Nottingham: Families pay heartfelt tributes as knife attack victims formally identified

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to two Nottingham students who were stabbed to death during a series of van and knife attacks.

Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, died after being stabbed on Ilkeston Road on Tuesday June 13 and have now been formally identified.

Ian Coates, 65, was later found dead from knife injuries on Magdala Road, police have confirmed.

He worked as a school caretaker and was the school site manager at Huntingdon Academy in St Ann’s.

Work colleagues have paid tribute to the “much-loved” man who “went the extra mile” for pupils.

‘Wonderful and beautiful’

Ms O’Malley-Kumar was a first-year medical student and a talented hockey player, who played for England and the University of Nottingham.

In a statement, her family said: “Grace was an adored daughter and sister; she was a truly wonderful and beautiful young lady.

“Grace was not just a sister to James but his best friend. He is completely heartbroken. As parents, words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation. She will be so dearly missed.

“We were so incredibly proud of Grace’s achievements and what a truly lovely person she was. She was resilient and wise beyond her years. Grace was so happy in life fulfilling her ambition of studying to become a doctor whilst playing topflight hockey at university.

“She leaves behind devastated extended family and friends.”

England Hockey said it was “deeply saddened” by Ms O’Malley-Kumar’s death.

“Grace was a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads and our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time,” it added.

‘Complete devastation’

Mr Webber, from Taunton in Somerset, was a talented young cricketer who was studying history.

In a statement, his family said: “Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.

“Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to.

“He was a talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team.

“At 19 he was just at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man.

“As parents, we are enormously proud of everything he achieved and all the plans he had made.

“His brother is bereft beyond belief, and at this time we ask for privacy as a family to be allowed time to process and grieve.

“We are so proud to release this photograph, chosen by us as a family, of an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend.

“Thank you for your understanding, and to everyone who has supported us in this awful journey so far.”

Bishops Hull Cricket Club in Somerset, where Mr Webber was a keen cricketer, said “his memory will live on”.

In a tribute, they added: “‘Webbs’ joined the club back in 2021 and has since then been a key part of our club and made such an impact in such a short space of time.”

NottinghamWorld reported earlier that Ian Coates was in his 50s, which was provided by Nottinghamshire Police, but they now say he was 65.

‘Deeply shocked’

Officers said a van was stolen from Mr Coates and driven into three pedestrians on Milton Street at around 5.30am on Tuesday, which has left one man in critical condition.

The vehicle was abandoned by the driver on Maples Street, who then approached officers with a knife. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

A book of condolence has been opened at St Peter’s Church in Nottingham city centre and the flag on Nottingham’s Council House has been lowered to half-mast.

A vigil is also planned for 5.30pm on June 15 in Old Market Square.

Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, said: “All of us at the University of Nottingham are deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific events of yesterday morning.

“I know our entire university community join me in offering our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and friends. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this incredibly difficult time.”