Dr Lancaster died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, said the charity set up in memory of Sophie Lancaster. “It is with great surprise and disbelief that we announce that Sylvia Lancaster has died,” the organization said on social media. “She died at Blackburn Hospital early this morning. She has been suffering from ill health for the past two years, but her death was sudden and unexpected. Sylvia had such a powerful life force; we can not imagine a world without her.” Her death comes weeks after one of Sophie’s killers was released from prison, a decision Dr Lancaster said was “very disappointing” at the time. Ryan Herbert was 16 years old in 2008 when he confessed to Sophie’s murder and also pleaded guilty to assault that caused serious bodily harm to her boyfriend, Robert Maltby. Herbert was given a minimum term of 16 years and three months, which was later reduced to 15 and a half years on appeal. By 2020, Herbert had reduced his prison sentence to 14 and a half years when a Supreme Court justification concluded that he had made “extraordinary progress” in prison. Last month, the release board 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 on their way home through Stubbylee Park in Bancup, Lancashire. Sophie was repeatedly stabbed and kicked in the head and never regained consciousness after the attack. Mr Maltby survived. Image: Dr. Lancaster awarded OBE in 2014 for her tireless campaign Harris, who pleaded guilty to Sophie’s murder and pleaded guilty to assaulting Maltby, was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Her killers were convicted in 2008 and a judge recognized her death as a hate crime because they had been targeted for dressing up as goths. Her parents founded the Sophie Lancaster Foundation to build respect and understanding of subcultures. The group said Tuesday: “After Sophie’s brutal murder, Sylvia has worked hard to defend people from alternative subcultures and to create training programs to tackle prejudice and intolerance. “He worked tirelessly to combat the inaccurate and lazy stereotypes that often lead to violent prejudice and to promote a culture of celebrating diversity, which leads to safer communities for all of us. “Sylvia was terrible. She challenged the authorities and fought for what she believed in. Her legacy is that Sophie will never be forgotten and her daughter’s name will always represent her mission – to eliminate prejudice, hatred and intolerance. “Everywhere you look today, the tide of protectionist sentiment is flowing. In 2013, the Greater Manchester Police became the first country in the country to officially recognize hate crimes against goths, emos, punks and metallers. Dr. Lancaster was awarded the OBE in 2014 for her tireless campaign.
