Ian Huntley died from prison attack head injury

Ian Huntley’s Death Linked to Prison Attack

An inquest revealed that the killer of Soham’s schoolgirls, Ian Huntley, succumbed to a head injury sustained during a violent assault at HMP Frankland. The attack occurred on 26 February and resulted in his death nine days later at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Coroner’s Statement on Death Investigation

County Durham and Darlington senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield opened the inquest, stating that further inquiry would be paused while criminal charges are pursued. Anthony Russell, 43, faces murder charges in connection with Huntley’s death and is scheduled to appear in court on 24 April.

“The deceased was struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner using an object described as a metal bar,” stated documents presented to the coroner during a brief hearing in Crook.

Dr. Jennifer Bolton, a forensic pathologist, confirmed the cause of death as “blunt head injury” following a post-mortem conducted two days after the incident.

Background on Huntley’s Crimes

Huntley, who was 28 at the time, murdered 10-year-old friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002. The girls were last seen leaving a family barbecue before vanishing, believed to be heading to a store for sweets. Their bodies were discovered in a ditch two weeks later, sparking national media coverage and police appeals for information.

Huntley received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for the double homicide. His death in prison has now shifted focus to the circumstances surrounding his final moments.

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram for more updates.