Nottingham inquiry hears brother says killer's texts were goodbye
Nottingham inquiry hears brother says killer's texts were goodbye
Elias Calocane told the Nottingham public inquiry that a January message from his brother felt like a goodbye, revealing concerns over mental health ahead of the June 2023 killings.
Elias Calocane told the Nottingham public inquiry that he believed a January text from his brother Valdo—containing the words I love you—was a goodbye rather than a signal to harm others. The testimony forms part of an examination into the events leading up to the killings in June 2023. Elias described how the message, read in the context of his brother’s struggles, felt like a farewell rather than a plan of action.
He said he felt powerless as his brother battled serious mental ill health and that he wondered if more could have been done to help him. The inquiry is exploring whether warning signs were missed and what support was available to Valdo, both personally and within the care system.
Public reports indicate Elias feared Valdo might take his own life, a concern he carried as the family navigated the crisis. The Nottingham Inquiry is gathering testimonies from relatives and professionals to understand the timeline and identify lessons to prevent future tragedies.
The testimony highlights the human impact of mental health struggles and the ongoing demand for earlier interventions and better care pathways. Families affected by the case hope the inquiry leads to concrete improvements in how such situations are handled in the future.
