Woman Accused of Murdering Film Director Sister and Stealing Diamond Rolex
Nancy Pexton, aged 69, is on trial at the Old Bailey for the alleged murder of her sister, film director Jennifer Abbott, in a brutal attack at her Camden flat. The court heard that Pexton fatally slashed her sister's neck and stole her diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch, an item of great sentimental value that Abbott never removed.
Discovery of the Body
On June 13, 2025, a concerned neighbour forced open the door to Abbott's Mornington Place flat after noticing the unusual silence of her corgi dog, Prince. He discovered Abbott's partially naked and decomposing body on the living room floor, with a large slash wound across her neck and gaffer tape over her mouth. The dog had been locked in the bathroom and was later freed by firefighters in good health, though in desperate need of relief.
Alleged Timeline of Events
Prosecutor Bill Boyce KC outlined that Abbott was last seen on doorbell camera footage returning from walking her dog at 7:36 am on June 10. The sisters spoke by phone at 11:36 am, after which Pexton travelled by bus to Abbott's flat, arriving at 12:45 pm and staying for approximately an hour. There is no evidence Abbott was alive after this visit.
Following the alleged killing, Pexton called her GP claiming to have taken an overdose and was taken to hospital by ambulance, where she remained until her arrest on June 18. She told jurors she could not remember the previous 90 minutes, a period the prosecution asserts she was in her sister's flat committing murder.
Blood Evidence and Stolen Watch
The court heard that Pexton was covered in her sister's blood "from top to bottom" after the attack, wearing a black cowboy hat and blue dungarees. While in hospital, she allegedly asked one of her daughters to wash or dispose of the bloodied clothes, explaining the blood resulted from hugging her sister during a nosebleed. However, Boyce suggested the blood was from slashing Abbott ten times.
Abbott's diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, which she was "greatly attached to" and typically wore with a Cartier bracelet, was missing from her body. Police later found it in Pexton's bag during a search. When confronted, Pexton allegedly replied, "Oh yes, that's my sister's. She asked me to look after it."
Defendant's Claims and Background
Pexton, who is effectively homeless and had been staying near Baker Street, denied the murder charge. She claimed to have "always been close" to her sister, sharing secrets and deep feelings, and stated Abbott was in good spirits when she left. In a 999 call before hospitalization, Pexton alleged family abuse but refused to report it, citing fear of powerful relatives who might kill her.
A post-mortem examination revealed Abbott sustained multiple stab and slash wounds, including a defensive wound to her right hand. The trial continues as the central issue remains whether Pexton, who turns 70 soon, is responsible for her sister's death.
