Hor-rifying New Twist: Convicted K-i-ller’s Case Reopened as Detectives Investigate Four More Unexplained De-a-ths
A DEXTER fanatic has been jailed for life after chopping up his roommates and scattering their body parts in the woods.
“Bloodthirsty” James Desborough killed Daniel Coleman, 43, and Claudio Aquilino, 57, after meeting them at a homeless residence.
James Desborough was a massive fan of the TV show DexterCredit: Facebook
A shallow grave found near Desborough’s cabin in Paramoor Woods, Sticker, CornwallCredit: Solent
Desborough scattered their remains in woodland near his off-grid cabinCredit: Solent
Handwritten notes found in the killer’s cabinCredit: PA
When Desborough was awaiting trial for their murders, he also killed his cellmate Steven Kempster at Exeter Prison.
Today, cops also said they are investigating the deaths of four people at the same homeless residence where Desborough was living.
Two men and two women died at Sandy Lodge Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, during the time Desborough was living there.
The shelter acts as accommodation for people suffering with homelessness or addictions.
Cops are probing the deaths – a woman and man in their 50s, a woman in her 40s and a man in his 60s – between December 2024 and April 2025.
They were previously treated as not being suspicious.
Desborough stole his roommates’ money and used Daniel’s cash to treat himself to a ‘large beef roast’ after chopping him upCredit: POLICE HANDOUT/UNPIXS
An axe found outside Desborough’s cabin, near where the graves were foundCredit: Solent
The monster was previously handed a life sentence after strangling his cellmate Kempster to death because he was annoyed by his snoring.
Desborough has been handed another life sentence at Winchester Crown Court today for murdering his two roommates.
The 40-year-old dismembered their bodies in Paramoor Woods, near Sticker in Cornwall.
He tried to burn and bury their remains near his off-grid cabin.
The serial killer also stole their money and used Daniel’s cash to treat himself to a “large beef roast” after chopping him up.
The monster was found guilty of murdering Claudio between April 17 and July 7 last year and killing Daniel between June 2 and July 7 last year.
Winchester Crown Court heard around the time of the killings, Desborough messaged a pal describing himself as “absolutely bloodthirsty real hostile fuming spitting feathers”.
The text was dated on May 30, 2025 – the date Claudio became a missing person.
Cops discovered 1,900 burnt bone fragments – belonging to Claudio – at a stream nearbyCredit: POLICE HANDOUT/UNPIXS
A petrol contained found nearby in the woodlandCredit: POLICE HANDOUT/UNPIXS
While in prison awaiting trial, the monster strangled his cellmate to death over his snoringCredit: POLICE HANDOUT/UNPIXS
Cops scoured the woods after finding several body partsCredit: POLICE HANDOUT/UNPIXS
Chillingly, a week earlier, Desborough had told Daniel he was a “f***ing r****d” and warned him: “Don’t take me for a mug, boy.”
They had fallen out over Daniel’s relationship with Hannah Cresswell, with whom Desborough had had an affair.
Ahmed Hossain KC, prosecuting, said parts of Daniel’s dismembered body, including his torso, legs and feet, were later found in a shallow grave.
Daniel’s DNA was discovered on an axe that was hanging from a tree nearby, jurors heard.
Claudio’s shallow grave was found 18 metres away.
Cops discovered 1,900 burnt bone fragments – belonging to Claudio – at a stream nearby.
A “piece of flesh” – also from the victim – was in the water, and a search party also found “two pieces of unburnt scapula”.
Police also seized a large number of handwritten notes in the woodland cabin, the court heard.
A drum used to burn dismembered parts of the victims’ bodiesCredit: POLICE HANDOUT/UNPIXS
Cops searching the woods near the off-grid cabin in CornwallCredit: POLICE HANDOUT/UNPIXS
One said: “I know I’m a killer, ready to kill and execute any predators.”
Another included “detailed travel plans and intent to leave the UK”.
This note mentioned a “shuffle bag liner”, “bodies buried”, “new disguise”, “new burner phone” and “safe house”.
Mr Hossain said Desborough was a fan of the hit TV show Dexter – in which the lead character is a serial killer who dismembers people.
The killer told a forensic biologist involved in the woodland searches that he “particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes” in the show.
Desborough confessed he “lost all grip on reality” and tried to hide their bodies – insisting he only found them dead on his land and that he didn’t kill them.
Helen Phillips, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said after the hearing: “We worked closely with police from the very start of their investigation in Paramoor Woods, and then later with a second police team on the investigation into the murder at HMP Exeter, which ran in parallel.
“The families of Claudio and Daniel have been so dignified throughout the investigation and trial process, even when faced in court with awful descriptions of what happened to their loved ones, and Desborough’s attempts to blame Daniel for somehow being involved in the disposal of Claudio’s body.
“As Desborough faces justice for his actions, my thoughts remain with the families and friends of his three victims.”
