Sylvia Lancaster OBE died of rare post surgery complication

Sylvia Lancaster OBE became a ‘legacy’ to the goth community after starting a foundation following the tragic murder of her daughter Sophie in Bacup in 2007.

Sylvia died unexpectedly at Royal Blackburn Hospital on April 12 following a short illness.

At an inquest into Sylvia’s death held at Blackburn Town Hall, Coroner Richard Taylor determined that her death was a result of a known but rare complication following surgery in December 2021.

He recorded: “Sylvia Helen Lancaster died on April 12 2022 at Royal Blackburn Hospital from a known but rare complication of essential vascular surgery undertaken on December 18 2021.”

Follwing her death, tributes flooded in, including from friend and actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who portrayed Sylvia in a drama documentary film Black Roses.

Julie said: "It was a privilege to know and work alongside Sylvia over many years. She was a force for good, for inclusion, for celebration of difference.

Sylvia Lancaster with her OBE (Image: PA)

“Sophie’s incredible legacy lives on in the work of the foundation. Love and thoughts to Adam and the family. Rest in power incredible woman.”

While journalist and author Catherine Smyth who worked on a book "Weirdo Mosher Freak - the murder of Sophie Lancaster" alongside Sylvia also paid tribute.

She said: "I am so desperately sad to hear of the passing of Sylvia Lancaster. Her tireless work for the foundation she set up in memory of Sophie was immeasurable.

"She was an incredible lady, stoic, straight talking and as she joins her daughter, she leaves behind a legacy that I hope will lead to a better and more tolerant society.

"I am just so very sad that she has gone. I wish love to Adam and the family."

Sophie and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were walking through Stubbylee Park in Bacup on August 11, 2007, when they were set upon by a group of teenage boys who started to attack Robert, kicking him in the head and knocking him unconscious.

Sophie Lancaster was murdered by a group of teenage boys in 2007 in Bacup (Image: Sophie Lancaster Foundation)

Trying to protect her boyfriend, Sophie cradled Robert’s head in her lap, at which point, the group moved their vicious attack onto her.

The attack left both Robert and Sophie in hospital, however, it was determined that Sophie would not recover from her injuries and she sadly died 13 days later on August 24.

The heartbroken mother set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation which has made a difference in thousands of people's lives with her campaign work and the educational sessions she delivered in schools.

Her daughter's name, Sophie is used as an acronym, standing for ‘stamp out prejudice, hatred and intolerance everywhere'.

Sylvia was also pivotal in changing the definition of alternative subcultures – a definition that proved vital in incorporating attacks like that to her daughter to be classified as a hate crime.

Sylvia was awarded an OBE by the now King Charles on December 11, 2014, at Buckingham Palace as recognition of her work in ‘community cohesion - especially in the reduction of hate crime’.