The younger brother of Barnaby Webber, a Nottingham University student tragically killed in a deadly attack, has shared a heartfelt memory to honor his “hero” and best friend.
Three years ago, the nation was shaken by a fatal stabbing in Nottingham that claimed the lives of three people, including Barnaby and fellow student Grace O’Malley-Kumar. The attacker, Valdo Calocane, a man diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was later hospitalized indefinitely after pleading guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.
Charlie Webber, now 18, was just 15 when he learned of the attack. Returning from a school trip in Devon, he was unexpectedly picked up from school by his parents, who broke the devastating news. “When I heard those words, it was like my world flipped upside down,” Charlie recalls. “I aged five years just like that.”
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Barnaby, 19 at the time of his death, was described by Charlie as both a “hero” and “best friend.” The brothers shared a close bond, with one treasured memory standing out—a late-night car journey home from university weeks before the tragedy. “That car ride was the first time we had a real adult conversation. We spoke about everything,” Charlie says. “It’s three hours I’ll cherish forever.”
Despite the grief, Charlie has stayed strong, recently completing his A-levels and securing a place to study history at Cardiff University, following in Barnaby’s footsteps. He hopes to pursue a law conversion in the future. This September, Charlie will turn 19—the age Barnaby was when he died—a thought he finds difficult to accept. “Barney is frozen at 19 in my mind,” he shares.
To honor his brother’s legacy, Charlie is actively involved with the Barnaby Webber Foundation, a charity supporting young people facing life’s challenges. Alongside the families of Grace and Ian Coates, the third victim, Charlie has attended the Nottingham inquiry hearings, advocating for justice.
“The inquiry has been tough to follow between exams,” Charlie admits. “But I needed to step up and fight for what we think is right.” After the sentencing in January 2024, which ruled out a murder conviction, Charlie expressed his anguish publicly: “This murderous monster tore my once beautiful family apart.”
Though the pain remains, Charlie finds moments of hope and strength. “Grief never leaves, but it teaches you how fragile life is,” he says. “It makes the good moments mean so much more.”