The mother of a murdered Bristol teenager calls for better education on knife crime to prevent future tragedies and protect young lives
Bristol: It’s heartbreaking to hear about the loss of a young life. Leanne Ekland, the mother of Max Dixon, who was tragically murdered, is speaking out. She’s calling for schools to step up their education on knife crime. She believes families also need to keep a closer eye on their kids.
She recalls the chaos, the paramedics cutting his clothes, and her heart breaking as she realized what was happening. Leanne feels like the killers have taken everything from her. She says it’s hard to imagine moving on because Max was the glue of their family.
The boys were attacked over a misunderstanding, wrongly identified as troublemakers. It’s just so senseless. The attackers were armed with machetes and a sword, and they didn’t give Max and Mason a chance to defend themselves.
Recently, the attackers were sentenced, but that doesn’t bring back Max. Leanne describes him as a fun-loving kid who wanted to be a firefighter. He and Mason had a special bond, having been friends since they were little.
On that fateful night, Leanne thought Max was at home, but he had gone out for food with Mason. When she heard the shouting outside, she couldn’t believe it. The realization hit her hard, and she rushed to find her son.
She often thinks about how scared Max and Mason must have been. Leanne doesn’t understand the gang culture that led to this violence. She believes education about knife crime is crucial. Kids need to know the consequences of carrying a knife and how it affects everyone involved.
In September, the UK government banned certain types of knives, which Leanne sees as a positive step. She hopes that young people will understand the seriousness of carrying a weapon and that there will be real consequences for those who do.
Leanne tries not to dwell on the killers because it takes away from her memories of Max. She still keeps his things in his room, holding onto every precious memory. It’s a tough journey, but she’s determined to make a difference.