Gran bleeds to death after sex attack in NHS hospital bed sparking manhunt
A woman who had been struck down by a stroke bled to death in her hospital bed after being attacked by a predator when she was unable to fight back.
Valerie Kneale's family thought she had died from a stroke, but a routine post-mortem examination revealed the horrifying truth - that she had been violently sexually assaulted.
The attack was so bad she died from her injuries and the pathologist performing the post-mortem immediately raised the alarm with police.
Officers launched a murder inquiry and are concerned the attacker is still on the loose, and believe he has likely carried out attacks before and may well strike again.
Valerie, 75, had been at home with husband Bill, when she had the first stroke during her evening meal and was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on November 12, 2018.
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By the afternoon she was sat up on bed and was talking to her grown-up and children, who thought they were leaving her in safe hands.
That evening, Valerie had another stroke and never regained consciousness. It is not clear if she was attacked before or after the second stroke.
Lead investigator in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Jill Johnston said Valerie bled to death in the horrifying attack.
An inquest heard Valerie had suffered a horrific internal injury, with the pathologist saying they "felt" it "was caused by a forcible sexual assault after she was admitted to hospital".
Valerie bled to death in hospital (Liverpool Echo)Her case was highlighted on the BBC Crimewatch Live programme on Tuesday morning, and has led to a Crimestoppers announcing a £20,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to a conviction.
Speaking on Crimewatch, Valerie's niece Lisa Jaffier expressed the family's anger that someone could attack her aunt 'when she was unable to defend herself'.
Lisa described her aunty Val as "such a wonderful, lovely person, she was fun, she loved people, she enjoyed life and was the hub of the family and she had this really lovely skill of making you feel so special and so loved".
She said: "She was checked over and she was doing ok, she was sat up, communicating, obviously she was going to have challenges in her recovery, but we were all hopeful of a positive outcome.
"Her children wanted to stay with her that evening, but the hospital said she was in the best place, there is no need and she is going to be absolutely fine."
That, night, Valerie's first in hospital, she had another stroke and her family was told the outlook was not going to be good, so made the decision not to have any further treatment.
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Valerie died on November 16 surrounded by her family.
Valerie's niece Lisa spoke on Crimewatch (BBC)"Losing her left a huge gaping hole in the family, the week before she was fine then a week later she wasn't with us any more," Lisa added.
She added the family were not looking for answers and expected the post mortem to say she died of a stroke, but the truth was absolutely horrific.
"To think that someone did that to a lovely person at a time when she was helpless, at her most vulnerable, where she couldn't shout out, she couldn't defend herself," Lisa added.
Also speaking on the programme, Detective Chief Inspector Jill Johnston from Lancashire Police said she was shocked when she heard the evidence from the pathologist.
She said: "I couldn't believe someone could be assaulted in this way, such a serious assault, whilst in hospital and I really was truly shocked.
"One of the hardest things in this investigation was telling Mrs Kneale's family, that there mother and grandmother, who they thought had died of a stroke, had actual died as a result of a serious violent attack."
DCI Johnston said they have already interviewed thousands of people who were working in the hospital, visitors, patients to piece together a timeline, but four years later the attacker hasnt been identified.
DCI Jill Johnston (BBC)She added: "There's a real worry to the investigation and to the hositapl that this could be just one of a number of attacks.
"This may be at the hands of someone who is a predator.
"And who may have committed previous attacks of this nature, and may continue to do so."
DCI Johnston added: “We remain fully committed to finding Valerie’s killer. We know someone will have information key to our investigation. We know someone can help us find the person responsible.
“We believe the reward offer from the independent charity Crimestoppers will help provide that key piece of information to help unlock the case.
“For four years Valerie’s family have been left devastated by her death – they want and deserve justice.
“Her murder is truly tragic and heart-breaking. She was a patient in the hospital, receiving medical treatment when she was subjected to a horrific attack which ultimately led to her death.
“We know someone has had this on their conscience for more than four years now. Do the right thing. Come forward and speak to police – help us to solve this terrible crime.
“Our priority and the priority of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to ensure the safety of patients.
“We continue to support Valerie’s family and they are being kept fully updated by a specially trained officer.
“Again I ask anyone with information to come forward.
“If you provide information which leads to the conviction of an individual, you could receive a reward of £20,000.
“Please call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week or use a secure, anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
“Crimestoppers cannot trace your call or track your IP address and never ask for or record any personal information.”
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said its thoughts are with Mrs Kneale's family and it is co-operating fully with the police investigation.
A healthcare professional arrested in 2021 on suspicion of murder was later eliminated from the investigation.
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