Derek Martin, 67, committed a heinous act by fatally assaulting his stepdaughter Chloe Bashford, 30, in her home with a hammer and a knife. Following a heated argument over money, Martin unleashed a violent attack on Chloe, striking her multiple times with a hammer before stabbing her eight times. He then awaited the return of Chloe’s husband, Josh, 33, whom he also viciously attacked, leading to Josh’s tragic demise. After the brutal killings, Martin attempted to conceal the crime scene, picked up the couple’s four children from school, and treated them to a meal before turning himself in to the authorities.
Despite claiming a psychiatric condition at the time, Martin was found guilty of both murders more than two years after the tragic incident. The court sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years. Prior to the incident, Martin had a history of depression and had ceased taking his medication, which likely contributed to his violent actions.
Chloe’s family members expressed their devastation over the loss, with Elaine Sturges, Chloe’s mother, emphasizing the irreplaceable void left by her daughter’s death. The couple’s eldest son, Brooklynn Bashford, mourned his loving parents, stating that he grapples with constant nightmares and flashbacks of the tragic day. He expressed his unyielding stance of never forgiving Martin for the unforgivable act.
The tragic events unfolded in Newhaven, East Sussex, where Martin, who had previously been married to Chloe’s mother, had rekindled a close relationship with the family. Despite previous assistance with household tasks and financial support, a dispute over money escalated into a fatal confrontation, leading to the devastating loss of two lives.