A mentally ill woman, released due to systemic failures, fatally stabbed Roger Leadbeater in 2023.

The family of 74-year-old Roger Leadbeater, fatally stabbed in August 2023 by Emma Borowy, 32, who had escaped a mental health unit, said multiple agencies failed him. A coroner’s inquest found Borowy, who had paranoid schizophrenia and a history of violence, was granted leave despite repeated absconding and flawed risk assessments. Proper procedures likely would have prevented her release. Both Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire police were criticized for poor handovers of vulnerable missing persons. Borowy, who died in prison, claimed she acted under demonic influence. The coroner will issue prevention of future death reports to national bodies, pending review of NHS trust reforms. Advocacy groups stress systemic failures contributed to the tragedy, calling for urgent change.