The tragic death of 69-year-old film director Jennifer Abbott, known professionally as Sarah Steinberg, has shocked the London community.
Abbott was found stabbed to death at her home in Camden, London, with police now investigating the possible theft of an expensive Rolex watch, believed to be missing from her property.
The Discovery and Investigation
On June 13, 2025, the Metropolitan Police responded to a distress call at Abbott’s home and discovered her body with “stab injuries.” Despite efforts to save her, Abbott was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have confirmed that the cause of death was “sharp force trauma,” following a post-mortem examination carried out two days later.
Abbott, a well-known award-winning film director and actor, had been missing since June 10, the last time neighbors saw her walking her pet Corgi. Her niece and concerned neighbors eventually found her body after she had not been heard from for several days.
According to reports from the BBC and The Times, Abbott was discovered wrapped in a blanket on her bed, with tape covering her mouth. Her pet Corgi had also been locked in the bathroom for three days without food or water, and authorities described it as fortunate the dog had survived.
Missing Rolex and Potential Motive
While police are keeping an open mind regarding the motive behind Abbott’s murder, they are specifically investigating the potential theft of a luxury Rolex watch.
The watch, which features a “distinctive diamond-encrusted face,” is believed to be missing from Abbott’s home. Detectives are urging anyone with information about the watch’s whereabouts or any other details related to the case to come forward.
Abbott’s Career and Personal Life
Jennifer Abbott, under her professional name Sarah Steinberg, was best known for directing the 2010 documentary War of the Gods, which explored themes of religion.
She had an illustrious career in the film industry, attending various events and collaborating with notable figures such as Kate Hudson, Paris Hilton, and Dan Aykroyd, as seen in photos on her social media.
Reports also revealed that Abbott had been recently diagnosed with stomach cancer and may have undergone surgery before her death. The motive behind the murder remains unclear, but her health condition and the missing luxury item may provide clues as the investigation continues.
Community Shock and Police Appeal
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart of the Camden Police has called Abbott’s death “awful” and emphasized the need for any information that could help solve the case. “It’s incredibly important that we hear from anyone who may have knowledge about how this awful death occurred,” Stewart said in a statement.
“Someone must have seen or heard something, and no piece of information is too small. It could be the crucial clue that leads us to identify Jennifer’s murderer.”
At this time, no arrests have been made in connection with Abbott’s murder, and authorities continue to search for answers while providing extra patrols in the Camden area.
The loss of Jennifer Abbott has left a profound impact on her family, the film industry, and the London community. As police work tirelessly to uncover the truth, they urge anyone with relevant information to come forward in the hopes of bringing her killer to justice.
