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Stepfather accused of murdering student
Stepfather on trial for murdering 19-year-old student: 'Paid' for saying 'no' to sexual obsession.
In brief
Stepfather on trial for murdering 19-year-old student: 'Paid' for saying 'no' to sexual obsession. Stepfather Nathan Owens, 34, is accused of murdering his stepdaughter Carla Georgescu, 19, after allegedly strangling her following her refusal to engage in sexual acts. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Stepfather on trial
Nathan Owens, 34, faces murder charges after allegedly strangling his stepdaughter Carla Georgescu, 19, at her University of Lancashire accommodation.
Prosecutor questions motive
Prosecutor Nicholas Lumley KC asked if Owens treated Carla 'like one of your effigies' and if she 'paid' for saying 'no' to his sexual obsession.
Motivation: sexual jealousy
Owens was motivated by 'sexual jealousy' after learning Carla planned to meet a man she had been romantically involved with online.
Escalating obsession
Owens had 'escalating fascination' with Carla, including having sex with a life-sized 'effigy' clothed in her nightdress.
Night of the crime
Owens drove over 100 miles from Hartlepool to Carla's University of Lancashire accommodation in the early hours of February 4, 2026.
Carla's condition
Carla was wearing a fluffy dressing gown and pyjamas when she let Owens into her accommodation at around 4am on February 4, 2026.
The crime scene
Owens left the building around an hour-and-a-half later, 'shielding' himself with an umbrella and wearing a face mask while carrying Carla's trainers and two bags.
Body discovered
Carla's body was found slumped against a wardrobe door with a belt around her neck at her University of Lancashire accommodation on February 5, 2026.
Initial police response
Police initially believed Carla's death was suicide but became suspicious after Owens 'lied' about his movements that night.
Owens' silence
Owens has declined to give evidence in his defense, with the trial judge telling jurors they were 'entitled' to hold his silence against him.
Prosecutor's closing remarks
Prosecutor Nicholas Lumley KC stated Carla 'had everything to live for' and was 'excitedly' buying clothes ahead of a trip to Romania.
Prosecutor's sexual motive
Lumley KC suggested Owens was motivated by 'to satisfy his sexual needs, come what may' after learning Carla planned to meet an online boyfriend.
Owens' alibi
Owens claimed he went to Preston to help Carla with incontinence pants and tidy her room before her trip to Romania.
Defense arguments
Defense argued Carla's death may have been suicide, citing 'scant sign of a struggle' and medical experts unable to rule out self-inflicted injuries.
Prosecutor's suicide note question
Lumley KC questioned why Carla left no suicide note despite writing and drawing extensively to express her emotions.
The verdict
Owens is accused of murdering his stepdaughter Carla Georgescu, 19, after allegedly strangling her following her refusal to engage in sexual acts.
Here's the gist
Stepfather Nathan Owens, 34, is accused of murdering his stepdaughter Carla Georgescu, 19, after allegedly strangling her following her refusal to engage in sexual acts.
