The parents of the teens involved in the Nottingham tragedy have expressed their unwavering commitment to seeking the complete truth as they prepare for a public inquiry into the incident. Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, were fatally stabbed by Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic, while walking home together in June 2023. Calocane, 34, also attacked Ian Coates, a 65-year-old school caretaker, in another area of the city. Despite being identified as a danger, Calocane was discharged from Nottingham’s mental health services without proper follow-up or risk assessment.
Prior to the attack, community mental health workers were advised to visit Calocane in pairs and to be aware of exits due to concerns about his potential for violence. Eight months after his release, Calocane carried out a violent knife attack. Following a plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order.
A public inquiry, set to commence soon and initiated by Sir Keir Starmer, will scrutinize Calocane’s interactions with mental health services before the tragic events. Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, Grace’s father, expressed his gratitude for the inquiry, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the complete truth. He stressed the need for accountability and transparency to drive necessary changes in the mental health system to prevent similar incidents in the future.
An independent report highlighted systemic deficiencies such as the absence of proper risk assessments for patients. Ifti Majid, the chief executive of the health trust, faced challenges attending meetings due to legal obligations related to the inquiry.
The families impacted by the tragedy are hopeful that the inquiry will shed light on the failures in Calocane’s care and lead to constructive changes. Emma Webber, Barnaby’s mother, expressed a sense of validation with the start of the inquiry, emphasizing the importance of accountability and positive change within the system.
Wayne Birkett, who sustained severe injuries during the attacks, including memory loss and physical impairments, shared his ongoing struggles. Legal representation for the victims and survivors praised their courage in seeking justice and change through the Nottingham Inquiry.
Chaired by retired judge Her Honour Deborah Taylor, the Nottingham Inquiry will continue to gather evidence until the end of May.