The NHS trust that treated triple killer Valdo Calocane is being investigated for corporate manslaughter — as the mother of one of his victims says the probe will send “much-needed shockwaves across our public services”.
Northumbria Police is looking at matters relating to the care and treatment of paranoid schizophrenic Calocane by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), the trust has said.
Calocane, who was under the care of NHFT from 2020 until 2022, had a rucksack of weapons when he fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in Nottingham in the early hours of 13 June 2023.
He then attempted to murder three pedestrians in Nottingham city centre using a van he stole from Mr Coates, leaving them seriously injured.
Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted murder.
The former mechanical engineering student had been sectioned four times while under the care of NHFT, before he was discharged to his GP.
A public inquiry, which looked at events leading up to the killings, heard he was discharged by the trust’s Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service because he failed to turn up for appointments and the team had “lost” him.
A spokesperson for NHFT confirmed that Northumbria Police, acting on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, had started an investigation.
Emma Webber, mother of University of Nottingham history student Barnaby, who was killed alongside his friend Ms O’Malley-Kumar as they walked back to their accommodation after going out to celebrate the end of the academic year, said the police investigation signifies “the beginning of the reckoning”.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Mrs Webber said: “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.
“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.
“This means a full investigation with the involvement of the CPS will now commence, and that accountability at the organisational level we have been calling for is beginning.
“This has to be the line in the sand – when those who fail, neglect and cover up, from the leaders at the top down, are fully held to account and made to recognise their failures.
“This includes chief executives, chairmen of the board, non-executive and executive board members, as well as the negligent clinicians, practitioners and hospital managers who over a sustained period failed to manage and recognise the threat posed by Valdo Calocane.
“They chose to allow him to dictate what was happening, and therefore failed to treat a man who refused treatment, allowing him to go on to commit the murder and take the lives of three innocent souls.
“This statement today brings us no joy, but it does signify the beginning of the reckoning – in Barney’s memory, in Grace’s memory and in Ian’s memory, and for the protection of those in the future who could face another Valdo Calocane.
“We now ask that, for the first time, all of those involved who will be required to participate do so with full candour and transparency.”
The public inquiry into the attacks, which lasted more than three months and heard from 164 witnesses, finished in June and chairwoman Her Honour Deborah Taylor is expected to report back with her findings and recommendations next year.
In a statement, NHFT said it would be “co-operating fully” with the police investigation.
A spokesman said: “Northumbria Police, acting on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, have begun an investigation into matters relating to the care and treatment of Valdo Calocane.
“We know how important the independent inquiry and police investigation are for the affected families, the survivors and our local communities.
“We will, of course, be co-operating fully with Northumbria Police, as we have with the Statutory Inquiry into these matters which is being chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor, and which will hear final submissions from all the parties involved later this year.”
