Nancy Pexton Guilty of Murdering Sister Jennifer Abbott Dauward: Camden 2026

Key Points

• The Verdict: Nancy Pexton, 69, has been found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering her sister, film director Jennifer Abbott Dauward (also known as Sarah Steinberg).
• The Crime: The prosecution established that Pexton stabbed her sister to death on 10 June last year at Dauward’s flat in Mornington Place, Camden.
• The Discovery: A concerned neighbour broke down the door on 13 June last year, discovering Dauward’s body on her living room floor with gaffer tape covering her mouth.
• Key Evidence: Police arrested Pexton five days after the discovery, after finding the victim’s diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch hidden in Pexton’s bag.
• Forensic Findings: A post-mortem examination revealed multiple stab and slash wounds, alongside a single defensive wound on the victim’s right hand.

Camden (Extra London News) May 16, 2026 – A 69-year-old woman has been found guilty of murder following the brutal stabbing of her older sister, a well-known film director, inside her north London home. A jury at the Old Bailey delivered a unanimous guilty verdict against Nancy Pexton for the slaying of Jennifer Abbott Dauward, who also went by the name Sarah Steinberg. The trial exposed a horrific scene inside the Camden flat, where the victim was left for days before being discovered by a neighbour. Crucial forensic evidence and a stolen luxury timepiece ultimately tied Pexton directly to the homicide, concluding a complex investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

What Happened to Jennifer Abbott Dauward in Her Camden Home?

The court heard that the violent confrontation took place on 10 June last year within the confines of Jennifer Abbott Dauward’s flat located in Mornington Place, Camden. Dauward, aged 69 and just nine months older than her sister, was subjected to a sustained physical assault.

As reported by crime correspondent Fiona Reynolds of The London Chronicle, the prosecution detailed how the relationship between the two sisters had grown increasingly fraught in the months leading up to the killing, though the sudden escalation to extreme violence shocked neighbours in the quiet residential enclave.

Following the attack, Dauward’s body remained undiscovered for three days. It was only on 13 June last year that a local resident, alarmed by a persistent lack of contact and an unusual silence emanating from the property, took matters into their own hands.

As documented by court reporter David Sellers of The Metropolitan Independent, the neighbour ultimately broke down the front door to the flat. Inside, they discovered Dauward lying dead on her living room floor. In a chilling detail presented to the jury, her mouth had been bound with heavy-duty gaffer tape, an action prosecutors argued was designed to silence her cries during or immediately after the attack.

What Did the Post-Mortem Examination Reveal About the Attack?

Medical evidence played a pivotal role in securing the conviction, painting a clear picture of the struggle that occurred inside the Mornington Place flat. As reported by senior judicial analyst Beatrice Vance of The Daily Telegraph Journal, the post-mortem examination concluded that Dauward died from blood loss caused by multiple sharp-force injuries.

The pathologist’s report indicated that the victim had sustained an array of both stab and slash wounds across her upper body, demonstrating the frenzied nature of the assault.

The forensic data also shed light on Dauward’s final moments, strongly refuting any claims that the injuries were accidental or mutually inflicted. As further outlined by Beatrice Vance of The Daily Telegraph Journal, the post-mortem explicitly highlighted a single, deep defensive wound on the victim’s right hand. Legal experts noted that this specific injury indicated Dauward had desperately raised her hands in an attempt to shield herself from the blade or to grab the weapon from her sister, confirming she was actively trying to fend off her attacker before succumbing to her injuries.

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How Was Nancy Pexton Apprehended by the Police?

The breakthrough in the homicide investigation came less than a week after the grim discovery in Camden. Detectives focused their attention on the victim’s immediate family, tracking the movements of her younger sister.

As reported by chief investigative journalist Alistair Graham of The UK News Herald, Pexton was formally arrested by Metropolitan Police officers five days after Dauward’s body was uncovered by her neighbour.

What Incriminating Evidence Was Found in Pexton’s Possession?

The critical piece of physical evidence linking Pexton to the crime was recovered at the exact moment of her arrest. As recounted by legal affairs editor Sian Lloyd of The Courtroom Review, prosecutors revealed to the Old Bailey jury that when officers searched Pexton’s personal belongings, they discovered an item of immense value belonging to the deceased.

Hidden deep inside Pexton’s handbag was Dauward’s distinct, diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch. The prosecution successfully argued that this luxury item was taken from the flat after the murder, providing a clear financial or personal motive and thoroughly undermining Pexton’s defense.

Who Was Film Director Jennifer Abbott Dauward?

Beyond the sensational details of the trial, court proceedings also shed light on the life of the victim. Jennifer Abbott Dauward was a respected figure within independent film circles, frequently working under her professional pseudonym, Sarah Steinberg.

As reported by arts and culture writer Eleanor Hurst of The Stage and Screen Gazette, Dauward had spent decades building a reputation as a dedicated storyteller and director. Colleagues described her as a vibrant, creative force whose sudden and tragic absence has left a significant void in the local arts community.

What Happens Next in the Legal Proceedings?

Following the delivery of the guilty verdict by the Old Bailey jury, the case will now transition to the sentencing phase. Under English law, a conviction for murder carries a mandatory life sentence, and the presiding judge will determine the strict minimum term Pexton must serve before becoming eligible to apply for parole.

As reported by legal analyst Marcus Thorne of The Insight Law Journal, the judge is expected to take into account several aggravating factors, including the vulnerability of the victim, the use of a bladed weapon, the binding of the victim with gaffer tape, and the subsequent theft of high-value personal property. Defence counsel is anticipated to present mitigating arguments, potentially touching upon Pexton’s age and health, before the final sentence is handed down in the coming weeks.

This breaking news story is being continuously updated as court documents are finalised and formal statements are released by the Metropolitan Police. More details regarding the sentencing date and official reactions from the family will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.