Full Breakdown
Inquiry into Nottingham Stabbings Reveals Systemic Failures
3/26/2026, 2:24:47 AM
Overview of the Attacks
On June 13, 2023, Valdo Calocane carried out a series of stabbings in Nottingham, resulting in the deaths of University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and 65-year-old Ian Coates. The attacks left three others seriously injured. The ongoing Nottingham Inquiry, chaired by retired judge Deborah Taylor KC, is examining the circumstances surrounding the attacks and the subsequent actions of various agencies.
Key Testimonies and Concerns
During the inquiry, Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, father of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, expressed his "disgust" that toxicology tests were conducted on the victims but not on Calocane, who refused consent for testing while in custody. He criticized the police for their handling of the situation, particularly regarding the release of his daughter's body, which required signing a "human tissue form" that he felt was misleading.
Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby, echoed similar sentiments regarding the systemic failures in the mental health care system. She was outraged to learn that Calocane was not sectioned despite his dangerous behavior, with authorities reportedly concerned about the racial implications of admitting too many Black males to psychiatric facilities. "Why would colour... come into anything like that?" she questioned, emphasizing that public safety should take precedence over demographic considerations.
Police Conduct and Victim Support
The inquiry also revealed troubling details about the police's communication with the victims' families. Ian Coates's sons, James and Lee, recounted learning about their father's death through an Instagram message rather than official channels. They criticized Nottinghamshire Police for their lack of timely communication and for leaving Ian's body at the crime scene for 15 hours. "We were calling 101... to get some information," Lee stated, highlighting their frustration with the police's failure to keep them informed.
Additionally, the inquiry uncovered that officers had shared offensive messages about the victims in a WhatsApp group, leading to public outrage and disciplinary actions against those involved. Emma Webber described the content of these messages as "destructive" and "grotesque."
Official Responses and Ongoing Investigations
Nottinghamshire Police have since apologized for not taking toxicology samples from Calocane, citing a "complete absence of any reference of drugs or drug abuse" in the investigation. The inquiry continues to explore the failures of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which discharged Calocane months before the attacks. Elaine Newton, Ian Coates's partner, expressed her disillusionment with the trust's management of Calocane's care, stating that the apology she received was "too little too late."
Conclusion
The Nottingham Inquiry is set to continue, with families of the victims seeking accountability for the systemic failures that contributed to the tragic events of June 2023. The inquiry aims to uncover the full extent of the lapses in care and communication that led to the loss of three lives and the suffering of many others.
