Ian Huntley, the former school caretaker convicted of murdering 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in 2002, has died in hospital after being attacked at HMP Frankland. He was 52.
Huntley was attacked in a workshop at the maximum security prison in County Durham on 26 February, sustaining severe brain trauma. Reports suggest he was assaulted with a spiked metal pole. He was taken off life support on Friday after his condition deteriorated.
The murders of Holly and Jessica in August 2002 sparked one of the largest manhunts in British criminal history. Their bodies were found 13 days later in a ditch near an RAF base. Huntley became a suspect after his behaviour raised suspicions, and evidence including charred pieces of the victims' clothing was found at his workplace.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'The murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman remain one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation’s history, and our thoughts are with their families.' Durham Constabulary confirmed that a police investigation into the incident is ongoing and a file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service.
Huntley was serving two life sentences for the murders. His former partner, Maxine Carr, served half of a 42-month sentence for perverting the course of justice. HMP Frankland houses several high-profile inmates, including Michael Adebolajo, Levi Bellfield, and Wayne Couzens.
