In a grim turn of events, Ian Huntley, one of Britain’s most infamous child murderers, has died following a brutal attack by a fellow inmate at a high-security prison. Huntley, aged 52, was serving a life sentence for the heinous murder of two young girls in 2003. He succumbed to his injuries after being struck multiple times on the head with a metal bar in the workshop of Frankland prison, located in northeast England, on February 26.
The tragic case that etched Huntley’s name into the annals of crime history involved the heartbreaking disappearance and murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both just 10 years old. The two best friends vanished without a trace from the village of Soham in eastern England on August 4, 2002, after leaving a barbecue to buy some candy.
Their disappearance sparked a nationwide manhunt that engulfed Britain in a wave of concern and hope. For nearly two weeks, police and the public clung to the possibility of finding the girls alive, as the search intensified.
A poignant photo of Holly and Jessica, clad in matching red Manchester United soccer shirts, became a haunting symbol of their plight, dominating front pages and news bulletins across the country. The community of Soham and beyond rallied in support, with thousands making pilgrimages to the village to pay their respects, leaving behind a sea of floral tributes at the local church.
A photo of the girls wearing matching red Manchester United soccer shirts, taken just before they disappeared, became a fixture of front pages and news broadcasts as detectives mounted a huge hunt.
Thousands visited Soham in an enormous outpouring of concern, leaving hundreds of bouquets outside the local church.
The search ended when a group of hikers discovered the girls’ remains beside a dirt path in a wooded area a few miles from the village.
“The murders of remains one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation’s history, and our thoughts are with their families,” the U.K. Ministry of Justice said in a statement.
Huntley denied murdering the two 10-year-olds, but was convicted after a trial at London’s Central Criminal Court in 2003.
His life sentence recommended he serve at least 40 years.
While in prison, Huntley survived repeated attempts on his life, and he was kept under close protection along with other notorious killers.
In one incident in 2010, his throat was slashed by another inmate.
At the time of the murders, Huntley lived with Maxine Carr, a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica’s grade school.
Carr gave Huntley a false alibi and was subsequently jailed for 21 months for perverting the course of justice.
She is now living under a new identity.
Huntley and Carr often spoke to reporters during the search for the girls.
Huntley had told them he thought he was one of the last people to see them alive, while Carr said she would always keep a card Holly had drawn for her.
British media have reported that murderer and rapist Anthony Russell, 43, was responsible for the attack that ultimately led to Huntley’s death.
Durham Constabulary are investigating the circumstances of the incident that led to Huntley’s death and a file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration for charges.
