The NHS trust that formerly cared for Valdo Calocane is the subject of a police investigation into possible corporate manslaughter, following the fatal attacks in Nottingham on 13 June 2023.
Police inquiry launched into care and treatment
Northumbria Police has begun an investigation on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police into matters relating to Calocane's care, the force has confirmed. The move follows a statutory public inquiry that examined the circumstances surrounding the case and finished taking evidence earlier this year.
Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020, was under the care of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for around two years before he was discharged in September 2022. The inquiry heard that he had been removed from care after failing to attend appointments and that the treatment team had effectively lost contact with him.
"We know how important the independent inquiry and police investigation are for the affected families, the survivors and our local communities."
The three people killed by Calocane on the morning of 13 June 2023 were Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates. Their families have been vocal in criticising the level of care provided, saying the trust had "catastrophically failed at every level" and welcoming the new investigation.
Where things stand now
Calocane pleaded guilty after the incident to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, along with three counts of attempted murder. He is currently subject to an indefinite hospital order.
A trust spokesperson said it would co-operate fully with the police probe and reiterated its engagement with the statutory inquiry, chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor, which will hear final submissions later in the year.
- Diagnosis: Paranoid schizophrenia (2020)
- Trust care period: Approximately two years until discharge in September 2022
- Attacks: 13 June 2023 – three people killed
- Legal status: Calocane pleaded guilty; serving an indefinite hospital order
| Key date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia |
| September 2022 | Discharged from trust care |
| 13 June 2023 | Fatal attacks in Nottingham |
| 2026 | Police investigation into corporate manslaughter begins |
The investigation is being led by Northumbria Police, which has said it will keep victims' families and survivors updated and provide support throughout the process. A spokesperson added that it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.
For local residents, the development raises questions about mental health care pathways, discharge decisions and the oversight of community treatment teams. The statutory inquiry and now the police probe will examine whether decisions made by the trust contributed to the tragic events of June 2023.
More details are expected as the police investigation proceeds and as the statutory inquiry moves towards its final submissions later in the year.
