Samantha Bryan, the daughter of notorious Soham murderer Ian Huntley, has spoken out with stark relief following her father's death, declaring that his ashes should be "flushed down the toilet" and asserting that "the devil is waiting" for him. Huntley, who was serving a life sentence for the 2002 murders of ten-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, died after a brutal prison attack where he was bludgeoned with a spiked metal pole.
Daughter's Harsh Words on Funeral and Grave
In an interview with The Sun on Sunday, Samantha Bryan made it clear that Huntley does not deserve the dignity of a funeral or a grave. She stated, "He shouldn't have the dignity of a funeral and grave. I will not be going. A funeral is pointless for a man like him." She elaborated that funerals are meant to celebrate a life, but there is nothing about Huntley to celebrate, and she wants people to forget him entirely to avoid any "twisted respect" from others.
Mother's Agreement and Family Background
Her mother, Katie Bryan, 45, echoed these sentiments, calling Huntley a "monster" and stating that a Christian burial is reserved for good people, while he is "the devil." Samantha is Huntley's only child, born after Katie was seduced by him when she was just 15 years old. Katie endured rape and abuse from Huntley, including being pushed down the stairs while pregnant, before leaving him. Samantha only discovered Huntley was her father at age 14 upon seeing a pixilated photo of herself online.
Details of the Fatal Prison Attack
Huntley died at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary after being attacked on February 26 in a waste management workshop at HMP Frankland. According to reports, he was hit multiple times in the head with a metal bar, suffering catastrophic skull injuries. A woman who visited the prison described him as being "ripped apart like a rat." Triple murderer Anthony Russell, 43, is suspected of leading the assault, with prisoners allegedly cheering him on as he was led away in handcuffs.
Medical and Legal Aftermath
The Ministry of Justice confirmed Huntley's death, noting that security around him had been downgraded after doctors determined he would not survive his coma. A police investigation into the incident is ongoing, with a file being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service. Huntley's mother, Lynda Richards, traveled to his bedside but confessed that "part of me hopes he dies" due to the multiple attacks he faced in prison.
Historical Context of Huntley's Crimes
Huntley was convicted in 2003 for luring Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman into his home in Soham, Cambridgeshire, where he murdered them and dumped their bodies. He received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years. His then-fiancée Maxine Carr was jailed for providing a false alibi. The case sparked a major inquiry into police vetting failures, as Huntley had a history of sex allegations that were not properly addressed.
Previous Prison Attacks and Notoriety
This was the third attack on Huntley in prison, following incidents in 2005 and 2010 where he was assaulted by other inmates. He was known for provocative behavior, such as wearing a Manchester United-style shirt that taunted his victims. HMP Frankland, often called "Monster Mansion," houses some of Britain's most dangerous criminals, including sex offenders and terrorists, with segregated wings to protect vulnerable inmates.
The deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman remain one of the nation's most shocking cases, with their families' grief enduring over two decades. As Huntley's daughter Samantha concludes, there is no place for him in heaven, only a fate awaited by the devil.
