Grandson Strangled Grandmother for Inheritance, Then Staged Fire

Joshua Powell, 27, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 26 years for the murder of his 96-year-old grandmother, Emma Finch. Powell strangled Ms. Finch in her sleep on May 17, 2024, at her home in Liss, Hampshire, before attempting to cover up the crime by setting a fire. He was driven by significant debt, reportedly owing approximately £8,000 to various companies and £2,500 in rent.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze around 4 a.m. by an automatic alarm triggered by a carbon monoxide monitor. Upon forcing entry, they discovered Ms. Finch deceased on her bedroom floor. Initial observations suggested a potential accident, but investigators noted the fire appeared unusually contained and staged. A key safe outside the back door was found open with the key missing; the combination was later discovered on Powell's phone.

A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death to be neck compression. Crucially, the absence of carboxyhemoglobin in Ms. Finch's blood indicated she had died before the fire started.

Investigators focused on Powell, Ms. Finch's grandson, who maintained a close relationship with her, visiting weekly to assist with groceries and play Scrabble. When first questioned by Hampshire Police hours after the fire, Powell claimed he had been home asleep and had not left the house. However, CCTV footage later revealed his car had left his residence around 2 a.m. on the day of the murder and was in the Liss area, directly contradicting his initial statement. Phone data also showed him active during that period, with his phone connected to his car.

Evidence emerged that Powell had spoken to friends weeks before the murder about his financial difficulties and his hope that his grandmother would die soon so he could inherit money. He also discussed the estimated value of her estate with a work colleague on the day of her death. Powell even confided in a friend about having a nightmare in which he killed his grandmother.

Forensic evidence linked Powell to Ms. Finch's injuries, the key safe, and a belt found near the scene containing traces of her blood. A knife missing from Ms. Finch's kitchen set was also recovered nearby.

Powell was arrested on suspicion of murder two days after the incident. He was charged on May 22 and subsequently admitted the offense at Portsmouth Crown Court in May 2025. He was sentenced in November last year.

In a letter to the court, Powell expressed remorse, referring to his grandmother as "the one constant in my life that I could count on" and acknowledging the "unforgivable, truly horrible crime I committed." He stated he did not expect forgiveness and would live with the guilt. The court heard that while Powell had been diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and had reduced cognitive function, he was aware of the difference between right and wrong.

During sentencing, Judge Michael Bowes KC stated that Powell repaid his grandmother's kindness by killing her for financial gain and attempting to destroy evidence through fire. Victim impact statements from Ms. Finch's family, including her daughter and Powell's mother, Catherine Powell, indicated they would struggle to forgive him for his actions. Ms. Finch had two children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.