Dempsey Nibbs, who killed partner in Hoxton, dies in Belmarsh aged 79

Dempsey Nibbs, who murdered his partner of 30 years in Hoxton, has died in prison. Nibbs, 79, was serving a life sentence at HMP Belmarsh for the 2014 killing of Judith Nibbs. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman confirmed his death on 26 July 2025 and has launched an investigation.

The killing and trial

Nibbs decapitated Judith Nibbs in their flat on Hoxton Street in April 2014. He later flushed her head down a toilet. The Old Bailey heard during his trial that Nibbs, a former crane driver, believed his partner was having affairs. Judith Nibbs worked for Hackney Council at the time of her death.

Nibbs claimed he acted in self-defence, telling the court he thought Judith Nibbs was a "snake". A jury rejected his defence. In 2016, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. The sentencing judge said Nibbs showed no remorse, stating he only regretted the impact on his own life.

Prison death investigation

Nibbs had been diagnosed with prostate cancer before his trial. His death at HMP Belmarsh on 26 July 2025 is now the subject of an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. The ombudsman’s office said it would examine the circumstances leading to his death but did not provide further details.

Judith Nibbs’ family have not commented publicly since the news of Nibbs’ death. Hackney Council, where she worked, has not issued a statement. The Metropolitan Police said it had no ongoing investigation into the case.

What happens next

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will publish its findings once the investigation is complete. The report will be made available to Judith Nibbs’ family and may be released publicly. No timeline has been given for its completion.