Nancy Pexton, aged 70, has been convicted at the Old Bailey for the murder of her sister, a film director, and stealing her valuable diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch.
Pexton fatally attacked Jennifer Abbott, 69, by cutting her throat and silencing her with tape before leaving her lifeless in her Camden apartment dressed only in undergarments. Pexton, who had been reliant on welfare support and recently experienced homelessness, harbored jealousy towards her sister, who was a documentary filmmaker, and referred to her as malevolent.
Upon concerns arising about Abbott’s well-being, Pexton deceitfully dispatched her own daughter to the scene, knowing she would discover her deceased aunt. Remarkably, Abbott’s Corgi dog, Prince, was found unharmed locked inside the bathroom, having survived unattended for three days.
Acknowledging the jury’s efforts, Judge Anuja Dhir, KC, detained Pexton in custody pending her sentencing scheduled for May 1.
In an unexpected turn of events, Pexton, dressed in casual attire, including a cowboy hat, was enjoying wine at a KFC when she contacted her sister to arrange a visit. Following a brief visit to Abbott’s residence on June 10, Pexton brutally attacked her sister in a sudden burst of violence.
Forensic examinations indicated the fatal assault occurred in the kitchen before the body was relocated to the living area, where the perpetrator covered the face and body with materials. Subsequently, Pexton falsely reported to a medical professional that she had ingested an overdose, leading to her hospitalization.
In a series of erratic actions, Pexton accused her family of mistreatment during a distress call to emergency services. She later instructed her daughter to dispose of or clean her blood-stained clothing. Law enforcement later recovered the incriminating garments tainted with Abbott’s blood.
Despite initially asserting that her sister never removed her Rolex watch, Pexton was apprehended with the timepiece in her possession. She then altered her account, suggesting that the watch was a gift from her deceased sibling.
On a separate occasion, Pexton’s daughter attempted to contact Abbott, resulting in a neighbor forcibly entering the residence after hearing persistent knocking.
Pexton, the younger of the two sisters by nine months, denied the murder charge but was found guilty by an Old Bailey jury after a brief deliberation. During the verdict announcement via video link from HMP Bronzefield, Pexton displayed visible emotional distress.
Prosecutor William Boyce, KC, highlighted the gruesome scene of the crime, emphasizing the violent nature of the attack and Pexton’s subsequent deceit. He underlined the complex emotional dynamics within the family, characterizing the crime as a domestic tragedy fueled by intense emotions.
Choosing to remain silent throughout the trial, Pexton’s criminal record was scrutinized, revealing prior convictions for various offenses, including driving-related incidents and non-compliance with legal obligations.
Pexton, a resident of Gloucester Place, Marylebone, adamantly denied the murder charges but was ultimately convicted.
