On March 4, 2016, Natalie Queiroz’s life was shattered in one of the UK’s most harrowing violent crimes. At eight months pregnant, Natalie was savagely attacked by her then-partner, Babur Karamat Raja, on Trinity Hill in Sutton Coldfield. The shocking assault left her with 24 stab wounds and her unborn daughter fighting for survival just millimeters away.
That afternoon, around 3:15 pm, Raja, disguised and intent on harm, launched a frenzied attack aimed at ending their lives. Thanks to the brave intervention of bystanders John Mitchell, Anthony Smith, and Callum Gibson, who wrestled the knife away, Natalie and her baby were saved. Airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in critical condition, Natalie was placed in a coma. Hours later, her daughter was delivered via emergency Caesarean section. Both survived, though the road ahead was long and arduous.
Babur Raja pleaded guilty to attempted murder and attempted child destruction, receiving an 18-year prison sentence. Natalie’s world was irrevocably altered. From a partnership manager working with the NHS, she became the focus of intense media scrutiny, her private tragedy publicly discussed. Despite this, she channeled her pain into purpose—raising funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance, fighting knife crime, and advocating for victims alongside West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster.
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As the 10-year anniversary approaches, Natalie opened up about the profound impact of that tragic day and the decade that followed. Reflecting, she said, “Ten years ago today was the last day of my life being what you think of as normal. I thought everything was fine. It was the final 24 hours I was ever going to feel like that.”
She recounted how a joyful photo from a 2015 holiday portrayed a life far removed from later horrors—her partner leading a double life unknown to her and his family. Their shared past stretched back to school days, but betrayal and violence devastated their future. The trauma extended beyond Natalie; her children still grapple with the fear and aftermath, especially her youngest, born amid the crisis.
Despite immense challenges—including losing part of a finger due to the attack’s injuries—Natalie remains resilient. She has undergone therapy confronting deep-seated trauma and shared her story extensively in prisons and schools to warn others about the devastating consequences of knife crime.
Natalie also highlighted a vital but often overlooked perspective: the victims’ voices. “I think the system has gone too offender-centric and maybe there needs to be a shift to victims,” she reflects. Using her unique insight from both victim and rehabilitative work, she passionately advocates for a balanced approach that centers survivors.
Her family remains her foundation. Married for four years to Simon Lyttle, she embraces the support of her three daughters, who continue to inspire her with their courage and aspirations, especially amid the ongoing journey of healing and hope.
Looking ahead, Natalie hopes her 50s will bring peace and positivity after a turbulent decade marked by loss, survival, and activism. “I have learned to really believe in myself,” she says. “This is life. I use that experience to change things that need to be changed.”