An inquest into the deaths of the victims of the Nottingham attack is underway

The investigation into the death of two university students and a school guard who were killed in an attack in Nottingham must be opened.

University of Nottingham Students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, 19, and school warden Ian Coates, 65, died in a knife attack in the town in the early hours of June 13.

31-year-old Waldo Calacane is accused of their murder, as well as the attempted murder of three more people when the van allegedly ran over pedestrians.

Senior Coroner Maireen Casey will open the inquest into the deaths of Ms O’Malley-Kumar, Mr Webber and Mr Coates Nottinghamshireat Nottingham Coroner’s Court on Friday at 2pm.

In the days following the attacks, thousands of people took part in vigils for the victims in the city, where their families paid tribute to them.

The family of Mr Webber, a history student from Taunton in Somerset, described their “utter devastation” at the “senseless killing of our son”, saying he was a “beautiful, brilliant, bright young man who had everything in life to look forward to forward. to”.

Ms O’Malley-Kumar’s family described her as a “truly wonderful and beautiful young lady” who will be “deeply missed”.

The medical student from Woodford in London played for Essex cricket as a teenager and also played for the England hockey team.

Two of Mr Coates’ sons said his death had “rocked everyone’s world”, adding: “No one deserves this but he certainly didn’t.”

Caloocan, of no fixed abode, is expected to enter a guilty plea in September, with a preliminary trial date set for January 12, 2024.

In his last appearance in Nottingham Crown Court He was remanded in custody on June 20 to appear again on September 25 for a plea and trial hearing.