Cops probe 4 ‘unexplained’ deaths at homeless shelter where serial killer Dexter fan lived before murdering 2 roommates

THE unexplained deaths of four people who were living at a homeless shelter the same time as a Dexter fanatic killer are being reviewed. The probe was launched after the sentencing of James Desborough, 40, for the murder of his two roommates at the same homeless residence. Claudio Aquilino, one of the victims of James Desborough Credit: PA Daniel Coleman, a victim of Dexter fanatic Desborough Credit: PA He was found guilty of murdering the two men after he chopped up their bodies and scattered the remains by his woodland cabin. Desborough, lived at Sandy Lodge Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, which was accommodation for people suffering with homelessness or addictions, between December 2024 and April 2025, during which time two men and two women died unexpectedly. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Detective Superintendent Rachael Bentley, head of the major crime investigation team at Devon and Cornwall Police, told journalists that the investigation into the four deaths at the hotel was “ongoing”. She added that after “final reviews” buy “I may have more information in the future, but the moment it’s not believed to be now.” Ms Bentley said the police had attended each of the deaths and inquiries suggested natural causes and jurisdiction passed to the Cornwall Coroner. She continued: “As part of the investigation, a detective inspector, separate to the investigation but within major crime, did a review of those deaths, and that included commissioning some more forensic work, some CCTV, and statements. “There are still some inquiries outstanding on those. “They remain as unexpected deaths, but there are still some inquiries outstanding. He’s not a suspect at this time. Most read in The Sun “We’re in conversation with His Majesty’s Coroner, but they were reviewed as part of the investigation.” The 40-year-old dismembered his victim’s bodies in Paramoor Woods, near Sticker in Cornwall and tried to burn and bury their remains. Desborough also stole their money and used Daniel’s cash to treat himself to a “large beef roast” after chopping him up. When he was awaiting trial for murder, he also killed his cellmate Steven Kempster at Exeter Prison. He was handed a life sentence after strangling Kempster to death because the monster was annoyed by his snoring. 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. 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. 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. He will be sentenced later today.