended vigils and laid flowers at the scene of the attack. The tragedy also sparked debates about terrorism, extremism, and national security.
Lee Rigby is remembered as a brave soldier who served his country with honor and distinction. His family and friends have set up a charity, the Lee Rigby Foundation, to support veterans and their families, as well as to promote understanding and unity in the face of extremism. The foundation also works to ensure that Lee's legacy is never forgotten.