The harrowing incident involving Bartlomiej Kuczynski, who fatally stabbed his two young children and sister-in-law before taking his own life, has raised concerns about the mental health assessment he underwent just a month earlier.
The tragedy has prompted scrutiny from various authorities, including the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as Norfolk Police referred themselves for failing to respond to Kuczynski’s distress call on the fateful morning.
Detailed Mental Health Assessment:
A significant revelation in this case is that Kuczynski had undergone a “detailed, comprehensive assessment” at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital a month before the tragic incident.
Medical staff engaged with him after a missing person report, initiated by the police, led to his presence at the hospital.
Despite the assessment, he was deemed not a risk to himself or others, leaving unaccompanied the same day.
Questions are emerging about whether warning signs were overlooked during this evaluation.
Police Referral to IOPC:
Norfolk Police’s self-referral to the IOPC has initiated an investigation into their handling of the 999 call made by Kuczynski, where he expressed his ‘confused’ mental state.
Additionally, the December 14 incident, when he was taken to the hospital, is under scrutiny.
The IOPC is tasked with determining if the force’s actions align with policies, training, and procedures.
Hospital’s Statement and Assessment Details:
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, in its statement, confirmed that Kuczynski was brought in by the police on December 14 for an urgent assessment.
Despite a comprehensive clinical evaluation, he left the unit before further review by the medical team.
The hospital emphasized that there was no reason to detain him at the time.
Post-Mortem Examinations and Police Statement:
Post-mortem examinations revealed that the victims, Kuczynski’s daughters (Jasmin, 12, and Natasha, 8), and his sister-in-law (Kanticha Sukpengpanao, 36), died from multiple stab wounds to the neck.
Kuczynski’s death was determined as suicide, with a single knife wound to his neck.
Norfolk Police are treating the deaths as murder but clarified that Kuczynski’s death is not considered suspicious, and they are not seeking other individuals in connection with the incident.
Concerns Over Police Response and Mental Health Scheme:
The delayed police response to Kuczynski’s distress call has ignited concerns, especially considering the ongoing implementation of the “Right Person, Right Care” scheme, which limits police attendance at mental health-related incidents.
Mental health advocates, including Mark Harrison of the Campaign to Save Mental Health in Norfolk and Suffolk, have expressed apprehensions, warning that lives may be at risk due to the scheme’s introduction.
Norfolk Police affirm that officers will still attend incidents with an immediate threat to life.
Police and Crime Commissioner’s Pledge:
Giles Orpen-Smellie, Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner, has pledged to hold the chief constable accountable for the actions of officers and staff involved in this tragic case.
The unfolding investigations and debates surrounding mental health response procedures will likely shape future policies and approaches.
Conclusion:
The devastating events surrounding Bartlomiej Kuczynski’s family raise critical questions about the intersection of mental health assessments, police response, and the potential impact of evolving schemes.
As investigations progress, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive examination of the circumstances that led to this tragedy and a collective effort to prevent such incidents in the future.