Stepfather Accused of Murder Took Mother for Beach Walk While Body Lay Undiscovered

The stepfather of a university student allegedly murdered by him took her mother for a beach walk and shopping trip while her body lay undiscovered, Preston Crown Court has heard.

Nathan Owens, 34, is accused of killing 19-year-old Carla Georgescu, a second-year clinical psychology student at the University of Lancashire, in her student accommodation on February 4. Prosecutors allege Owens drove from his home in Hartlepool in the early hours of that day and strangled Ms. Georgescu after developing a "dangerous sexual obsession" with her.

His "escalating fascination" reportedly included having sex with a life-sized effigy of his stepdaughter, dressed in her nightdress, the jury has been told. The prosecution suggests Owens may have been motivated by "sexual jealousy" after learning Ms. Georgescu was about to meet a man with whom she had formed an online relationship.

Carla's mother, Janina Georgescu, testified that her husband, Owens, slept at their home that night and did not mention traveling to Preston. The following morning, she spoke to him and asked how he seemed. "Like always, his normal self," she told the court. Later that day, the couple went for their usual walk on the beach and to an Asda store, and she noted nothing different about his demeanor.

Mrs. Georgescu became concerned when her daughter did not respond to messages or calls. She contacted university security, who performed a welfare check with police. Officers later informed her that her daughter had been found hanged. During this time, Owens began crying and comforted her. He only admitted to being at Ms. Georgescu's flat when her mother contacted a hospital mortuary and learned more details about the death. Owens claimed he had gone to take his stepdaughter incontinence pants and help her tidy her room, an account the prosecution argues was an attempt to "cover his tracks" and "keep his wife onside."

Mrs. Georgescu testified that her husband's admission left her "very agitated, with mixed emotions and a bit of anger," but she told the court she had no reason to doubt him at the time, stating it was "not inconsistent with his behaviour."

Days before her death, Ms. Georgescu had visited her daughter, who appeared "very excited and happy" about an upcoming trip to meet her online boyfriend. The jury heard that Ms. Georgescu, described as intelligent and articulate but naive, had wanted to become a child psychiatrist. She had written a book and discussed moving to Romania with her boyfriend, Dan, whom she was planning to meet in person for the first time later that month.

In a statement read to the court, Dan described Ms. Georgescu as having a good sense of humor and being down-to-earth. He was aware of her past mental health struggles but stated she never indicated suicidal intentions. They exchanged "goodnight" messages online hours before Owens allegedly arrived at her flat. Ms. Georgescu's friends also reported she was a "very positive" person with no signs of suicidal ideation, and a university counselor was satisfied she had no such plans.

Prosecutors allege that in the weeks leading up to the murder, Owens amassed material on Ms. Georgescu, including "manipulating" and "sexualizing" images of her. He allegedly took photos of her without her knowledge, focusing on her lower body, as part of an "escalating pattern" in his "sexual fascination." He also reportedly filmed himself having sex with dolls and toys, including the life-sized effigy dressed in her nightdress, and manipulated an innocent image of her to appear sexual.

Owens denies charges of murder, intentional strangulation, and grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial is ongoing.