Who is Lee Rigby and where are his killers now?

Ten years after the murder of Lee Rigby his son has spoken out for the first time

Updated 18 May 2023 at 11:57 am·4-min read

Ten years after the brutal killing of Lee Rigby, his son, who was just a toddler at the time of his death, has spoken about the pride he feels for his father for the first time.

Jack Rigby, 12, who was two when Lee was killed in 2013, said he wants to raise thousands of pounds for bereaved military children.

He plans to run a marathon and raise £100,000 - £10,000 for each year since his father's death.

What happened to Lee Rigby?

Lee Rigby was 25 years old and serving in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers when he was killed.

On 22 May 2013, Rigby was attacked near the Woolwich Barracks, where he was stationed.

While crossing a road he was hit by a car driven by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale.

There was an outpouring of support across the UK after the murder. (PA)

The pair left the car, attacked Rigby with knives, and attempted to behead him.

Several members of the public attempted to intervene and protect Rigby's body while they tried to administer aid.

The attackers remained at the scene and told people they attacked Rigby because of the Muslims killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Adebolajo was recorded as saying: "The only reason we have killed this man today is because Muslims are dying daily by British soldiers."

Tributes were left for weeks outside of Lee Rigby's former barracks. (PA)

Eventually, armed police arrived at the scene, and were charged by the two attackers who were then shot.

Both survived and were taken to hospital.

What has his family said?

At the time of Rigby's death, he had a two-year-old son with his ex-wife and was engaged to be married to another woman.

Speaking this week Jack opened up about the struggle of growing up without his dad

He said: "Going on a long walk is a nice break and reminds me it's not all bad."

Jack said he exercises to cope with the grief and plans to run a marathon and raise money.

He added: "I feel proud doing the May Marathon in honour of my dad."

Jack's mother, Rebecca told the Mirror: "Just because Jack was young, it doesn't mean he's forgotten Lee.

"He wants to show how even though he's grown up without Lee, he's not forgotten his dad."

Thousands attended Lee Rigby's funeral. (PA)

Members of Rigby's family have spoken regularly to the media since his death and opened up about their grief.

On 1 May this year Rigby's mum, Lyn told the Mirror about her "decade of heartbreak".

She said: "Ten years without my son has been heart-breaking. The pain is there every day, so much so that it becomes a part of you."

Lyn said the only reason her family survived the aftermath was by pulling together.

Lyn Rigby, the mother of Lee Rigby, at the trial of his killers. (PA)

She said: “We will always have an empty chair at the heart of our family now – at birthdays, Christmas and Easter – even summer barbecues and simple get-togethers. Lee will always be missing but he is never forgotten.

She added when one of Rigby's sisters got married "she had a chair and a place setting for Lee at her top table with a candle burning next to a gorgeous photo of her brother".

What was the reaction at the time?

Political and religious leaders from all sectors of society condemned the attack and there was an outpouring of grief from across the nation.

Queen Elizabeth II expressed her sorrow and then-prime minister David Cameron said the action "was a betrayal of Islam and the Muslim communities that give so much to our country".

Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson attended the funeral. (PA)

Cameron and the then mayor of London Boris Johnson attended Rigby's funeral.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra issued a joint Muslim-Christian statement condemning the attack.

What happened to Lee’s killers?

Both were handed life sentences, Adebowale was given a minimum of 45 years and Adebolajo - the older of the two - was handed a whole life order without the possibility of release.

Michael Adebolajo was given a life sentence. (PA)

Both attempted to reduce their sentences but were rejected by the courts.

In June 2018 Adebolajo said he regretted his actions saying he had "misinterpreted" the Quran and was brainwashed.

Rigby's mother said she would never forgive him.

In 2022, it was reported Adebolajo was banned from attending yoga classes while in prison over fears he would spread extremism among inmates.