A new documentary detailing one of Britain's most shocking crimes has arrived on Netflix, prompting renewed reflection on the survivor's remarkable journey. 'The Chillenden Murders: Who Killed Lin and Megan?' revisits the tragic events of July 1996 that claimed the lives of a mother and daughter and left a young girl fighting for her life.
The Horrific Attack That Shocked the Nation
On a summer's day in 1996, 45-year-old Lin Russell and her two daughters, nine-year-old Josie and six-year-old Megan, were walking home along a country lane in Chillenden, Kent. They were returning from a school swimming gala when a man accosted them. The assailant tied up the family and their dog, Lucy, and attacked them with a hammer in a brutal and sustained assault.
Lin Russell, Megan Russell, and the family dog were killed. Miraculously, Josie Russell survived the attack but suffered catastrophic injuries. The killer was later identified and convicted as Michael Stone, who is currently serving three life sentences for the murders.
Josie Russell's Long Road to Recovery
Josie's survival came at a profound cost. She sustained severe head injuries that required extensive surgery, including the replacement of part of her skull with a titanium plate. Her speech and memory were significantly impaired, beginning a long and challenging journey of rehabilitation.
Following the attack, Josie moved with her father, Shaun Russell, back to North Wales, where the family had lived before relocating to Kent. In the safety and familiarity of the Welsh landscape, Josie gradually rebuilt her life. Against the odds, she made a full physical and cognitive recovery, a testament to her incredible resilience.
A New Life Filled with Art and Love in Wales
Today, Josie Russell has crafted a peaceful and fulfilling life far from the trauma of her childhood. She earned a degree in design and textiles from Bangor University and has flourished as a professional artist. Her work, inspired by the rugged beauty of the Welsh countryside, is sold online and exhibited in galleries.
In a powerful act of reclaiming her past, Josie used her trust fund and compensation from the Criminal Injuries Board to buy back her family's former home in Snowdonia in 2012. She told The Standard: "It just feels right here. I'm going home and I'll never leave."
She shares this home with her long-term fiancé, Iwan Griffith. The couple recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, having first met on New Year's Eve in 2005. Appearing on ITV's Lorraine, Josie summarised her outlook simply: "I've just got to get on with life and just carry on. I love my job, it's all fine. Happy."
The documentary that revisits the case, 'The Chillenden Murders: Who Killed Lin and Megan?', originally aired on Channel 5 and is now available for streaming on Netflix, introducing the story to a new global audience.
