An inquest jury has found that a series of failings probably contributed to the deaths of three pensioners killed in Exeter in February 2019. Anthony Payne, 80, and identical twins Dick and Roger Carter, 84, were killed about three hours apart at houses around 1.5 miles apart on 10 February 2019.

Custody release under scrutiny

The jury criticised Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon County Council, Devon Partnership Trust and contractor G4S. It said the shortcomings probably made a more than minimal contribution to the three deaths. The jury's conclusions were reported on 27 October 2026, after inquests examining the events of February 2019.

Systemic failures identified

Alexander Lewis-Ranwell had been released from police custody shortly before the killings, after arrests between 8 and 11 February, including for attacking farmer John Ellis with a saw. The jury called the failure to record a call from Lewis-Ranwell's mother a serious failing that probably made a more than minimal contribution to the deaths.

Jurors also found systemic failures in Mental Health Act assessment referral policies and practices, and found that forensic medical examiner Dr Mihail Pichiu had a fundamental misunderstanding of mental-state examination. Lewis-Ranwell was later found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and detained indefinitely in a psychiatric unit.

Sources: Care Appointments and The Hona News.