A man has been found guilty of brutally murdering his stepdaughter and her husband in a tragic incident that shocked the community. Derek Martin, who admitted to the killings, claimed he “just flipped” during a heated argument over money. The violent attack involved bludgeoning Chloe Bashford with a hammer and stabbing her multiple times, followed by a fatal assault on her husband, Josh.
After committing the gruesome crimes, Martin went on to pick up the couple’s four children from school, took them for a meal, and then dropped them off at their grandmother’s house before turning himself in to the authorities. Despite confessing to the killings upon surrendering, he maintained that he was suffering from a serious mental disorder at the time and pleaded not guilty to murder.
Following a thorough trial, a jury at Brighton Law Courts deliberated for five and a half hours before reaching a verdict of guilty on both murder charges. The families of the victims were visibly shaken as the verdict was announced, while Martin remained stoic. The 67-year-old is set to receive his sentence in November.
The court proceedings revealed that Martin had a complex history with the victims, having been previously married to Chloe’s mother before reconnecting with the family. He had been actively involved in their lives, assisting with household tasks and even providing financial support for a new car and home improvements. However, tensions escalated over unpaid debts, leading to the tragic events on that fateful day in June.
Martin’s erratic behavior in the lead-up to the murders, including sleep deprivation and medication non-compliance, raised questions about his mental state during the violent outburst. While he acknowledged his role in the deaths, he maintained that his actions were influenced by underlying mental health issues.
The community remains in shock over the senseless loss of two lives, as the legal process moves forward to determine the appropriate consequences for the perpetrator.