How serial killer James Desborough preyed on vulnerable homeless men
James Desborough has been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of two homeless men in Cornwall. Police are now investigating four additional unexplained deaths linked to the same homeless shelter.
Why it matters
The case highlights the extreme vulnerability of homeless populations and raises serious questions about safety and oversight in social housing facilities.
Image caption, Daniel Coleman and Claudio Aquilino were last seen alive in the company of their killer James Desborough
"He's really off his head. He doesn't care... he is kamikaze."
Those were Claudio Aquilino's words during a 999 call the day before he disappeared.
He was frightened and told police he wanted nothing to do with a crime he believed was about to be committed by a man called James Desborough.
About 12 hours later on 18 April 2025, CCTV captured Aquilino with Desborough in a Newquay pub.
It was the last time Aquilino was seen alive.
Police found his burnt remains in a stream months later as they searched woodland owned by Desborough near Sticker, a small village in south Cornwall.
By then another man - Daniel Coleman - had also vanished after last being seen in Desborough's company. His remains were found nearby.
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