Lorraine Cox murder: man guilty

Azam Mangori had denied killing

A jury at Exeter Crown Court has found a man guilty of murdering Exeter woman Lorraine Cox.

Ms Cox, 32, went missing after a night out in Exeter on 1 September last year.

Azam Mangori, 24, had denied killing her, but admitted preventing her lawful burial. He claimed she died on the floor of his flat after he met her on a night out.

The court heard how he killed Miss Cox in his room above a kebab shop after homing in on her as she walked alone through the city centre in the early hours.  

Mr Mangori used his victim’s phone SIM card and Facebook account to pose as her in an attempt to dupe her family and friends into thinking she was safe. He was caught on CCTV making several shopping trips to buy bin bags, plastic sheeting and tape in the days after Miss Cox’s death.

He later dismembered Miss Cox's body and disposed of her body parts in bin bags that he bought following the murder. 

Lorraine Cox was 32 when she was murdered by Azam Mangori

Helen Phillips, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Azam Mangori killed Lorraine Cox then callously disposed of her body, faking messages to maintain the lie that she was still alive and giving false hope to her family and friends. He continued his lies throughout the investigation and trial, and still refuses to reveal the location of her remains.

“This was a complex case which saw the police and CPS working closely together from an early stage of the investigation. Huge amounts of forensic and digital evidence were analysed and the investigation led overseas to Iraq and Germany. Thanks to the excellent work of Devon and Cornwall Police, the CPS were able to build a compelling case that led to today’s guilty verdict.

“The CPS and police are committed to working together to deliver justice for the victims of violent crime. Our thoughts are with Lorraine’s family and friends at this difficult time”.

On Thursday, a unanimous guilty verdict was returned by the jury, after considering the evidence for just over a day at the end of a five-week trial.

The Women’s Equality Party in Exeter issued a statement following the conviction, saying it "is relieved that Lorraine Cox’s murderer has been found guilty. Our thoughts are with Lorraine's family and friends at this time. Every woman knows the impossibility of staying safe in a society where men are routinely absolved of the consequences of their actions in causing harm to women. We call on all men to take responsibility for their own behaviour, and for ending violence against women and girls to be made a political and policing priority in Exeter and across Devon." 

Originally from the Kurdish region of Iraq, Mr Mangori was in Devon illegally and making a failed asylum attempt in 2017. He will return to court for sentencing next Wednesday.