Brother thought 'red rum' meant suicide, not murder

Valdo Calocane's brother Elias said he believed 'red rum' texts meant suicide. This is different from what many thought.
By Newsroom | Crime, UK |

Brother's Testimony Focuses on Misinterpreted Warnings

Elias Calocane, the brother of Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane, told the ongoing public inquiry that he believed his sibling's chilling messages, including references to "red rum" and wanting to "hurt… permanently," were expressions of suicidal intent rather than premonitions of violence against others.

Brother of Nottingham triple killer did not think sibling's messages about 'red rum' were about murder, inquiry hears - 1

The inquiry is examining the events leading up to the 2023 attacks, with Elias Calocane providing evidence for the first time about his interactions with his brother prior to the killings. He stated he felt "powerless" and "hopeless" regarding his brother's mental state.

Brother of Nottingham triple killer did not think sibling's messages about 'red rum' were about murder, inquiry hears - 2

Texts Interpreted as Self-Harm

During his testimony, Elias Calocane detailed exchanges with Valdo Calocane. One text message read: "thinking about red rum not 120 minutes ago." Elias interpreted "red rum," which is "murder" spelled backwards, alongside phrases like "wanted to hurt… permanently…," as indicative of his brother's intent to end his own life. He recalled thinking, "I thought he was talking about how he wanted to kill himself the night before." He expressed a conviction that his brother was contemplating suicide, stating, "I was convinced he was going to take his life."

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Brother of Nottingham triple killer did not think sibling's messages about 'red rum' were about murder, inquiry hears - 3

Elias also mentioned Valdo Calocane's claims of an encounter with the "holy spirit" and being "saved," followed by messages of "break[ing] their heads with my hands" and "losing [my] mind." When questioned, he maintained that his focus was on his brother's potential self-harm, not harm to others.

Family's Plea and Services' Response

Elias Calocane recounted receiving a call in the early hours of the attack day where Valdo Calocane stated, "it is done," and urged his brother to take their parents out of the country. He admitted he did not contact the police or file a missing person's report at that time, still fearing suicide.

The inquiry heard that the family did not learn of Valdo Calocane's diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia until four months after the June 2023 killings, despite his formal diagnosis in July 2020. Elias suggested a feeling of powerlessness stemming from interactions with services, stating, "unless something happens, nothing changes." The families of the bereaved reportedly shook their heads in disagreement during his testimony regarding Valdo's request to move their parents.

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Broader Inquiry Context

The Nottingham Inquiry is also looking into the treatment provided to Valdo Calocane by mental health services. Earlier testimonies involved medical professionals, including Dr. Karthik Thangavelu, a consultant who treated Calocane. Questions were raised about why a long-acting injection of antipsychotic medication was not prescribed upon Calocane's discharge in February 2022, with oral medication instead. Dr. Thangavelu denied giving Calocane too much benefit of the doubt, citing Calocane's desire to finish his university studies as a reason for believing he would comply with treatment. He admitted he did not probe sufficiently into reports from flatmates about screams from Calocane's room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Elias Calocane think his brother's 'red rum' messages meant?
Elias Calocane told the inquiry he believed his brother Valdo Calocane's messages, like 'red rum' and wanting to 'hurt... permanently,' meant he was thinking about suicide. He was convinced Valdo would take his own life.
Q: Did Elias Calocane contact police after Valdo's calls?
No, Elias did not contact the police or file a missing person's report. He said he still feared Valdo would kill himself after Valdo called him early on the attack day saying 'it is done' and telling him to take their parents out of the country.
Q: When did the family learn about Valdo Calocane's schizophrenia diagnosis?
The family only learned about Valdo Calocane's diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia four months after the June 2023 killings. He had been formally diagnosed in July 2020, but the family was not informed until much later.
Q: What is the Nottingham Inquiry looking into?
The Nottingham Inquiry is examining the events leading up to the 2023 attacks. It is also looking into the mental health treatment Valdo Calocane received from services before the killings.