Stroke Patient Dies After Forceful Sexual Assault at Blackpool Hospital

Valerie Kneale, a 75-year-old stroke patient, died in Blackpool Victoria Hospital in November 2018 following a forceful sexual assault that occurred during her hospital stay. Despite initially being admitted after a minor stroke and appearing communicative, Mrs. Kneale's condition rapidly deteriorated, and she was later found to have suffered extensive bleeding from the assault. Healthcare assistants noticed significant bleeding on her body while preparing her for the mortuary, but the incidents were not reported promptly, which severely hindered the subsequent murder investigation. The hospital's stroke unit lacked sufficient security measures, with entry doors often propped open and no active CCTV coverage, further complicating efforts to identify the perpetrator. A six-year police investigation, including public appeals and a reward, failed to result in any charges, and critical forensic evidence was lost due to delays and hospital procedures. Family members expressed heartbreak over the ordeal, noting that Valerie had never wanted to lose her independence or become a burden, underscoring the tragedy of the case.