Boyfriend charged with murdering and raping girlfriend two years after body was found

A man has been charged with murdering his girlfriend almost 18 months after her body was found at their home.

Stephen Sexton, 37, was yesterday charged with killing and raping Joanna Derkacz, also 37.

The marine engineering worker had already been charged with two counts of coercive or controlling behaviour against her and has made several court appearances in relation to these.

The latest charges came after reports from experts following a post-mortem.

Ms Derkacz’s body was discovered at the couple’s home in Waterlooville, Hampshire on December 28, 2023.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: ‘Detectives investigating the death of 37-year-old Joanna Derkacz have charged a man with murder and rape.

‘We were called at 11.30am on Thursday 28 December 2023 to a report that Joanna’s body had been located inside a house on Nevinson Way in Waterlooville.

‘Detailed investigation has been undertaken to establish what happened and how Joanna died.

‘Expert evidence reports following a Home Office post-mortem have subsequently led to these charges being brought.

‘Stephen Edward Sexton, 37, of Cherrywood Gardens in Totton has been charged with murder and rape.’

After Ms Derkacz’s death her sister Arleta paid tribute to the ‘sweet angel’.

She wrote a poem that read: ‘If tears could build a stairway. Made from all the pain. I would walk right up to heaven. And bring her back again.

‘Lord, please take care of her. And I hope she will see. That she was such a special daughter, auntie, and sister to me.

‘We will love you always sweet angel.

‘You didn’t deserve this.

‘I’ll fight for the justice till my last breath.’

A fundraiser raised more than £12,000 to send Ms Derkacz back to Poland, where she was from. The recruitment consultant was buried in her home town of Czarne.

A vigil was held at her UK home on New Year’s Eve last year.

Friend Viola Signejeva described her death as ‘heartbreaking’ and called her an ‘amazing woman’.

She added: ‘I am happy to have known Jo not only as a colleague but also as a very good friend. She has always been a source of positivity, energy, and enthusiasm.

‘It’s too early for her. Rest in peace Jo. I miss you and send my deepest condolences to your family and friends.’

Sexton, a father of one, is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court today.

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