Helen Wilson, aged 59, the partner of the British man who tragically lost his life in the Bataclan terror attack, has recently expressed her deep love and everlasting sorrow for him as the tenth anniversary of the incident approaches. Helen was by the side of Nick Alexander, a merchandising manager, when armed assailants stormed the music venue in Paris on November 13, 2015. Despite sustaining gunshot wounds to both legs, she cradled Nick in her arms, attempting to resuscitate him with mouth-to-mouth breathing in a desperate bid to save his life.
In a heartfelt tribute posted on social media, Helen shared, “I never imagined navigating this world without you, Nicky, but here I am, traveling and fulfilling the role you once held. I love you. I always will. I miss you. I always will.” She continued, “Tonight, I enjoyed Filet mignon in your memory… accompanied by green beans and Mac n Cheese… and a side of whiskey. Remember how much we enjoyed that?” Helen reflected on the ongoing journey of healing her broken heart, acknowledging that a part of it will forever remain with Nick. She described herself as “rocked by the waves but not sunk,” referring to Nick as her eternal Star 80.
Nick, aged 35, hailing from Colchester, Essex, was one of the 90 individuals who lost their lives at the Bataclan venue, with an additional 40 fatalities occurring in coordinated attacks across Paris, leaving 416 others wounded. Attending a performance by the American rock band Eagles of Death Metal, Nick and Helen, originally from the United States, were among the 1,500 fans when the attackers entered and opened fire.
Following the tragic events, Helen, who was residing in Paris at the time, provided testimony during the 10-month trial of Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving member of the 10-person terrorist cell responsible for the attacks. Abdeslam, expressing remorse during the trial, received a life sentence for terror-related charges, including murder and attempted murder.
In her reflections after the trial concluded in July 2022, Helen spoke with forgiveness towards Nick’s perpetrators, expressing, “Harboring hate and seeking vengeance does not bring solace, and forgiveness is the most constructive way to cope with such tragedies.” Regarding Abdeslam, she expressed uncertainty about the efficacy of life imprisonment, emphasizing her belief in his sincerity and the potential risks of radicalization in prison. Helen conveyed a sense of compassion towards him, acknowledging the complexities of his actions and the circumstances that led him down that path.
Initially struggling with feelings of guilt for not being able to save Nick, Helen shared her ongoing struggle to find inner peace, though she has found solace in being able to finally rest. She mentioned that Nick is always in her thoughts, sometimes feeling his presence watching over her, hoping that he would be proud of her progress.