Damilola Taylor's mother dies of a suspected heart attack near where he was murdered 10 years ago

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The mother of stabbed schoolboy Damilola Taylor has died of a suspected heart attack just miles from where the ten-year-old was killed.

Gloria Taylor, 57, who dedicated her life after her son's death to helping underprivileged children, collapsed while walking near her home in Blackheath, South East London, on Tuesday night.

Her husband Richard was by chance nearby.

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Gloria Taylor with her husband Richard at the trial of their son's killers

He went to help a crowd tending to a woman on the pavement - only to discover it was his wife.

Family friend Dora Dixon-Fyle said: "Richard is devastated.

"He got off the bus and was walking home when he saw a crowd of people around someone on the floor.

"He rushed to the scene and only when he saw her face did he realise it was Gloria. He told me as soon as he saw her face he knew she had left him."

Mrs Taylor had just returned from visiting a Harley Street doctor after complaining twice in the last week of pains.

Her husband was at her side in the ambulance as she went to hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after.

Damilola Taylor was murdered in November 2000

Last night tributes poured in for a "remarkable woman who displayed incredible dignity and courage in the face of tragedy" and whose family had helped "make a difference" to the lives of young people.

The Taylors came to Britain from Nigeria in 2000 looking for better treatment for their daughter Gbemi, who suffered

a severe form of epilepsy.

But only a few months later, that November, their son Damilola was attacked on the rundown North Peckham estate, South London, while walking home from the local library after school.

A broken beer bottle was thrust into his leg and he bled to death in a stairwell.

Mrs Taylor later recalled how when she got to hospital her son was already dead.

"I couldn't believe it was him," she said, "I pulled him and I put my head on him and all that came out from his lips was blood...splashed over his face and just like a dream to me."

The tragedy came to symbolise youth crime in Britain.

Mrs Taylor was praised for her dignity and courage as she endured three Old Bailey trials and two police investigations that were strongly criticised.

She had to watch as the killers were protected by a wall of silence and as those charged walked free from court.

Eventually, in 2006, teenage street robbers Danny and Ricky Preddie were convicted of Damilola's manslaughter and jailed for eight years.

A report in May 2007 laid bare errors made by forensic scientists investigating the case.

Mrs Taylor and her husband launched the Damilola Taylor Trust in 2001 on the first anniversary of their son's death to support young crime victims and offer other paths to those tempted by crime.

Its campaigns have included a nationwide bid to get two million young people to pledge to stop carrying knives.

Mrs Taylor said the trust aimed to provide hope and opportunities to "downtrodden and underprivileged youth".

"Damilola lost his life because of enormous problems in this society. Our son wanted to be a doctor," she said.

"He was a leader and we are sure he would have been extraordinary.

"We would like the trust to heal many of the ills faced by today's youth."

Solicitor Neil O'May, who has worked with the Taylors since Damilola's killing, said he was shocked by Mrs Taylor's death.

"Gloria was known to be wholly devoted to Damilola, her children and her family," he said. "Everyone who knew her well found her enormous integrity and deep warmth enormously invigorating.

"She lived with tremendous dignity and integrity."

In 2006 a Peckham youth centre was officially rededicated in Damilola's name by Tony Blair.

Nick Stanton, leader of Southwark Borough Council which runs the centre, said he was "shocked and saddened" to hear of Mrs Taylor's passing.

 

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