Man, 61, Found Guilty after His Ex-Fiancé, 54, Was Discovered Dead in a Hotel Room

In the quiet elegance of a luxury hotel, a man's former fiancée's final act of kindness was met with unimaginable violence — a tragedy that has now led to justice, but not without leaving a deep and lasting wound.

A 61-year-old man, James Cartwright, has been found guilty of murdering and raping his former fiancée, 54-year-old Samantha Mickleburgh, during what was meant to be a final farewell at a luxury hotel in Surrey.

Cartwright was convicted by a unanimous jury at Guildford Crown Court but was acquitted of a charge of controlling or coercive behavior, Metro reported. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8 and now faces a life sentence.

Mickleburgh, a mother of two from Axminster, Devon, was found dead on April 14, 2024, in their shared room at the five-star Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot.

Evidence presented by the prosecution showed Cartwright deleted photos of Mickleburgh from his phone at 1:22 a.m., which led investigators to conclude she was likely already dead by 1:30 a.m., the Telegraph reported.

The court heard that she had reluctantly agreed to join Cartwright for an overnight stay to mark his 60th birthday, despite having ended their relationship.

Her daughter, Jessica Mickleburgh, testified that Cartwright had pressured her mother into attending, "He sent her a lot of messages calling her cruel for not wanting to spend that time with him." Her son, Alexander Mickleburgh, added, "She made it clear this was the last time she was going to see him."

According to Devon Live, Mickleburgh agreed to the dinner and stay because she "didn't want him to feel lonely." The evening included a six-course tasting menu at the Michelin-starred Latymer restaurant inside the hotel.

Elena Jabri, a waitress who served the pair, reportedly said that at the start of the meal, Mickleburgh was lively and talkative, but her demeanor abruptly changed as she began to appear unwell. "It seemed extremely sudden to me. I cannot tell how long it was but I thought it was very weird [sic]," the waitress added.

Jabri also noted that by the third course, Mickleburgh appeared unsteady on her feet and was holding onto the sofa for support. The couple left early and returned to their room by 10:30 p.m., according to CCTV footage, the last time Mickleburgh was seen alive.

Cartwright later claimed he woke up the next morning to find Mickleburgh dead beside him and called emergency services at 8:30 a.m. But Prosecutor Louise Oakley reportedly told the court, "That was a lie. He had most likely killed her in the early hours with his own bare hands applying manual pressure around her neck, extinguishing her life [sic]."

The post-mortem reportedly revealed signs of strangulation. The court also heard that Cartwright, who had another girlfriend at the time and was active on the dating app Bumble, had reportedly told other women that his dinner with Mickleburgh had "the feel of a final farewell."

In a police interview following his arrest on April 19, 2024, Cartwright told Surrey Police that Mickleburgh seemed upbeat on their way to the hotel room and that the two had consensual sex before falling asleep. Prosecutors said this claim was inconsistent with both physical evidence and his digital records, BBC reported.

In a statement issued by Surrey Police, Mickleburgh's family reportedly said, "We as a family, are relieved that this has finally come to an end. That the defendant has been seen for who he truly is, a rapist and a murderer. No longer free to harm or control any more women," adding:

"Unfortunately, it was too late for our beloved daughter, mother, sister and friend. She truly was the best of us, the kindest light in all our lives and the hole left behind is one of such severe magnitude we will likely never escape it."

The family also requested privacy as they continue to grieve. Pennyhill Park Hotel, the site of the murder, is known for its spa retreats and luxury getaways.

While no sentence can undo the pain inflicted or fill the void the 54-year-old's death has left behind, her family's hope for closure has now begun. As Cartwright awaits sentencing, the legacy of Mickleburgh's strength, kindness, and grace endures in the memories of those who loved her—and in the justice secured in her name.