The son of a school caretaker who was tragically killed by a paranoid schizophrenic, Valdo Calocane, has expressed his disbelief at the police actions. Ian Coates, aged 65, was fatally stabbed by Calocane shortly after two undergraduates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, were also killed in Nottingham on June 13, 2023.
Following the killings, Calocane stole Mr. Coates’ van and went on to injure three pedestrians by running them over. Calocane confessed to manslaughter and attempted murder and was subsequently detained indefinitely in a high-security hospital.
During the official public inquiry into the deaths, Ian’s sons, James and Lee, provided testimony. James recounted how he learned about his father’s demise through an Instagram message from a family friend. Lee expressed his struggle to accept that the deaths could have been prevented.
James criticized the authorities for missed opportunities leading up to his father’s tragic end. He highlighted unused drone units, unutilized helicopters, and inadequate search efforts that could have potentially prevented the deaths and injuries.
Recounting the sequence of events, James revealed his shock upon discovering the tragic news about his father through social media rather than official channels. He expressed frustration at the delayed communication from Nottinghamshire Police, noting their lack of proactive outreach.
Lee also criticized the former chief constable’s claims of support for the bereaved families, highlighting the family’s arduous journey to gather information about their father’s fate.
Rob Griffin, Nottinghamshire Police’s former assistant chief constable, admitted to shortcomings in the search for Calocane after the initial killings. The inquiry revealed a lack of effective coordination and resources during the search operation.
The inquiry also shed light on the delayed response in handling Ian Coates’ body at the crime scene and the subsequent scrutiny faced by the police and medical professionals involved.
Lee expressed hope for systemic changes following the inquiry, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He emphasized his father’s positive legacy in the community and urged for a lasting impact beyond the inquiry’s findings.
