Lancashire Police have charged a local man with manslaughter after the death of 42-year-old Robert Kerr, who was treated at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with significant injuries in September 2024 and subsequently died.
Police investigation and charge
Emergency staff called officers after Mr Kerr arrived at the hospital’s accident and emergency department on Saturday 14 September 2024 with serious injuries. He was in a critical condition and died three days later. A Home Office post-mortem examination recorded the death as a homicide.
Detectives believe Mr Kerr sustained the injuries at his home on Coronation Street in Blackpool late on Sunday 1 September 2024 or in the early hours of Monday 2 September 2024. During an investigation spanning almost two years, officers arrested five men on suspicion of murder.
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, police confirmed that one of those arrested — Andrew McElwee, 29, of Sutherland Road, Blackpool — has been charged with manslaughter. He is due to appear at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on 21 August. The other four men arrested have been released with no further action.
“Robert Kerr, 42, died in September 2024 after attending A&E with significant injuries,” a Lancashire Police spokesman said.
Family reaction and local context
In March 2025 Mr Kerr’s mother paid tribute to her son, describing him as her "loving and caring youngest child". That public tribute underlined the personal cost to family and friends as criminal proceedings progress.
The case has been handled by specialist officers given the severity of the injuries and the decision to treat the death as a homicide. The lengthy investigation and multiple arrests reflect the complexity of enquiries needed in cases where there are significant gaps between an alleged assault and hospital admission.
- Victim: Robert Kerr, aged 42
- Charged: Andrew McElwee, 29, of Sutherland Road, Blackpool
- Court date: Lancaster Magistrates’ Court, 21 August
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Late 1 Sept / early 2 Sept 2024 | Alleged assault at Coronation Street address |
| 14 Sept 2024 | Mr Kerr attended A&E at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with serious injuries |
| 17 Sept 2024 | Mr Kerr died in hospital |
| March 2025 | Family tribute published |
| 21 Aug (year unspecified by source) | Scheduled court appearance at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court for the accused |
Anyone with information about the case who has not already spoken to Lancashire Police is asked to contact the force. As the matter will proceed through the courts, further details will be for the judicial process and prosecuting counsel to confirm.
