Soham killer Ian Huntley has died in hospital after being attacked in the workshop of a maximum security prison.
The former school caretaker, who murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, had been kept on life support in hospital after being hit repeatedly over the head by an inmate armed with a metal bar.
Huntley (52) suffered severe brain trauma in the attack at HMP Frankland, Durham, on February 26th.
A ministry of justice spokesperson said: “The murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman remains one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation’s history, and our thoughts are with their families.”
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Huntley’s life support was reportedly switched off at lunchtime on Friday after brain tests showed he was in a vegetative state, and he was confirmed dead on Saturday.
The Sun newspaper said Huntley suffered severe brain trauma from the attack.
The attack left Huntley blind, the newspaper said.
Murderer and rapist Anthony Russell (43) reportedly shouted “I’ve done it, I’ve done it” after Huntley was attacked in the recycling area of the prison.
Durham police have not identified the suspect but said on the day of the attack that a man in his mid-40s had been detained.
Huntley murdered Holly and Jessica after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4th, 2002. He dumped their bodies in a ditch.
Huntley’s life sentence recommended he serve at least 40 years for the Soham murders.
Russell was sentenced to a whole-life tariff in 2021 for the murders of Julie Williams (58) and her son David Williams (32) at separate flats in Coventry, and pregnant Nicole McGregor (31), who was found in woodland near Leamington Spa three days later.
Russell also raped Ms McGregor. – PA
