A public inquiry has commenced to investigate the critical failings by health and law enforcement agencies prior to the tragic triple homicide committed by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham. The inquiry highlights alarming gaps in mental health assessments and management, particularly concerning Calocane’s mental state leading up to the attacks in June 2023, which resulted in the deaths of University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both just 19, as well as 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates.
Mother’s Plea for Help Ignored
During the initial hearings, it was revealed that Calocane’s mother, Celeste, had urged for her son to be hospitalised following a violent episode three years prior to the stabbings. Despite displaying signs of severe mental distress, including kicking and punching doors in a fit of rage, mental health professionals ultimately decided that he could be treated in the community without inpatient care.
On 24 May 2020, Calocane was assessed after this violent outburst and was diagnosed with psychosis. He was reported to be experiencing auditory hallucinations, appearing vacant, and had not slept for five days. It was during a follow-up assessment that Dr Gandhi and his team determined that Calocane should receive treatment with antipsychotic medication as an outpatient rather than as an inpatient.
Dr Gandhi expressed his hesitance to detain Calocane, citing concerns regarding the overrepresentation of young Black males in mental health detention, although he clarified that this consideration did not directly influence their decision-making regarding Calocane’s admission.
Flaws in the Mental Health Assessment Process
The inquiry is probing the adequacy of the mental health assessments conducted on Calocane, particularly around the time he was deemed fit for community treatment. Counsel for the inquiry, Rachel Langdale, cited research from the Royal College of Psychiatrists which stated that there is no evidence to suggest that racial biases affect admission rates. While Calocane had been admitted to a hospital on four previous occasions, the decision to release him into the community raised serious questions.
In one troubling incident shortly after his release, Calocane attempted to break into another neighbour’s flat, causing the resident to jump from a first-floor window in terror, resulting in severe spinal injuries. Following this incident, his mother again expressed concerns about her son’s capacity to pose a danger to himself and others, yet he remained in the community until a subsequent mental health assessment deemed him suitable for detention.
Analysis of Calocane’s Online Behaviour
In the wake of the June attacks, investigations into Calocane’s online activities revealed concerning patterns. He had been researching topics related to “mind control technology” and viewing extreme content, including videos of shootings. This raises further questions about the level of monitoring and support provided during his final hospital stay, particularly given his history of violence.
The inquiry seeks to understand why health professionals did not inquire about Calocane’s online behaviour and whether patients are generally allowed unrestricted access to their phones while in care. Additionally, the last risk assessment before the attacks raised alarms about Calocane’s history of aggression but did not extend adequate precautions to protect the wider community, leaving significant gaps in public safety.
Continuing Implications
Valdo Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2024 after pleading guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and attempted murder. This verdict has elicited strong reactions from the victims’ families, who have expressed outrage over the perceived leniency of the sentence.
As the inquiry progresses, it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allowed a vulnerable individual to slip through the cracks of a flawed mental health care system, ultimately leading to a horrific outcome.
Why it Matters
This inquiry is not merely an investigation into one individual’s tragic actions; it raises critical questions about the efficacy and safety of mental health care protocols. The findings could have far-reaching implications for mental health policies, community safety measures, and the overall treatment of individuals with severe mental health issues. Ensuring that such failures do not recur is essential to protecting both individuals in crisis and the wider community. As we reflect on these events, it becomes clear that comprehensive and compassionate mental health care is vital for preventing future tragedies.
