Authorities in Cornwall are conducting a review into four unexplained deaths that occurred at a homeless shelter where convicted triple murderer James Desborough once resided. Desborough, 40, was recently convicted of killing two men he encountered at the Sandy Lodge facility in Newquay. He had previously been sentenced for the murder of his prison cellmate in Exeter while awaiting trial.
Det Supt Rachael Bentley of the Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that investigators are looking into the passing of two men and two women between December 2024 and April 2025. While initial reports indicated these deaths were likely due to natural causes, the emergence of the murder charges prompted police to pause their original assessments and initiate a fresh inquiry. This process involves updated forensic analysis, review of surveillance footage, and gathering additional witness accounts.
Despite the investigation, police emphasized that Desborough is not currently considered a suspect regarding these specific deaths. Officials stated that there is no confirmed link between the killer and these fatalities at this time, though the inquiry remains open and active.
