A woman who passed away in a hospital under suspicious circumstances, possibly due to a violent sexual assault, had a poignant message for her husband just days prior to her death. Valerie Kneale suffered a stroke while at home with her husband, Bill, during dinner and was quickly taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on November 12, 2018. Initially, her family believed it was a minor stroke and were hopeful for her recovery.
Before her hospitalization, Valerie shared a lighthearted moment with Bill, jokingly dismissing his concern about doing something foolish. She quipped, “Like die? Don’t be so silly.” On the same day, Bill, along with their son Mike and daughter Sharon, rushed Valerie to the emergency room.
Upon admission, Valerie’s ankle was immobilized, and scans revealed a brain bleed. Despite appearing coherent and accepting her condition earlier, Valerie suffered another stroke that evening and never regained consciousness. The family faced the difficult decision of allowing nature to take its course, as surgery was deemed unlikely to improve her quality of life.
During her hospitalization, Valerie exhibited distressing behaviors, such as making painful sounds and gestures. Family members noticed her unusual statements, which raised concerns about her well-being. Despite efforts to understand her condition, the family was left perplexed by certain unexplained occurrences, like the placement of a towel between her legs.
A post-mortem examination disclosed significant internal injuries suggestive of a violent sexual assault as the cause of death, rather than the initial diagnosis of a brain hemorrhage. Subsequent investigations into the handling of Mrs. Kneale’s body post-mortem revealed negligence and prompted further scrutiny.
Despite extensive inquiries and efforts to identify the perpetrator, no conclusive evidence has surfaced to prosecute any individual. The coroner overseeing the case acknowledged the challenges in bringing criminal charges without substantial proof. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to unravel the tragic circumstances surrounding Valerie Kneale’s untimely demise.
The inquest into this disturbing incident is ongoing, with the hope of shedding light on the events leading to the tragic loss of Mrs. Kneale.