Nancy Pexton Found Guilty of Murdering Sister Jennifer Abbott Dauward, Stealing Rolex Watch
Nancy Pexton, 69, has been found guilty of murdering her sister, film director Jennifer Abbott Dauward, also known as Sarah Steinberg, at her flat in Mornington Place, Camden, on 10 June last year.
Abbott, 69, was discovered deceased on her living room floor on 13 June, with gaffer tape covering her mouth, after a neighbour gained entry to the property. A post-mortem examination revealed multiple stab and slash wounds, alongside a defensive injury to her right hand.
Pexton was apprehended five days following the discovery of her sister's body. Abbott's diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch, a gift from her son, was subsequently found in Pexton's bag during the investigation, as heard at her Old Bailey trial.
Evidence presented detailed Abbott's last sighting on a doorbell camera at approximately 07:30 BST on the day of the attack, returning from walking her corgi, Prince. Pexton spoke to Abbott by phone at 11:36, travelled by bus to the flat at 12:45, and departed an hour later. Following this, Pexton contacted her GP, reported an overdose, and was hospitalised until her arrest on 18 June.
Abbott's son, Brad Carlson, residing abroad, reported numerous missed calls in the days after his mother's death. Carlson testified to a "bubbling" resentment and instances of "anger and hostility" between his mother and Pexton. Notes on Pexton's phone reportedly contained references to killing her "evil" sister and complaints about other family members.
Pexton, who has no fixed address, denied the charges and declined to give evidence during her trial, participating via video-link from Bronzefield Prison. Judge Anuja Dhir KC has adjourned sentencing until Friday.
Devi Kharran, a prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, characterised Pexton's actions as a "brutal and callous attack" against her sister, whom she "should have been able to trust."
