The Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Helen Newlove, has died at the age of 63 following a short illness, it was announced on Wednesday, 12th November 2025.
A Life Dedicated to Victims' Rights
Baroness Newlove became a committed and passionate campaigner for victims of crime after experiencing a profound personal tragedy. In 2007, her husband, Garry Newlove, was brutally murdered by a gang of teenagers outside their family home.
Mr Newlove, a salesman for a plastics company, had confronted the intoxicated youths after they damaged his wife's car. In a horrific attack witnessed by his wife and their three daughters, he was kicked repeatedly, suffering massive head injuries. He died in hospital two days later.
A Powerful Voice for Change
Drawing directly from her own traumatic experience with the criminal justice system, Baroness Newlove dedicated her life to ensuring all victims were treated with compassion, decency, and respect.
Her advocacy was powerful and unwavering. In the aftermath of her husband's death, she publicly called for the reinstatement of the death penalty. She consistently used her platform to champion the rights and needs of those affected by crime, leading by example in her role as Victims' Commissioner.
The Office of the Victims' Commissioner confirmed her passing in a statement, expressing deep sadness and extending their thoughts to her family during this difficult time.
