Wealthy Chelsea Heir Found Attempted Murder of Housekeeper

Maximillian Bourne, 26, attacked Joselia Pereira Do Nascimento in his family home amid claims of mental health issues.

Maximillian Bourne, a 26-year-old heir to a wealthy art collection, has been found to have attempted to murder his live-in housekeeper, Joselia Pereira Do Nascimento, during a violent incident in his Chelsea home on February 25 of the previous year.

The Southwark Crown Court jury concluded that Bourne attacked Ms. Nascimento with a kitchen knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to her head, face, and chest.

Subsequently, he attempted to strangle her.

During the attack, Ms. Nascimento managed to escape and barricade herself in an ensuite bathroom, where she called friends for help, expressing her belief that she was about to die.

In a harrowing moment, she recorded a farewell message to her daughter.

Bourne reportedly called emergency services himself, stating, "There’s a demon woman in my house and I stabbed her,” while pleading for the police to arrive without guns, identifying himself as 'a nice boy from Chelsea.' Upon hearing police audio, Ms. Nascimento recounted how Bourne exclaimed “this is because you are evil” as he pursued her.

The court was informed that prior to the incident, Bourne had lived alone with Ms. Nascimento for approximately three months while his mother traveled for work.

Though she had no indication of impending danger, Bourne unexpectedly summoned her to the kitchen and attacked without warning, holding onto her blouse as he stabbed her.

Following the assault, when she sought refuge in the bathroom, he continued to pursue her, eventually using both hands to strangle her.

Despite sustaining serious injuries, including wounds to her scalp, lip, eye socket, as well as damage to her chest and lungs, Ms. Nascimento ultimately managed to call for help.

Following Boune’s arrest, he informed his uncle that he had "stabbed the maid" and claimed she was "full of demons."

Bourne has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, leading the trial judge to announce that he was unfit to stand trial, thus raising questions about his mental health at the time of the attack.

He was unable to plead to the charges against him as he remains detained in a secure hospital.

Prosecutors presented evidence, including a recording of Bourne's call to emergency services, to substantiate the allegations.

As the trial concluded in under a day, the jury affirmed Bourne's involvement in the attempted murder.

Sentencing is scheduled for a forthcoming date, with strong indications that Bourne will continue to receive mental health treatment in a secure setting.

Background information revealed Bourne's familial connections, noting he is the offspring of prominent property developer Graham Bourne, and has historical ties to the Brazilian presidency through his great-great-grandfather, Epitácio Pessoa, who served from 1919 to 1922. His mother, Sylvia Bourne, is an art dealer and philanthropist.

Throughout the proceedings, Bourne exhibited signs of significant mental health distress, frequently expressing grandiose statements about his identity and social standing.