A man has been found guilty of brutally killing his stepdaughter and her husband in a horrific attack involving a hammer and a knife before calmly picking up their children from school. Derek Martin, who admitted to the killings, claimed he “just flipped” during a dispute over money.
The tragic incident unfolded when Martin bludgeoned Chloe Bashford with a hammer multiple times and then proceeded to fatally stab her with a kitchen knife. He then waited for Chloe’s husband, Josh, to return home, where he attacked and killed him by stabbing and strangling him.
After the gruesome act, Martin collected the couple’s four children from school, took them to McDonald’s for a meal, and dropped them off at their grandmother’s house before turning himself in to the police. He confessed to the murders upon walking into Brighton police station.
The jury at Brighton Law Courts deliberated for five and a half hours before finding Martin guilty of both murders. Despite claiming he was suffering from a serious mental disorder at the time, Martin was convicted and will face a life sentence. The court heard that Martin had previously been married to Chloe’s mother but had rekindled a bond with the family after serving time in prison.
The tragic event stemmed from an argument over money owed to Martin by Chloe, leading to a violent outburst resulting in the deaths of the young couple. Martin’s history of depression and sleep deprivation were also highlighted during the trial, although he denied the charge of murder based on his mental state at the time.
The families of the victims were in shock as the guilty verdict was delivered, with Martin showing no emotion. He is set to be sentenced in November for the heinous crimes that have left a community in mourning.
