A new Netflix documentary has thrust one of Britain's most harrowing crimes back into the spotlight, prompting many to ask: where is Josie Russell now, nearly three decades later?
The Chillenden Murders: Who Killed Lin and Megan? has landed on the streaming platform and swiftly entered its top 10, revisiting the tragic events of July 1996.
The Horrific Attack That Shocked the Nation
On a summer's day in 1996, in the quiet Kent village of Chillenden, the lives of the Russell family were shattered. Lin Russell, 45, and her two daughters, nine-year-old Josie and six-year-old Megan, were walking their dog, Lucy, down a country lane.
They were approached by a man who tied them up and bludgeoned them with a hammer. The attack claimed the lives of Lin, Megan, and the family dog. Miraculously, Josie survived, albeit with catastrophic head injuries.
Josie Russell's Remarkable Journey of Recovery
Following the traumatic incident, Josie and her father, Shaun Russell, moved back to North Wales, to the Gwynedd area where they had lived before moving to Kent.
Defying the odds, Josie pursued her education and graduated with a degree in design and textiles from Bangor University. She has since forged a successful career as an artist, selling her distinctive work through online platforms and at exhibitions.
In a significant personal milestone, Josie used her trust fund and compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in 2012 to repurchase her childhood home in Snowdonia. She now shares the property with her fiancé, Iwan Griffith.
Josie recently revealed on Instagram that she and Iwan have been a couple for an impressive 20 years, marking a life rebuilt on foundations of resilience and love.
Justice and Ongoing Controversy
The man convicted of the murders, Michael Stone, was arrested in 1997 and handed three life sentences. He has consistently maintained his innocence.
Despite a second appeal being rejected by the courts in 2005, Stone continues to protest his conviction from prison, a point of contention that the Netflix documentary is likely to explore.
The story of Josie Russell remains a powerful testament to human survival. From a little girl who endured unimaginable violence, she has grown into a talented artist, creating a peaceful and fulfilling life far from the lane in Chillenden where her childhood was brutally stolen.
