Nottingham Attacks: families to walk final route loved ones took before they were killed
It's been two years since the city was shocked by the killings of Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber, and Grace O'Malley-Kumar.
Last updated 13th Jun 2025
The families of the Nottingham attack victims will hold a memorial walk to remember their loved ones two years after their deaths.
The relatives of 19-year-old students Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber and 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates will meet at St Paul's Church in Lenton Road at 11.30am on Friday before walking to the two locations of the attacks.
They say this is "to show respect for the horror that their loved ones endured at the hands of this monster", to "wish them peace for wherever they may now be" and "mark the importance of their fight for justice".
On 13 June 2023, Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed the two university students as they were walking home from a night out - before he went on to stab Ian, steal his van, and knock down three pedestrians.
Family and friends will also gather at a closed opening of a garden memorial at the school that Mr Coates had worked at.
Other fundraising events and tributes are happening elsewhere.
James Coates, the son of Ian says that it's been a tough 24 months, and that it's been hard to take in what's actually happened.
Meanwhile it's understood that Emma Webber, Barnaby's mother will be attending the memorial walk this morning too.
Friend of Grace from Nottingham university, Katie Curtis, tells Greatest Hits Radio "everyday the pain never goes away".
"Now it's got to two years it shows how time is moving on, and that feels incredibly unfair."
Katie Curtis played with Grace for Nottingham University Ladies Hockey team.
She's organising a hockey tournament, the Grace O Malley Kumar Cup, for the second year running to raise money for Grace's foundation.
The Grace O'Malley-Kumar Foundation was set up by Grace's family to support causes that embody her values and builds a legacy to keep her memory alive.
The foundation focuses on education, community, sports, and tackling knife crime, in line with Grace's aspirations to become a doctor and save lives.
Katie says: "whenever Grace's community has come together previous to this hockey cup, it's always been such a heavy grief and pain.
"But this event encapsulates her spirit and who she was: positive, smiling.
"Last year Grace's parents said it was the first day since they lost her that they felt genuine happiness."
The Grace O'Malley-Kumar Cup will take place at 19th July 2025 at Nottingham Hockey Centre, and everyone is welcome.
The England hockey men and women's squads will be playing in Green, the colour of Nottingham hockey team, on Sunday 15th June 2025 in honour of Grace.
Spectators are also encouraged to wear something "green for Grace".
Before Grace joined the University of Nottingham, she was a member of the Old Loughtonians hockey club in Loughton.
To mark the 2 year anniversary of her death, eight members of the girls club are climbing the three highest peaks in the UK in 24 hours.
Organiser, Emily Holmes, tells Greatest Hits Radio: "it's going to be tough but we've just got to remember why we're doing it.
"Grace died as she lived. She was so brave and really loyal. That's why we're taking on the challenge. We want to be brave just as she was."
The girls have raised over £7000 so far for Grace's Foundation.
You can find more information or donate here.
June 13th 2024 - one year on
Last year a vigil was held in the city to remember the 19 year olds Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Barnaby Webber, as well as caretaker Ian Coates who was 65 years old.
A two minute silence was held at Nottingham University's Park Campus, followed by speeches from Vice Chancellor Professor Shearer West and the university Chaplain, Grant Walton.
Grace and Barney were students at there, having just completed their first year of studying when they were killed.
In the days and weeks that followed that attacks, vigils were held both in Old Market Square and at the University in memory of the victims, with thousands of people attending.
Flowers were also placed by fellow students and relatives in Ilkeston Road, where Barnaby and Grace were attacked.
Grace's father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, told the memorial service she had chosen "friendship over fear" and "fought valiantly" to protect her friend.
Pupils at Nottingham's Huntingdon Academy, where Nottingham Forest fan Mr Coates worked, were also invited to wear red to remember him.
In a joint statement issued before the service, relatives of all three victims said they would take time to remember "the souls of the three vibrant, caring, hard-working and much loved family members who are no longer here".
What happened in Nottingham on June 13th:
4AM: Police called in early hours
Police called to Ilkeston Road after two people found dead.
Soon after 4AM: Officers called to another incident on Milton Street, where a van had attempted to run over three people
Soon after 4AM: A man was also found dead on Magdala Road.
9:30AM: Man arrested
Nottinghamshire Police release a statement saying a 31-year-old man has been arrested.
Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: "This is an horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people.
"We believe these three incidents are all linked and we have a man in custody."
10AM: Tributes start pouring in
Tributes start pouring in from politicians, including from the Prime Minister at the time, Rishi Sunak, who said: "I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham this morning."
I am being kept updated on developments. The police must be given the time to undertake their work.
My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives."
2:30PM: Police issue update
Nottinghamshire Police issue a second statement, saying no other people were being investigated in connection with the attacks. They add police were keeping an 'open mind' over the motive of the attacks.
4:15PM: Uni of Notts confirm student deaths
The University of Nottingham issue a statement confirming the two people killed on Ilkeston Road were students at the University. Tributes begin pouring in from other universities across the UK.
5PM: Vigil held at St Peter's Church
A vigil is held at St Peter's Church. Around 400 students attend, some with flowers, to pay their respects.
5:30PM: Chief Constable Kate Meynell speaks to the press
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell confirms the three people killed were all stabbed to death, and two of the victims were 19-years-old.
She confirms the van which drove at members of the public was stolen from the third victim - a man in his 60s that was found dead on Magdala Road.
The van was then stopped on Maple Street where a man was tasered and detained by officers on suspicion of murder.
8PM: Students named
19-year-old Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar are named as the two students from the Uni of Nottingham who were killed on Ilkeston Road.
(14th June) 11:30AM: Third victim named
The third victim, who was killed on Magdala Road, is named as Ian Coates - a school caretaker in his 60s.
What happened to Valdo Calocane?
Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2024, after admitting the manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility of Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates, and the attempted murder of three others.
Calocane's sentencing hearing was told that multiple medical experts concluded he had paranoid schizophrenia, with the court hearing he had several interactions with mental health services in the months before the attacks.
He was sentenced by Mr Justice Turner to an indefinite hospital order and made subject to further restrictions if he is ever discharged, which must be approved by the Justice Secretary.
The sentenced was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General, but senior judges later ruled the punishment wasn't "unduly lenient".