“I will never forgive them. And I hope that they’re listening to part of this and rethinking their actions,” said Emma Webber, expressing the deep frustration of families affected by the tragic events in Nottingham.
On June 13, 2023, Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic, killed 19-year-old students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, along with caretaker Ian Coates, 65, in a shocking series of attacks. Following the stabbings, Calocane ran over three pedestrians with a stolen van, escalating the horror of the incident.
Calocane later admitted to manslaughter and attempted murder, a plea that has left the victims’ families in disbelief. They were particularly shocked to learn that prosecutors intended to accept this plea instead of pursuing murder charges, which were initially expected to be three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
David Webber, Barnaby’s father, stated, “In this case, they have let us down. And they have acted in a way that I think is abhorrent. I can’t forgive them for that because this is my son…” His words reflect a growing sentiment among the families regarding the police’s handling of the investigation.
Sanjoy Kumar, Grace’s father, criticized the police for not testing Calocane for drugs while in custody, highlighting a significant oversight. “You had to sign them, but what was not highlighted was that this is a point in time where you are also signing to say that samples could be taken. That was absolutely not pointed out,” he remarked.
Retired Nottinghamshire Police Detective Superintendent Leigh Sanders has since apologized for not taking a hair sample from Calocane, further fueling the outrage from the families. They feel their children’s privacy was not respected during the investigation, compounding their grief.
Emma Webber described a WhatsApp message from police about her son’s injuries as “disgusting and grotesque,” underscoring the emotional toll this case has taken on the victims’ families.
As the inquiry into the attacks continues, the families are left grappling with their loss and the perceived failures of law enforcement. They demand accountability and justice for their loved ones.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further developments in the case, but the families are determined to seek answers and ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.