Ian Huntley, one of UK’s most notorious child killers, has died, days after being attacked in prison
LONDON (AP) — One of Britain’s most notorious child killers died Saturday, just days after he was attacked by a fellow inmate in the workshop of a maximum-security prison.
Former school caretaker Ian Huntley, 52, who was convicted of murdering two 10-year-old girls in 2003, was on life support after being repeatedly hit in the head with a metal bar at Frankland prison in north-east England on February 26.
The murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman stunned Britain for two weeks after their best friend disappeared after leaving a barbecue to buy sweets in the village of Soham in eastern England on August 4, 2002.
Police searched for the couple for 13 days, hoping they might be alive. A photo of the girls wearing matching red Manchester United football jerseys, taken just before they disappeared, became a fixture on front pages and news broadcasts as detectives launched a massive hunt.
Thousands of people visited Soham with great trepidation and left hundreds of bouquets outside the local church.
The search ended when a group of hikers found the girls’ remains next to a dirt road in a wooded area a few miles from the village.
“The murders are one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation’s history and our thoughts are with their families,” the UK Ministry of Justice said in a statement.
Huntley denied killing two 10-year-old boys, but was found guilty following a trial at London’s Central Criminal Court in 2003. A life sentence required him to serve at least 40 years in prison.
While in prison, Huntley survived multiple assassination attempts and was kept under close guard along with other notorious murderers. In a 2010 incident, his throat was slit by another inmate.
At the time of the murders, Huntley was living with Holly and Maxine Carr, a teacher’s assistant at Jessica’s primary school. Carr gave Huntley a false alibi and was subsequently sentenced to 21 months in prison for perverting the course of justice. He now lives with a new identity.
Huntley and Carr frequently spoke to reporters while searching for the girls. Huntley told them he thought he was one of the last people to see them alive, while Carr said he would always keep the card Holly drew for him.
British media reported that murderer and rapist Anthony Russell (43) was responsible for the attack that led to Huntley’s death.
Durham Constabulary is investigating the circumstances of the incident that led to Huntley’s death and a file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charges.
