Stepfather Accused of Murdering Student After Developing Sexual Obsession
Prosecutors allege Nathan Owens strangled his 19-year-old stepdaughter, Carla Georgescu, after becoming sexually fixated on her, the trial has heard.
Nathan Owens, 34, stands accused of murdering his stepdaughter, Carla Georgescu, 19, after allegedly driving more than 100 miles to her student accommodation. Prosecutors claim Owens' actions were motivated by 'sexual jealousy' after learning Ms. Georgescu planned to meet someone she had been involved with online. The trial at Preston Crown Court has heard that Owens developed an 'escalating fascination' with his stepdaughter, which included alleged sexual acts with a life-sized effigy of her.
CCTV footage played to the court showed Ms. Georgescu letting Owens into her student halls at Ribble Hall, University of Lancashire, around 4 a.m. on February 4. He was seen leaving the building approximately 90 minutes later, his face obscured by a blanket and later a face mask, while wearing her trainers and carrying two bags. He then allegedly drove home, stopping to dispose of items including bedding that were later found to contain traces of Ms. Georgescu's DNA.
Ms. Georgescu's mother reported her daughter missing the following day, February 5, after she failed to respond to messages and calls. University security discovered her body slumped against a wardrobe door, with a belt around her neck. Initially, Owens reportedly told Ms. Georgescu's mother that he had visited her daughter that night to help tidy her room and bring incontinence pants, a claim the prosecution states was an attempt to conceal his actions.
Following the discovery of Ms. Georgescu's body, Owens allegedly conducted internet searches regarding police investigations into suspicious deaths, including queries about whether police can be misinformed about causes of death and the difference between accidental and homicidal deaths. He also reportedly downloaded software to erase data and performed a factory reset on his mobile phone. Further searches reportedly included phrases like "I think the police think I’m guilty" and "when police turn on their bodycam you are guilty."
The prosecution alleges that Owens had become 'sexually fixated' with Ms. Georgescu, and her death was the result of a long-standing, one-sided obsession. It is also alleged that Owens took photos of Ms. Georgescu without her knowledge and manipulated an image of her to appear sexual.
Owens has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, intentional strangulation, and grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial is ongoing.