Four deaths at homeless shelter linked to serial killer to be reviewed

Devon and Cornwall Police are reviewing the unexplained deaths of four people who stayed at the Sandy Lodge homeless shelter in Newquay. The individuals, two men and two women, died between December 2024 and April 2025.

The review is being conducted by the major crime investigation team after the coroner's officer alerted them to the unexpected deaths. Detective Superintendent Rachael Bentley stated that a detective inspector, separate from the murder investigation, reviewed the cases. This review included commissioning further forensic work, examining CCTV footage, and taking statements.

Triple killer James Desborough, 40, was recently found guilty of murdering two men he met at Sandy Lodge and a cellmate in Exeter Prison. Police have confirmed that Desborough is not currently a suspect in these four deaths, and there is no believed link at this time.

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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.

"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," Bentley said. "Police said inquiries were ongoing and the deaths remained unexpected at this stage."

Inquiries at the time of each death suggested natural causes. However, the coronial investigations were paused when Desborough was arrested for murder charges. The police stated that inquiries are ongoing and the deaths are still considered unexpected.

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Police said inquiries were ongoing and the deaths remained unexpected at this stage.