Nancy Pexton, aged 70, has been convicted at the Old Bailey for the murder of her sister, a film director, before stealing her diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch.
Pexton fatally injured Jennifer Abbott, aged 69, by slashing her throat and silencing her with tape, leaving her lifeless in her Camden residence dressed only in underwear. Pexton, who had a history of relying on welfare support and had recently faced homelessness, harbored jealousy towards her sister, a documentary filmmaker, referring to her as malevolent.
Concerned about Ms. Abbott’s well-being, the family grew anxious prompting Pexton to send her daughter to check on her, knowing she would discover her deceased aunt. Remarkably, Ms. Abbott’s Corgi Prince was found alive in the bathroom, having survived alone for three days.
Despite denying the murder, Pexton, who was slightly younger than her sister, was found guilty by an Old Bailey jury following a brief deliberation of two hours and 45 minutes. She participated in the court proceedings remotely from HMP Bronzefield and displayed visible distress as she awaited the verdict.
As the jury unanimously delivered its decision, Pexton sat at a table, clutching her hands and shedding tears. Though her attire was stained with blood, she attributed it to comforting her sister during a nosebleed.
Brad Carlson, Ms. Abbott’s son, disclosed the complex dynamics between the two sisters, noting a mix of affection, disputes, and intermittent reconciliations. He described their relationship as filled with love, anger, and underlying resentment.
The prosecution characterized Pexton as an emotionally driven perpetrator and a proven deceiver in the case, highlighting the intense familial emotions at play. Pexton opted not to testify during the trial, with a history of prior convictions related to driving offenses and non-compliance with legal orders.
Residing in Marylebone, at Gloucester Place, Pexton denied but was ultimately convicted of the murder.