A man has appeared in court charged with the axe murder of a woman while police continue to hunt down the missing murder weapon.
Donald Excell, 48, today appeared before Lewes Crown Court charged with the murder of Rita Lambourne, 58, who was discovered fatally injured just after 10pm on February 12 at home in Bexhill, East Sussex.
Police said she had suffered catastrophic injuries and despite the best efforts of attending emergency services was confirmed dead at the scene.
Wearing a grey sweatshirt and trousers, grey-haired Excell spoke only to confirm his name during the ten-minute hearing.
Sussex Police are still asking residents in Bexhill and its surrounding areas to aid the search for a weapon by checking bins, gardens and other outside spaces.
They are also hoping to find a navy blue North Face rucksack which they think may have been used during the murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell of Sussex Police said it had been a ‘hugely distressing incident, not least for the family and friends of Rita but also the wider community’.
Donald Excell, 48, (pictured) appeared before Lewes Crown Court today charged with the murder of Rita Lambourne
Rita Lambourne, 58, (pictured) was found dead in her own home on the evening of February 12
Sussex Police are particularly keen to locate a navy blue North Face rucksack
‘I’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while our officers have conducted enquiries in the local area,’ he added,.
‘Our officers will remain on patrol for reassurance, and, in the meantime, I would still urge anyone who can assist us in our investigation to please come forward and contact us’.
In a statement, Ms Lambourne’s family described her as a ‘much loved member of the community’ who was ‘adored by her family and friends’.
‘We would be extremely grateful for any information that can be offered, and would like to request privacy at this difficult time,’ they added
A 39-year-old woman from Bexhill who was arrested on suspicion of murder, and a 32-year-old man from Bexhill arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have both been released with no further action.
Meanwhile, Excell was remanded in custody and is due to enter a plea to the single charge of murder in May, with a trial date set for August this year.
