Donald Excell, aged 50, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 31 years after being found guilty of murdering his cousin, 58-year-old Rita Lambourne. The tragic incident occurred at her home in Bayencourt South, Bexhill, on the evening of 12 February 2025.
The attack happened at around 9.30pm when Excell assaulted Rita Lambourne using an axe, causing fatal injuries. Despite the prompt arrival of paramedics, Rita was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the murder, detectives conducted a thorough investigation. Extensive CCTV footage was reviewed, which helped piece together Excell’s movements before and after the attack. This evidence led to his arrest on 14 February 2025. During police questioning, Excell largely chose to remain silent, responding with “no comment” answers.
Months after the murder, a group of teenage boys fishing north of Bexhill discovered a rucksack in a lake. The bag contained clothing, an axe sheath, and a sandbag believed to have been used to weigh the items down. A police search in the area subsequently recovered the axe linked to the attack on Rita Lambourne.
Further investigation revealed that Excell had purchased the axe and a leather sheath in 2019, with the items delivered to his home address. Expert forensic analysis confirmed that the injuries sustained by Rita matched the size and characteristics of the recovered weapon.
The trial at Hove Crown Court concluded on 19 December 2025, where a jury found Donald Excell unanimously guilty of murder and possession of a weapon in a public place. It was also noted during the proceedings that Excell had previously admitted to an unrelated assault on his father in August 2025.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell described the case as “extremely distressing”. DCI Campbell expressed hope that the life sentence handed down to Excell would bring some closure to Rita Lambourne’s family and the wider community in Bexhill.
Originally published by UKNIP.
