Tributes paid to pensioners as inquest opens into triple Exeter murders
The three pensioners were brutally killed hours apart in their own homes during frenzied attacks, joint inquests have heard.
Last updated 21st Sep 2026
Tributes have been paid to three elderly Exeter men who were brutally killed in their own homes by Alexander Lewis-Ranwell, as an inquest-led jury opens.
In 2019, North Devon's Lewis-Ranwell of no fixed abode, was later found not guilty by reason of insanity, having been twice released from police custody in the days before.
The jury-led inquest is expected to last seven weeks and relates to October 2019 when - after being detained and released twice in the previous days at Barnstaple police station over the 9th and 10th - Alexander Lewis-Ranwell travelled to Exeter and killed Anthony Payne, 80, and twins Dick and Roger Carter, both 84.
In his opening summary, Senior Coroner Philip Spinney described how witnesses had described Lewis-Ranwell, now 35, as 'weird' and 'mental' after police were called about incidents relating to theft and releasing animals - even attacking someone with a sword.
The court was told during the second detention Lewis-Ranwell damaged three police cells causing him to be moved - and even grabbed at an officer's taser during the detention process.
After his second release from detention, Lewis-Ranwell attempted to catch a taxi to Haldon Hill, but was dropped at Copplestone after he had become 'threatening' before catching a train to Exeter and heading to Bonhay Road where he killed the first of the three elderly men.
Anthony Payne, 80, died from blunt force trauma, with Dick and Roger Carter, 84, being killed with a spade through head injuries in Cowick Lane.
The jury heard between the first and then following killings Lewis-Ranwell was reported at a church grounds demanding keys and at the city's University where he was 'pretending to be a police officer' until staff called police and he left.
Lewis-Ranwell was detained by police for a third time at the Exeter Rougemont Hotel the next morning after another incident - and from there the true scale of his offending came to light.
What tributes were paid today?
In pen portraits, the jury were today told Dick and Roger 'cared for and supported one another' throughout their lives and 'barely spent a day apart', 'living as they'd entered the world, together'.
The jury heard their mother only found out she was having twins after the first arrived - a story she enjoyed regaling her family with.
Both men were described as 'gentle, kind, considerate men' and their wider family enjoyed 'large and lively' Christmases at the family home where they lived with their mother. Both men worked for the family mushroom business, in different roles reflecting their different personalities, as they worked to supply local restaurants.
Mr Payne, who spent his early life in care, was said to be close to one of his sisters - who was left with a 'significant impact', after they had worked to keep close ties throughout their lives.
The lifelong Exeter City fan, known as 'Uncle Tony' was described as someone who 'enjoyed the pub and a quiet pint with friends'. He was also described as an 'animal lover' who 'enjoyed simple pleasures in life'.
The jury were told he was killed whilst tending to his three cats, whilst in the process of relocating - and after a 'difficult start to life' that his 'life ended abruptly' which 'completely contrasted to the quiet life he lived'.
What evidence was heard on the opening day?
The scheduled seven-week inquest-led jury started hearing evidence from the deputy sergeant - or number two from the police major crime team - who remained involved in the investigation from the start and later gave evidence at the trial.
The jury heard that Lewis-Ranwell had moved from Kent and attended West Buckland School, where he had been a promising student and had interests in kite surfing and polo - later spending time abroad in France as a snowboard instructor.
Evidence of a dangerous driving conviction was also outlined, following a prolonged high-speed chase as well as growing family tensions as a result of cannabis use.
The jury heard Lewis-Ranwell was also detained in 2016 and 2017, in one case being given a caution for starting a fire in a mental health facility.
The jury were shown police officer recordings of asking Lewis-Ranwell to leave a pub in the days before, even offering him a lift afterwards - with Lewis-Ranwell pretending he hadn't stolen a bike, which the same officers were later told had been reported missing.
One officer later even remarked 'he's going to cause mayhem'.