The Nottingham Inquiry has been told that the death of one student during the 2023 attacks was “potentially preventable.” Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates were all killed by Valdo Calocane on 13 June 2023. While the medical panel concluded that the deaths of Grace and Ian were not preventable, they suggested that a more rapid administration of blood products could have increased Barnaby’s chances of reaching the hospital with a sufficient heartbeat to undergo surgery.
Medical professionals assessed the emergency response to determine the “survivability” of the victims. Their report acknowledged the diligent efforts of emergency responders on the day of the tragedy. However, the panel noted that even with earlier blood product intervention, multiple other rapid, specific medical actions would have been required for Barnaby to survive. The assessment indicated that he had a less than 50% chance of survival.
As these findings were read by counsel Rachel Langdale KC, family members expressed deep distress, with Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, Grace’s father, leaving the hearing room. The inquiry, which began in February, has examined evidence from over 100 witnesses, including police, mental health practitioners, and family members, to address the systemic failures surrounding Calocane’s care.
Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020, is currently serving an indefinite hospital order in a high-security facility. He pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder for the injuries he inflicted on Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller, and Marcin Gawronski.
In her closing remarks, Langdale emphasized the vital role of the bereaved families in securing a public inquiry. She echoed the sentiments of former parliamentary ombudsman Sir Rob Behrens, noting that families are often forced to campaign for justice at their most vulnerable moments. She stated, “Barney, Grace and Ian should be alive. And the survivors – uninjured.”
The inquiry chair, retired senior judge Deborah Taylor KC, expressed disappointment that significant evidence emerged only recently, after the conclusion of oral hearings. This late-disclosed information includes notebooks found at Calocane’s former Burford Road residence, which were not provided to the inquiry until June. These notebooks contained disturbing entries, including claims by Calocane that he was a god and references to “mind-reading software” used by police.
Counsel for the families, Tim Moloney KC, argued that these documents reveal deep-seated misogyny and relevant behavioral patterns that were previously overlooked. Additionally, the inquiry learned of violent assaults committed by Calocane against warehouse colleagues in Eastwood in 2021 and Normanton in February 2023. Footage of the latter incident, showing a sustained attack, was presented to the hearing on Tuesday.
Moloney criticized the authorities for failing to follow established policies and procedures, suggesting that public agencies repeatedly ignored red flags between 2020 and 2023. He argued that police were too quick to dismiss serious incidents, while clinicians prioritized a “least restrictive practice” that failed to protect the public and the victims.
The inquiry is currently processing these final updates before moving to closing oral submissions. Judge Taylor has directed all core participants to submit any necessary corrections regarding errors or omissions by 31 December. The investigation continues to scrutinize the systemic failures that preceded the events of 13 June 2023. The report also notes that large parts of Nottingham were cordoned off by police following the attacks. The report also notes that his previous interactions with police and failings both during and in the aftermath of the attacks, a number of revelations emerged in evidence about errors in Calocane’s care. The report also notes that and it is an outstanding public service that they perform, she said: “Too often these cases are dependent upon bereaved families campaigning at a time when they are least prepared to do so. The report also notes that the evidence we have obtained has revealed one failure after another. The report also notes that there is a suggestion in some submissions that further oral evidence should be called. The report also notes that before returning via to Nottingham shortly before midnight on 12 June, a day before his killings, calocane was evicted from the address on 11 June 2023 and travelled to London. The report also notes that the inquiry was told detailed examination of the holdall bag was not prioritised because efforts were focused on finding a bag which Calocane had with him on the evening of the attacks.
