Suspect marine engineer Stephen Sexton had already been accused of controlling Joanna Derkacz, described by family as a “sweet angel”, for 16 months prior to her death
A man has been charged with raping and murdering his girlfriend a year and a half after her body was found at their shared home just days after Christmas.
Stephen Sexton, 37, a marine engineer, was yesterday charged over the killing and rape of Joanna Derkacz, also 37. He had already been charged with two counts of coercive or controlling behaviour against her and has made a number of court appearances in connection. It was claimed that Sexton controlled Joanna for 16 months prior to her death. The pair had been in a relationship for three years in total.
The murder charges came after investigators carried out a post-mortem allegedly uncovering new evidence.
The victim’s body was found at the couple’s home in Waterlooville, Hampshire on December 28, 2023. A spokesperson for the Hampshire Constabulary 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.”
A fundraiser was set up, which raised more than £12,000 to send the victim’s body back home to Poland. She was buried in her hometown of Czarne.
The community was shocked with a number of “Justice for Joanna” marches held in her memory across Portmouth, carrying signs bearing slogans such as “enough is enough.”
Ms Derkacz’s heartbroken sister Arleta paid tribute to her in the aftermath of the killing. She described her sister as a “sweet angel”.
She also wrote a poem. It 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 vigil was held at her UK home on New Year’s Eve 2024, just over a year after her death. A friend of her’s – Viola Signejeva – described her death as “heartbreaking.”
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.”