Sylvia Lancaster, the mother of a 20-year-old woman who was killed for dressing as a goth in 2007, has died suddenly.
Dr Lancaster died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, according to a charity set up in memory of Sophie Lancaster.
“It is with great shock and mistrust that we announce that Sylvia Lancaster has died,” the organization said on social media.
“She died early this morning at Blackburn Hospital. She had been in poor health for the past few years, but her death was sudden and unexpected. Sylvia had such a powerful life force; we can’t imagine a world without her in it. “
Her death comes weeks after one of Sophie’s killers had to be released from prison, a decision Dr. Lancaster said she was “very disappointed” at the time.
Ryan Herbert was 16 in 2008 when he pleaded guilty to the murder of Sophie and also pleaded guilty to assault with grievous bodily harm by her friend Robert Maltby.
Herbert received a minimum term of 16 years and three months, which was later reduced to 15 and a half years on appeal.
Herbert’s tariff was reduced to 14 and a half years in 2020 when a Supreme Court judge ruled that he had made “extraordinary progress” in prison.
Last month, the Early Release Council said Herbert, now 30, could be released after making “significant changes” in his life.
Sophie and her partner were brutally beaten by Herbert and his friend Brendan Harris as they were returning home through Stubbylee Park in Buckup, Lancashire.
Sophie was repeatedly hit and kicked in the head and never regained consciousness after the attack. Mr. Maltby survived.
Image: Dr. Lancaster was named OBE in 2014 for his tireless campaign
Harris, who was found guilty of killing Sophie and pleading guilty to assaulting Mr Maltby, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 18 years.
Her killers were convicted in 2008, and a judge ruled her death a hate crime because they were targeted for dressing as Goths.
Her parents set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation to build respect and understanding of subcultures.
The organization said Tuesday: “Following Sophie’s brutal assassination, Sylvia has invested her energy in protecting people from alternative subcultures and creating educational programs to tackle prejudice and intolerance.
“She works tirelessly to combat inaccurate and lazy stereotypes that all too often lead to violent prejudice and fosters a culture of celebrating differences; something that leads to safer communities for all of us.
“Sylvia was great. She challenged authority and fought for what she believed in. Her legacy is that Sophie will never be forgotten, and her daughter’s name will always be her mission – to eliminate prejudice, hatred and intolerance everywhere. She will be sad to miss.
In 2013, the Greater Manchester Police became the first in the country to officially recognize hate crimes against goths, emo, punks and metalheads.
Dr. Lancaster was named OBE in 2014 for his tireless campaign.
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