A British man has been found guilty of murder after a jury concluded he fatally attacked his cousin with an axe, Sussex Police said.
Jurors at Hove Crown Court unanimously convicted 48-year-old Donald Excell of murder and possession of a weapon in a public place. Excell was accused of killing his 58-year-old cousin, Rita Lambourne, in February and had denied the charges.
“This has been an extremely distressing case for everyone involved, particularly Rita’s family and friends, as well as the wider community,” Sussex Police Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, the senior investigating officer, said in a statement.
What To Know
Lambourne was killed at her home in Bexhill, East Sussex, on February 12, the BBC reported.
Jurors were shown CCTV footage that prosecutors said captured Excell approaching Lambourne’s house carrying an axe. The prosecution said she was struck four times, including a blow that pierced her heart.
Excell did not offer an alibi or present evidence in his own defense, the BBC reported. Sussex Police said he responded “no comment” to most questions during interviews.
Investigators initially could not locate the weapon or items believed to have been used during the killing. Police said a group of teenage boys fishing at a lake north of Bexhill later found a rucksack containing clothing and an axe sheath.
Two weeks later, divers recovered an axe from the same lake. Financial inquiries showed Excell had purchased an axe and a leather axe sheath in 2019, police said.
Forensic scientist Suzanne Winter said there was “no indication” that Excell’s DNA was among samples found on the axe, ITV News reported. However, she told jurors his DNA was found beneath Lambourne’s fingernails after the attack, alongside samples from two unidentified individuals, the outlet reported.
Lambourne’s daughter, Kerry, testified that Excell frequently started arguments with her mother, the BBC reported. She described one incident in which his “tone changed” after Lambourne drove him home. He accused her of “all sorts of horrible things that aren’t true” and kicked the side of the car, according to the outlet.
What People Are Saying
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, in a statement: “We hope that this outcome provides some measure of closure for those who loved Rita. Our thoughts remain firmly with them.”
Rita Lambourne’s family, in a statement: “Today marks a moment of solemn closure and collective strength for our family. Following the court’s verdict, which found Donald Excell guilty of the murder of Rita Marie Lambourne, we come together to honour Rita’s life. This outcome reflects the tireless work of the police, the judicial system, and the unwavering courage of a family that refused to allow violence to define our future. While no verdict can undo the loss of Rita, the court’s decision affirms accountability and upholds the principle that justice must prevail.”
What Happens Next
Excell is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2026, and the judge has ordered a psychiatric report, the BBC reported.
