Horror Writer Feared Her Sister Would Hurt Her — She Was Found Bound, Unresponsive, and Missing One Pricey Item

When the door finally gave way, the flat was silent.

For three days, calls had gone unanswered. Concern had grown steadily until a relative arrived at the property on Mornington Place in Camden on the evening of 13 June 2025, accompanied by a neighbour. Together, they forced entry.

Inside, Jennifer Abbott was lying on the floor of her living room with black masking tape over her mouth. The stillness of the space would soon raise questions from authorities and lead to one of the most unsettling family cases in London in recent years.

At first, it wasn’t just what was there that drew attention — but what was missing: an item those close to her said she never removed.

That detail would later become central to the investigation.

Abbott, 69, a London-born filmmaker and published horror writer, had not been seen since 10 June. She was later confirmed to have passed away inside her north London home.

Nearly a year later, on 29 April 2026, her sister, Nancy Pexton, 70, was found guilty at the Old Bailey, following an extensive Metropolitan Police investigation that uncovered planning, betrayal, and a missing sentimental item.

A Life That Spanned Beverly Hills and Camden

Abbott — also known by her pen name Sarah Steinberg — lived a life marked by creativity, movement, and reinvention.

The daughter of an ambassador, she graduated from the University of Westminster and went on to build a career that extended far beyond the UK. At one point, her life took her to Beverly Hills, where she moved within creative circles and documented moments that reflected a very different chapter of her life.

According to The National, her Facebook page included photographs alongside Kate Hudson, George Benson, and Dane Cook. A neighbour said, "She used to live in Beverly Hills," adding that Abbott later returned to London after she "lost everything."

By the time she settled in Camden, she had become a familiar presence in the neighbourhood. Those nearby remembered her not just for her background, but for her personality.

"She was a lovely lady, always so well turned out and lovely to speak to," another neighbour said:

"She was a real character."

But in the weeks before her passing, something about her situation had begun to raise concern.

Horror Writer, Documentary Filmmaker, Published Author

Abbott’s creative output reflected a deep interest in fear, survival, and the unseen.

Her 1995 novel, "The Scream from Within," followed a woman attempting to escape a painful past, only to find that confronting it was unavoidable. An Amazon reviewer described it as an "intense, adventurous and utterly emotional experience."

Her work extended into film as well. In 2004, she produced "Temple of Fear," a short film inspired by her supernatural novel "The Other Dimension."

She had ambitions to develop the story further, with plans that at one point involved Christopher Walken and Jason Alexander.

In 2002, she published a poetry collection titled "Poems From the Deepest Corner of the Soul," adding another dimension to her creative voice.

Perhaps her most widely recognised work was the documentary "War of the Gods," which explored how political leaders have used religion to justify conflict. The film received the best documentary award at the 2009 Swansea Film Festival, an event supported by figures such as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Sheen.

Her career often explored fear as a concept — something imagined, written, and examined.

In the final weeks of her life, that fear appeared to move beyond fiction.

She Had Already Put Her Fear Into Words

During the investigation, authorities uncovered a detail that would shape the direction of the case. According to the Metropolitan Police, Abbott had sent a message expressing concern that her sister intended to harm her.

The message stood out not just for its content, but for its timing.

Analysis of Pexton’s phone later revealed notes referencing plans related to Abbott. Additional material, including accounts from those who knew her and digital records, was presented in court, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The concern Abbott had shared would take on new meaning as investigators began piecing together what had happened inside her home.

A Tuesday Afternoon Visit

On the morning of 10 June 2025, Abbott received a phone call from her sister.

Roughly an hour later, at approximately 12:45 pm, Pexton arrived at the flat on Mornington Place. She remained there for about an hour before leaving.

That visit would become the last confirmed time Abbott was known to be alive.

After that afternoon, there were no further calls answered. No messages returned. CCTV footage later confirmed she did not leave the flat at any point — not even for her usual routine of walking her corgi, something neighbours said she did every day without fail.

As hours turned into days, the unease deepened.

Three days later, the door was forced open.

What Was Found Inside

The scene inside the flat was quiet but deeply unsettling.

Abbott was in the living room, lying on the floor. Black masking tape had been placed over her mouth, and she had sustained serious injuries to her neck.

Her corgi, still inside, had remained there for the entire period. The animal was later removed safely by the fire service.

Emergency responders attended the scene. Abbott was confirmed to have passed away there.

The stillness of the flat, combined with the details of what was found, quickly raised questions — not only about what had happened, but about what might be missing.

The Sentimental Item That Drew Attention

Among Abbott’s personal belongings was one item that stood out to those who knew her well.

A diamond-encrusted gold Rolex Datejust watch.

Family members told investigators it held deep sentimental value. It was not simply an accessory — it was something she wore constantly, something they said she never removed.

When Abbott was found, the watch was no longer on her wrist.

Its absence became a key detail.

Five days later, on 18 June, when Pexton was detained, authorities searched her belongings. The watch was discovered in her bag.

Investigators confirmed it matched the one Abbott had been seen wearing in photographs provided by her family, according to the Metropolitan Police.

What had initially seemed like a single missing item now became a central piece of the wider picture.

The Evidence That Followed

As the case developed, further findings were presented during proceedings.

Pexton’s DNA was identified on the masking tape that had been placed over Abbott’s mouth. In addition, a plastic bag containing clothing belonging to Pexton was recovered, with analysis confirming the presence of Abbott’s blood.

Phone records also played a role in establishing the sequence of events. They confirmed the call made on the morning of 10 June, shortly before the visit to the flat.

Each detail added another layer to the timeline investigators were building.

Detective Inspector Barry Hart, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said: "Jennifer should have been able to feel safe in her own home. Instead, she was betrayed by someone she trusted, and the circumstances surrounding her passing were deeply unsettling," adding:

"The determination of the investigation team has ensured that Pexton has been held fully accountable for her actions."

As details of the case emerged, and footage of Pexton being approached by authorities began circulating online, viewers quickly focused on the tone of the exchange, "So polite."

For many, the calm, almost understated nature of the moment stood out — especially given the context:

"The way she asked if she was Nancy was like she was about to invite her for a cup of tea. Funny how she was incriminated for suspicion of [taking her sister's life] with that nonchalant British attitude."

Others expressed immediately, "That is shocking!!!" while some focused on the family aspect, and the item at the centre of the case, "This is horrible. Not only to kill your own sister, but also because of some stupid watch."

Found Guilty

On 29 April 2026, following proceedings at the Old Bailey, the jury found Pexton guilty.

She was 70 years old, nine months younger than her sister.

Throughout the proceedings, Pexton denied responsibility. However, the evidence presented formed a consistent narrative.

She is due before the court on 1 May 2026 for the next stage of proceedings. In the days following the discovery, one detail lingered with those who had entered the flat.

The quiet.

The unanswered calls.

And the small corgi that had remained inside, waiting.

For a writer who had spent years exploring fear on the page, the final chapter of Abbott’s story unfolded in a way few could have imagined — shaped not by fiction, but by something far closer to home.