A tragic incident unfolded when Derek Martin, a 67-year-old grandfather, viciously attacked his stepdaughter Chloe Bashford, 30, with a hammer, and later fatally stabbed her eight times. The horrific event continued as he then waited for Chloe’s husband, Josh, to arrive home, where he proceeded to stab him four times and strangle him to death. Martin, of Moulsecoomb, Brighton, confessed to the killings but claimed a psychiatric condition as his defense during the trial.
Prior to the gruesome act, Martin had been assisting the family with household chores and had even provided financial help to Chloe and Josh. The relationship took a dark turn when an argument erupted over money owed to Martin. In a fit of rage, he resorted to violence, leading to the tragic deaths of the couple.
After the killings, Martin attempted to conceal the crime from the children, taking them out for a meal before dropping them off at their grandmother’s house and turning himself in to the authorities. The court proceedings revealed Martin’s history of mental health issues and sleep deprivation leading up to the incident.
The devastated family members, including Chloe’s mother, Elaine Sturges, and their eldest son, Brooklynn Bashford, expressed their profound grief and trauma caused by the senseless loss of their loved ones. Martin was ultimately sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years for the double murder, finally bringing some closure to the heartbreaking case.
