Double Killer Lee Peacock Dies Behind Bars
Lee Peacock, the ruthless double murderer who shocked the nation with a brutal two-day killing spree in 2021, has died in prison. The 53-year-old was serving a life sentence with a minimum of 39 years at HMP Long Lartin when he passed away on March 4, authorities confirmed. A Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigation is underway to uncover the cause of his death.
Brutal Marylebone Murders Stunned London
Peacock, a known career criminal and burglar, had just been released on licence after serving 40 months for aggravated burglary. Weeks later, on August 18, 2021, he slit the throat of his partner, 46-year-old Sharon Pickles, in her Marylebone flat. He concealed her bloodied body wrapped in a duvet while her bedridden flatmate, suffering from multiple sclerosis, remained unaware nearby.
The judge called the killing “dramatic and brutal,” noting Peacock acted in a jealous rage. The nightmare wasn’t over. The very next day, he launched a savage attack on 58-year-old Clinton Ashmore at a nearby flat, stabbing him nine times in the face, neck, and arm. Police described the scene as “horrifying,” with blood smeared across several rooms.
Fleeing Killer Caught After Bizarre Confession
Peacock fled the scene but made a chilling stop at his parents’ home in Wembley, where he confessed to Sharon’s murder—carrying her kitten in a rucksack. His father alerted police, who later found Peacock hiding in a boathouse on the Grand Union Canal, a known former drug den. He was arrested on August 25, 2021.
Refusing to attend his sentencing at the Old Bailey in February 2023, Peacock was convicted and told he would “likely die in prison.”
Families Pay Heartfelt Tributes
At sentencing, Justice Murray said:
“Even if you live a long life, there is a strong possibility that you will die in prison before you are eligible for release.”
The judge highlighted Peacock’s cold lack of remorse, the planned nature of Ashmore’s murder, and the fact Peacock was on licence during both killings.
Sharon Pickles’ family said:
“Our hearts are broken and she will be missed dearly. We finally have justice for our beloved daughter, sister and mother Sharon.”
Mr Ashmore’s family described him as a “pure and beautiful soul” and added:
“His kindness, wit, humour and gentleness stood out most, but more than anything, he was loved. His light was cruelly put out by someone who gave no thought or care to the impact of his actions.”
Peacock’s death closes the grisly chapter on one of London’s most harrowing double murder cases in recent memory.
