Valerie Kneale: Woman, 75, dies after being sexually assaulted in hospital, cops say abuser may strike again
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND: Police have issued a warning after an elderly woman lost her life in the hospital because of an alleged sexual assault. As per reports, Valerie Kneale was receiving treatment at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after a stroke and leg fracture in November 2018 when she was killed. Now, cops have said that the unidentified killer may target other people.
The 75-year-old was doing well just before her death. But suddenly, her relatives were informed that she had another fatal stroke reported Daily Mail. Later, a post-mortem report revealed that she bled to death because of a vaginal tear. Detective Chief Inspector Jill Johnston, of Lancashire Police, said, “This may be at the hands of somebody who is a predator and who may have committed previous attacks of this nature and may continue to do so.”
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‘She was sat up, she was communicating’
It has been said that Kneale was taken to the hospital on November 12 of that year. Within a few days of admission, she started showing progress. Her niece, Lisa Jaffier, reportedly stated, “She was sat up, she was communicating. Obviously, she was going to have challenges in her recovery but we were all very hopeful of a positive outcome. Her children wanted to stay with her that evening but the hospital said really she was in the best place that she could be in, there's really no need, she's going to be absolutely fine.”
However, on November 16, 2018, the woman died and after the autopsy result was out, an inquest was told that Kneale’s injury “was caused by a forcible sexual assault after she was admitted to hospital”. Jaffier mentioned, “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... We're left with a huge wound that can't even begin to heal until we find out who's responsible for doing that so that we can get justice.”
Johnston added, “The fact this has happened in a hospital setting is of grave concern to everyone and we've worked tirelessly along with the hospital to get justice for Mrs Kneale and her family, but also to stop this ever happening again.”
‘We believe there are people who know what happened’
Besides, an independent charity, Crimestoppers, has declared a reward of up to $23,755 (£20,000) for information that could help capture the killer of Kneale, Lancashire Telegraph reported. Gary Murray, regional manager for the North West at independent charity Crimestoppers, said, “Whilst four years may have passed, our thoughts are very much with Valerie’s family and friends who remain desperate for answers as to exactly what happened.”
“Valerie was a patient in hospital undergoing important medical treatment when she endured a horrific attack that ultimately led to her death. We believe there are people who know what happened or have suspicions. Crimestoppers is here to help make all our communities safe by giving people a way to speak up about crime, completely anonymously. You can talk to us with no comeback. That means we never ask for or store any of your personal details,” he continued.
“If you know something, even if you think it’s insignificant, what you know could make a positive difference. Please call our UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week or use our website’s simple and secure anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. We cannot trace your call or track your IP address and we never ask for or record any personal information. No one will ever know you contacted us,” Murray added.