Levi Bellfield, described by the family of his most high-profile victim as 'truly heinous', is a serial killer convicted of murdering three young women and attempting to kill another. His victims include 13-year-old Milly Dowler, 19-year-old Marsha McDonnell, and 22-year-old Amelie Delagrange. He also tried to kill 18-year-old Kate Sheedy, who survived.
Bellfield was born on 17 May 1968 in Isleworth, London. He had two brothers and two sisters, and his father died from leukaemia when he was ten. He later fathered 11 children with five different women. Detectives described him as a 'cunning individual' who could switch from being charming to violent instantly.
During his trial for the murders of Miss McDonnell and Miss Delagrange in 2008, Bellfield claimed he had worked as a bouncer and later a wheel-clamper in south-west London. However, he also spent time stalking streets and attacking lone women near bus stops. Ex-girlfriends described a pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour, with one too frightened to move from a stool after an argument.
In 2011, Bellfield was convicted of murdering Milly Dowler and received a whole-life sentence. He later confessed to the crime, and in 2015, the Dowler family released details of how he repeatedly raped, tortured and strangled the schoolgirl. They stated that the full extent of his actions had not been revealed to the public.
Detectives believe Bellfield may be responsible for other attacks beyond those for which he has been convicted. Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton, who led the investigation into the murders of Miss McDonnell and Miss Delagrange, said: 'I fear we may have only scratched the surface.'
