Police are investigating whether James Desborough, 40, who was convicted of murdering three men within a six-month period, may have been responsible for additional killings. Desborough's crimes occurred between April and September of last year.
He was found guilty at Winchester Crown Court of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43. The burnt remains of both men were discovered hidden in woodland near Desborough's shack in St Austell, Cornwall. Desborough is already serving a life sentence for the murder of his prison cellmate, 65-year-old Steven Kempster, whom he strangled at HMP Exeter in September for snoring too loudly.
Investigation into Unexplained Death
Devon and Cornwall Police are also investigating the death of 50-year-old Lee Hockey, whose body was found in woodland between Truro and Probus, Cornwall, in July of last year. Hockey's death has been officially classified as unexplained, though murder remains a theory under investigation. The last confirmed sighting of Mr. Hockey was in the Trispen area on June 23rd of last year. His passport, bank card, and iPhone 13 are reportedly missing.
Desborough, a former construction boss who had fallen into addiction, was living off-grid on land he owned in Paramood Woods, Sticker. He occasionally allowed people to camp on his property, including Mr. Coleman.
Murders and Deception
Authorities believe Desborough killed Mr. Aquilino in April and Mr. Coleman in June. He is accused of accessing their bank accounts and creating a false paper trail to suggest they were still alive. Jurors heard that Desborough was involved in a love triangle with Mr. Coleman and his wife, Hannah Cresswell, whom he met at Sandy Lodge, a shelter for the homeless and drug-dependent in Newquay.
Prosecutors presented text messages from Desborough indicating escalating anger toward Mr. Coleman, including one that read he was "absolutely bloodthirsty." Weeks prior, Mr. Aquilino had also encountered Desborough at Sandy Lodge. The day before his disappearance, Mr. Aquilino called the police, reporting that Desborough was behaving erratically and attempting to involve him in criminal activity. Mr. Coleman also contacted police on the day of his disappearance, reporting concerns about Desborough.
Both victims were last seen leaving pubs in Desborough's company. When police searched Desborough's land in July of last year, they were initially responding to a missing person report for Mr. Coleman. They discovered Mr. Aquilino's remains by chance in a stream near the cabin. Investigators later found approximately 1,900 burned bone fragments believed to be from Mr. Aquilino and parts of Mr. Coleman's dismembered body in a shallow grave.
Police found handwritten notes in Desborough's shack, one of which read, "I know I'm a killer, ready to kill and execute any predators." Another note, titled "Hostiles," included the name "Dan" with three crosses, likely referring to Mr. Coleman. During police searches, Desborough commented to a forensic biologist that he "particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes" in the TV series "Dexter."
Prison Murder
While awaiting trial for the double murder, Desborough murdered his cellmate, Mr. Kempster, at HMP Exeter. Prison staff found Mr. Kempster deceased on the cell floor on September 12th. Desborough initially claimed Mr. Kempster had fallen from his bunk. He later testified that he killed Mr. Kempster in self-defense after an altercation. Desborough was convicted of Mr. Kempster's murder on March 27th.
Desborough, a father of two, had previously operated a construction company. Social media posts from 2024 show him discussing his struggles with PTSD after military discharge and addiction issues. Mr. Aquilino, originally from Italy, struggled with drug addiction and was living at Sandy Lodge before his death. Mr. Coleman, a veteran, had also faced difficulties, including living in a tent on Desborough's land prior to his death.
Detective Superintendent Rachael Bentley of Devon & Cornwall Police stated, "The murders of Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman were callous and cold-blooded. Both men were vulnerable and trusted James Desborough as their friend." Desborough is scheduled to be sentenced for the murders of Mr. Aquilino and Mr. Coleman on Wednesday.