“NOT A SINGLE DAY WE DON’T THINK ABOUT IT” — James Bulger’s parents share the pain that never goes away… and how the system has often seemed to shield his kil-lers more than protect their little boy 💔😔

32 years after the heartbreaking loss of their two-year-old son James in 1993, Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger still carry the grief every single day.

With one of the perpetrators, Jon Venables, now facing another full parole hearing in early 2026—despite past breaches of his license—Denise has spoken openly about the deep hurt it brings back.

Full details:

More than three decades after the tragic abduction and murder of two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, his parents Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger continue to live with profound, daily sorrow. In recent interviews, both have reiterated a simple but powerful truth: “Not a single day we don’t think about it.”

The crime shocked Britain and the world when James was taken from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, on February 12, 1993, by two 10-year-old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson. The pair were convicted of murder—the youngest murderers in modern British legal history—and sentenced to detention at Her Majesty’s pleasure. After serving eight years, they were released on license in 2001 and granted lifelong anonymity through a court injunction to protect their safety and rehabilitation.

The case has resurfaced repeatedly due to Venables’ subsequent breaches of license conditions. He was recalled to prison in 2010 and again in 2017 after being found in possession of indecent images of children, serving additional custodial terms each time. Thompson has remained out of the public eye since his release and has no further recorded convictions.

In January 2026, the Parole Board approved a full oral hearing for Venables, now 43, marking his first such review in more than two years after he declined a paper-based assessment in 2023. The family was notified on January 13, prompting immediate expressions of distress. A spokesperson for Denise Fergus stated: “Once again, Denise has been forced to confront a process that reopens unimaginable trauma. She had hoped for a different outcome that would allow some measure of peace.”

Denise, 57, plans to observe the hearing—expected in February or March—from a separate room via video link, where she will hear Venables’ voice for the first time since the original trial. She has voiced concern about the implications of any release, noting that Venables “has proved he cannot be given yet another chance,” yet the system has provided one. She worries he would lose institutional protection and face ongoing risks, while also questioning whether he has truly changed.

Ralph Bulger has long criticized aspects of the handling of the case, including the anonymity order and perceived leniency toward the perpetrators. In past statements, he has argued that the focus on rehabilitating the offenders sometimes overshadows the lifelong suffering of victims’ families. He has unsuccessfully challenged the injunction protecting Venables’ identity.

The parents’ ongoing pain is intensified by periodic public reminders. Denise has campaigned against disturbing online content, including AI-generated videos on platforms like TikTok that depict James or recreate elements of the crime. In 2025, she met with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to advocate for stronger safeguards against such material, arguing that existing laws do not adequately protect grieving families from further harm.

Through the James Bulger Memorial Trust, Denise continues to support child safety initiatives, funding programs that address bullying, abuse prevention, and support for bereaved families. She has reached out to other parents who have lost children to violence, including those affected by the 2024 murder of Shawn Seesahai by two 12-year-olds, offering empathy drawn from her own experience.

The upcoming parole hearing has reignited debate over juvenile justice, offender rehabilitation, and victim rights in the UK. Advocates for the Bulger family argue that repeated reviews force ongoing engagement with the justice system, reopening wounds without delivering final closure. Supporters of rehabilitation emphasize that Venables was a child at the time of the offense and that the law prioritizes reform and risk management for juvenile offenders.

The Parole Board’s 2023 decision to deny release cited concerns over Venables’ ongoing risks, including issues with honesty and behavior. The board will now consider updated evidence, victim statements, and professional assessments during the oral hearing.

Denise has said she does not know how she will respond emotionally to hearing Venables speak, fearing a surge of long-held grief and anger. She has emphasized that true forgiveness would feel like a betrayal of James’ memory, and the daily ache remains unchanged by time or legal outcomes.

Ralph has spoken in the past about how the loss fractured their family, contributing to the end of their marriage while both parents remained committed to honoring James. Public opinion often aligns with the Bulgers, with many calling for greater transparency, stricter monitoring, or even revocation of anonymity in exceptional cases.

The James Bulger case remains one of the most scrutinized in British legal history, serving as a reference point for discussions on youth crime, sentencing, and the balance between offender rehabilitation and victim/family needs. As the latest parole process begins, Denise and Ralph’s words highlight a simple reality: for those left behind, grief does not fade—it becomes part of every day.

The family continues to seek peace amid the uncertainty, supported by a community that remembers James as an innocent child whose loss still resonates deeply across the nation.