Inquest into murder at Blackpool hospital launched

Valerie Kneale died in 2018 while on the stroke unit

Valerie Kneale
Author: Natalia AntoniwPublished 1st Sep 2025

A coroner has launched an investigation into the murder of 75-year-old Valerie Kneale, who died while on the stroke unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in 2018.

An inquest this morning (1st September) heard evidence from the family who recalled what happened the week she died.

They said Valerie's condition deteriorated quickly after being admitted into the stroke unit, that she would pull faces and whimper as if she was in pain.

A post-mortem found that she died from a haemorrhage caused by a non-medical related injury.

Police have previously said that she had suffered a horrific attack before her death.

The inquest is still continuing.

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