A grandmother who was sexually assaulted while on a stroke ward at Blackpool Victoria Hospital uttered two mysterious phrases while unconscious days before her death, an inquest has heard.
Valerie Kneale, 75, was admitted on November 12, 2018, after falling from a kitchen chair at her home in Knott End on Sea, Lancashire. Initially thought to have suffered a minor stroke, scans revealed a bleed on the brain. Her family left her that evening, but she suffered another stroke overnight and never regained consciousness.
Doctors told relatives she could be transferred for surgery but would likely remain in a vegetative state. The family made the 'horrendous decision' to place her on end-of-life care. While unconscious, Mrs Kneale made whimpering noises and scratched at her chest and thigh. Her daughter Sharon said: 'A staff member said it was an involuntary movement but looking back I believe she was trying to indicate or tell us something.' That day, she also said 'no response' and 'babies do that'. Son Mike added: 'The phrases were not something mum would normally say.'
A post-mortem concluded Mrs Kneale died not from her stroke but from a 'forcible sexual assault' inflicted during her hospital stay. Home Office pathologist Dr Alison Armour found a large wound to the vaginal wall and said the injury occurred at least 48 hours before death. Healthcare assistants preparing her body discovered 'blood everywhere'.
Despite a seven-year investigation and a murder probe, no one has been convicted. Coroner Alan Wilson said: 'All possible lines of enquiry have been looked at but the evidence to bring a criminal prosecution isn't there. The case will always remain open and has been transferred to the major crime unit.'
