Police are investigating the possibility that a serial killer, potentially inspired by the television show 'Dexter,' may be responsible for the deaths of four individuals who were living at a homeless shelter in Cornwall. These deaths are now being reviewed by Devon and Cornwall Police.
James Desborough, 40, was recently convicted of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43. Their dismembered remains were discovered hidden in woodland near St Austell, Cornwall. Desborough met both victims at a homeless shelter.
Detective Superintendent Rachael Bentley, head of the major crime investigation team at Devon and Cornwall Police, stated that the review of four deaths at the Sandy Lodge Hotel is ongoing. She explained that a detective inspector conducted a review of these deaths, which included commissioning forensic work, reviewing CCTV footage, and gathering statements. While these deaths remain classified as unexplained, some inquiries are still outstanding.
Bentley indicated that Desborough is not considered a suspect in these four cases at this time. The force is in communication with His Majesty's Coroner regarding the matter. She emphasized that while the deaths were reviewed as part of the broader investigation, there is currently no information suggesting a link to Desborough.
In a separate trial earlier this year, Desborough was convicted of murdering his prison cellmate, Steven Kempster, 65, at HMP Exeter last September. The motive for that killing was reportedly that Kempster was snoring too loudly. Desborough was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 19 years for Kempster's murder at the time of his trial for the murders of Aquilino and Coleman.
Desborough, a former construction boss, had fallen into addiction and was living off-grid on land he owned in Paramood Woods, Sticker. He occasionally allowed people to camp on his land, including Daniel Coleman, one of his victims. Desborough is believed to have murdered Aquilino in April of the previous year and Coleman in June, subsequently accessing their bank accounts and creating a paper trail to suggest they were still alive. The police had attended each of the four unexplained deaths, and initial inquiries suggested natural causes, with jurisdiction passing to the Cornwall Coroner. Coronial investigations were paused when Desborough was arrested for murder. The major crime investigation team then commenced a review and conducted further investigation.
Bentley reiterated that there is no information indicating Desborough is linked to any other deaths and that the force is not actively seeking further victims. However, she stressed that the reviews are ongoing and will be re-examined now that the trial has concluded.