Family's grief over 'wicked' murder of grandmother

Lorna England's family said they have a "permanent empty void" because they miss her so much

The family of a woman who was murdered by a stranger in a park say they will "never come to terms with the death of such a wonderful lady".

Lorna England, 74, was murdered as she walked home from a shopping errand through Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter in February 2023.

Her family spoke after Philip Spinney, senior coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, concluded on Wednesday the grandmother had been unlawfully killed by Cameron Davis, 31, who stabbed her in the park. Davis was convicted of her murder and jailed for 28 years at Exeter Crown Court in July 2024.

The family said in a statement: "How do you ever make sense of such a wicked act?"

'Gentle nature'

Mrs England's family said she was "kind and loving lady who lived life to the full and was the most content person you could ever wish to meet".

"Her smile lit up the room and her gentle nature made everyone feel welcome and loved," they said.

"She had a quiet strength and a generous heart; always putting others before herself."

The family thanked police investigators and a witness who challenged Davis after the attack, "risking her own life while helping Lorna".

"We all have a permanent empty void because we miss Lorna so much," they said.

"From the moment we wake up, we relive the shock and horror that she is no longer with us and we take that to bed every night.

"We will never come to terms with the death of such a wonderful lady."

Hollie Muckley from HCC Solicitors, which has been assisting the family, said there was a "chance that Lorna's death could have been avoided", saying mental health authority Devon Partnership Trust "were aware" of Davis's "problems a year before Lorna's death".

Exeter Crown Court heard Davis had called police on the morning of 18 February - the day he attacked Mrs England - and threatened to take his own life in a fire at his accommodation unless he was arrested.

Davis told paramedics who attended the property he was going to kill someone if he was discharged that day.

Ms Muckley asked: "Why hadn't the police, clinical staff and housing agencies been involved in a multi-agency risk meeting about Davis?

"Why hadn't Devon Partnership Trust added Davis to a waiting list in relation to his mental health when they were aware of his problems a year before Lorna's death?"

She asked why police had not responded to a 101 call from clinicians to report the threats Davis was making on the day he murdered Mrs England.

'Decisions appropriate'

A spokesperson for Devon Partnership Trust said the jury at Davis's trial found he had been "fully aware and in control of his actions" when he murdered Mrs England.

"This supported the findings of the clinical assessment that was conducted by our staff on the morning of the incident," it said, adding the coroner "concluded that the decisions and actions taken by our staff in this case were appropriate and reasonable".

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne said Devon and Cornwall Police would "carefully review and consider each of the findings in detail".

"We remain fully committed to learning from this process and working closely with our partners to ensure that any necessary improvements are identified and implemented," he said.

"Our thoughts remain with Mrs. England's family and all those affected by this tragic case."