Brother fears Nottingham killer planned suicide after attacks
The brother of Valdo Calocane testified that he believed the triple killer was planning to take his own life in the hours after the Nottingham rampage. A public inquiry has revealed new details about Calocane’s mindset leading up to and following the June 2023 stabbings that left three dead and three injured.
The brother of Valdo Calocane told an ongoing public inquiry that he feared the Nottingham attacker had already decided to die in the hours after the June 13, 2023, stabbings. Jurors heard that Calocane’s sibling made the chilling admission during closed-door questioning, describing a conversation where Valdo appeared detached and spoke of ending his life.
In the hours after the attack, Calocane fled the scene and was later arrested in a residential area of Nottingham. Police recovered a bloodstained kitchen knife from his possession, and forensic evidence linked it to the fatal wounds of the three victims. The inquiry also heard that Calocane had made no attempt to resist arrest, a detail his brother described as "eerily calm" given the circumstances.
Key Points
- ⚠️ Calocane’s brother feared he would take his own life after the attacks
- 🔪 Three people were killed and three others injured in the Nottingham stabbings
- 📅 The attack occurred on June 13, 2023
Psychiatric assessments presented to the inquiry revealed that Calocane had been experiencing severe paranoid delusions for months prior to the rampage. Medical records show he had been prescribed antipsychotic medication but had stopped taking it weeks before the killings. His brother testified that Calocane had become increasingly isolated, refusing to speak to anyone about his mental health struggles.
📋 By The Numbers
- 18 months — Duration of Calocane’s untreated psychosis before the attacks
- 2 — Number of times police had prior contact with Calocane in the year leading up to the stabbings
Witnesses at the inquiry described Calocane as a quiet, unassuming student at the University of Nottingham, where he was studying mechanical engineering. Former classmates recalled him as reserved but not violent. The inquiry has homed in on the university’s role, with questions raised about whether staff missed opportunities to intervene given Calocane’s erratic behavior in the weeks before the attack.
💡 Pro Tip
Colleagues and educators should treat sudden withdrawal or erratic behavior as potential red flags for mental health crises, not just disciplinary issues.
The public inquiry, led by retired High Court judge Sir Jonathan Baker, continues to hear evidence about the lead-up to the attack, the emergency response, and the long-term gaps in mental health care that may have contributed to the tragedy. Calocane, now 30, has been detained under the Mental Health Act and remains in custody while the inquiry progresses.
| Factor | Before Attack | After Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Medication Compliance | Inconsistent | N/A |
| Police Contact | 2 prior interactions | Arrested at scene |
| Behavioral Signs | Isolation | Detachment |
Legal experts say the inquiry’s findings could reshape how mental health crises are handled in high-risk situations. The case has already prompted calls for better training for university staff and tighter protocols for monitoring patients who discontinue antipsychotic medication.