A police investigation is underway into the deaths of four individuals who resided at a homeless shelter with serial killer James Desborough, who is set to be sentenced on Wednesday for the murders of Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, in Cornwall last year.
Background of the Case
Desborough, 40, and his victims had previously stayed at Sandy Lodge Hotel in Newquay, a facility offering shelter to homeless people and those battling addiction. Following the deaths of Aquilino and Coleman, authorities are re-examining the unexplained deaths of four other residents who lived at the hotel during Desborough's time there.
Desborough resided at Sandy Lodge Hotel between December 2024 and April 2025. During that period, two men and two women died unexpectedly.
Police Statement
Detective Superintendent Rachael Bentley, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "As a major crime investigation team, we were informed by the coroner's officer for His Majesty's Coroner that there were four deaths at Sandy Lodge."
She added: "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 noted that there are still inquiries outstanding on those deaths. "They remain as unexpected deaths, but there are still some inquiries outstanding. He's not a suspect at this time."
Ongoing Review
The police are in conversation with His Majesty's Coroner, and the probe into the four fatalities is "ongoing." Bentley stated: "We don't believe there is a link at this time."
Desborough, a fan of the serial killer drama series Dexter, denied both murders and described the deaths as a "series of unfortunate circumstances."
