Lancashire Police charge man, 29, with manslaughter after death of 'loving' 42-year-old Blackpool man
Initial police enquiries suggested that Mr Kerr had been the victim of an assault in the weeks prior to attending hospital.
Detectives have charged a man with manslaughter after a 42-year-old assault victim turned up at A+E with serious injuries before passing away a few days later.
Staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital called in police after Rober Kerr, known as ‘Rob’ to his family and friends, turned up at the emergency department with serious injuries on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
The 42-year-old was in a critical condition and died three days later.
Initial police enquiries suggested that Mr Kerr had been the victim of an assault in the weeks prior to attending hospital.
A Home Office post-mortem examination ruled the death a homicide. Lancashire Police believe Mr Kerr was assaulted at his home address on Coronation Street in Blackpool late on Sunday, September 1, 2024 or in the early hours of Monday, September 2, 2024.
Detectives went on to arrest five men on suspicion of murder throughout their almost two-year investigation.
Today a Lancashire Police spokesman confirmed a man had now been charged with manslaughter.
He said: “Robert Kerr, 42, died in September 2024 after attending A&E with significant injuries.
“Initial enquiries suggested that Robert had been the victim of an assault in the weeks prior to attending hospital.
“Five men were arrested on suspicion of murder throughout our investigation.
“Following a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, one of those men – Andrew McElwee, 29, of Sutherland Road, Blackpool has been charged with manslaughter and will appear at Lancaster Magistrates Court on 21st August
“The other four men have all been released with no further action.
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Speaking back in March 2025, Mr Kerr’s mother paid tribute to her ”loving and caring youngest child”.
She said: “Rob was my youngest son out of five siblings. He has two older brothers and younger sisters.
“He was a loving and caring person, and he would do anything for anyone.
“He was such a protective person, especially over me and his three children – two of them are now adults but his youngest is still a child. He loved each of them a lot. If anyone knows anything, could you please come forward and contact the Police.
“My son did not deserve any of this. We are left heartbroken.”