This chilling case revolves around Steve Sansom, 45, and Gemma Watts, 49, a couple whose sadomasochistic relationship culminated in the brutal murder and dismemberment of Sarah Mayhew, a 38-year-old mother of two. Captured on CCTV, the couple transported Sarah’s remains in a suitcase through South London under the cover of darkness. The gruesome details of the case were revealed in court, including Sansom’s purchase of hacksaw blades used to dismember the victim. Sarah’s remains were discovered in two locations: parts were found in Rowdown Fields, Croydon, and her torso was later recovered from the River Wandle. Sansom received a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released from prison, while Watts was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years.
This is Sansom’s second life sentence, having previously been convicted of murder in 1999. Their relationship was described as intensely sadomasochistic, with disturbing conversations about death and shared fantasies of killing and cannibalism. Text messages revealed their morbid desires, including graphic discussions of sex involving blood and the consumption of human flesh. Watts even drafted a note absolving Sansom
