Strange behaviour patterns Killer’s movements and moods
Thursday Feb 7 Lewis-ranwell steals a drill and lets animals out of their pens at a farm in Ilfracombe, North Devon. Witnesses say he shows signs of mental illness. Later, he is seen acting strangely in the Castle Inn pub in Combe Martin. He becomes abusive and police are called. He is offered a lift but refuses.
Friday Feb 8 Breaks into a farm building near Combe Martin and releases a pony. He is arrested but declines a mental health assessment. His mother expresses grave concerns about him being released.
Saturday Feb 9 Lewis-ranwell is released and taken to a hostel for the homeless in Barnstaple. Two hours later, he threatens staff and leaves. Travels to a farm at Goodleigh, where he attacks farmer John Ellis with a rusty saw. As he is arrested, he tries to grab an officer’s Taser.
Saturday Feb 9 3pm Police make a triage call to Devon Mental Health Trust which says he has potential psychotic symptoms. 6.30pm A doctor carries out an assessment but concludes that Lewis-ranwell is not
showing any signs of psychosis. Doctor recommends he is seen by a mental health nurse before release, but this is not done.
Sunday Feb 10 9.32am Lewisranwell is released and takes a taxi 60 miles to Haldon Hill near Exeter. The driver drops him off near Crediton. Lewis-ranwell makes his way to Exeter’s main St David’s railway station. A few hundred yards from the station, he spots a written sign on the front door of Tony Payne’s rented home asking for a new place to live. He walks in and kills him. He then wanders to another part of the city, one and a half miles away, where he spots another rundown premises. He goes inside and attacks and kills the Carter twins. Later, he visits three pubs in the village of Ide having strange conversations with customers. He later sleeps rough in Exeter city centre.
Monday Feb 11 5am He attacks three staff at the Rougement Hotel. He is Tasered by police and arrested. He is assessed and transferred to a psychiatric unit in Exeter. Meanwhile, CCTV images in the city link him to the killings.