Northumbria Police is investigating Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) for corporate manslaughter over its care and treatment of Valdo Calocane, who killed three people in Nottingham in June 2023.
Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic, fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65, on 13 June 2023. He also attempted to murder three pedestrians using a van stolen from Mr Coates. He received an indefinite hospital order after admitting manslaughter and attempted murder.
Police Investigation Confirmed
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are very much with the victims, their families and all those impacted by the tragic events in Nottingham in June 2023. We can confirm we are subsequently carrying out an investigation on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police.”
Calocane had been sectioned four times while under NHFT’s care before being discharged to his GP. A public inquiry heard he was discharged by the trust's Early Intervention in Psychosis service after missing appointments, with the team having effectively “lost” contact with him.
Victim’s Mother Responds
Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, said the investigation marks “the beginning of the reckoning.” She stated: “The news that Nottinghamshire Mental Health Trust is being investigated for corporate manslaughter is an unprecedented move that will send much-needed shockwaves across our public services, and in particular the NHS.”
She added: “We have been aware this was being considered since December 2025, and a number of weeks ago were told, following a meeting with Northumbria Police, who will be leading the investigation, that the very high threshold and bar had been met.”
Mrs Webber called for accountability “at the organisational level,” including chief executives, board members, and clinicians who “failed to manage and recognise the threat posed by Valdo Calocane.”
NHFT Cooperation
NHFT confirmed it would be “co-operating fully” with the police investigation. A spokesman said: “We know how important the independent inquiry and police investigation are for the affected families, the survivors and our local communities.”
The public inquiry into the attacks, which concluded in June, heard from 164 witnesses. Chairwoman Her Honour Deborah Taylor is expected to deliver her findings and recommendations in the coming year.
