Was beach death black magic?

DETECTIVES investigating the death of a man on a Sussex beach are examining his strong links with the occult.

A murder inquiry is already underway into the death of father-of-three Derek Taylor, after his body was found on a beach at Rustington on Monday.

Police have now discovered Mr Taylor practised black magic and for many years lived with Alex Sanders, known as King of the Witches among his followers.

Mr Taylor shared homes for many years in Bexhill and Hastings with Mr Sanders, who died in May, 1988, aged 61.

He was said to have been devastated by Mr Sanders' death, which sparked fierce debate among Britain's Witchcraft Council of Elders over who would inherit the title King of the Witches. Mr Sanders had held the position for 25 years.

Those who knew him said Mr Taylor himself was a black-magic witch and was obsessed with life in outer space.

He built a huge pyramid in the front room of his St John's Road, Hastings, flat, which was adorned with occult memorabilia.

He also believed an alien life form would beam him up to a mystical planet named Ganymede.

He met Mr Sanders, who was married twice, in 1972 and went on to live with him in Bell Hill, Bexhill, and finally in St John's Road, Hastings.

White witch Kevin Carlyon, who knew Mr Taylor, said: "Derek was a very nice eccentric.

"He had very different beliefs to me because he was into black magic, but he was a nice chap.

"He and Alex were heavily into the occult. I know Derek was devastated when Alex died in 1998.

"They lived together for years, both in Bexhill and Hastings.

"We often had differences of opinion, but always got on well. The last time I saw him was three weeks ago in a shop near his home.

"I noticed he looked

quite ill. He walked with

a stick and was a very

tall man who often hunched over.

"He looked a little

bit like Boris Karloff."

The witches were active in the Hastings area.

In 1985 Mr Sanders cursed a production of the show Chu Chin Chow, staged by the Bexhill Light Opera and Dramatic and Dramatic Society, after his then wife quit as musical director. Mr Carlyon was called in to lift the curse.

Previously, Mr Sanders had been barred from giving a talk on the occult at a vicarage by the then Bishop of Chichester, Dr Roger Wilson.

Police were called at 2.15am on Monday after reports that a man had been seen running into the sea at Rustington.

There are reports that a symbol had been drawn in the sand before the incident.

A 30-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder inquiry, but later released on bail without charge.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen two men on the beach near the water at the time, to contact them.

Officers are also anxious to speak to the occupants of a red Vauxhall Cavalier seen with its lights full on and pointing at the sea at the time.

A statement issued by Sussex Police last night said: "We do not want to encourage speculation about this issue.

"Although we are clearly making detailed inquiries into Derek Taylor's background.

"We are talking to his former associates and family members."

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