The inquest into the death of Soham murderer Ian Huntley has been formally suspended while criminal proceedings against a fellow inmate progress. Huntley, 52, died from severe head injuries sustained during an alleged assault with a metal bar at HMP Frankland, a high-security prison in County Durham.
Inquest Adjourned Pending Murder Trial
At a brief two-minute hearing at Crook Coroner's Court, coroner's officer Bradley King confirmed the suspension. Durham senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield adjourned the proceedings until September 15, pending an update on the criminal case. He stated: "A coroner must suspend an investigation if the coroner is aware a person has been charged with an indictable offence."
Anthony Russell, 43, who was also an inmate at Frankland, has been charged with Huntley's murder and is awaiting trial.
Details of the Attack
During a previous inquest hearing, Mr King read a statement outlining the circumstances of Huntley's death. He said: "This 52-year-old male was born on January 31 in 1974 in Grimsby. His last employment status and occupation is recorded as being a prisoner. He resided at HMP Frankland. He died on March 7 2026 at Royal Victoria Infirmary. I understand the circumstances to be that Mr Huntley was struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner with an object described as a metal bar."
The assault left Huntley with significant head injuries. He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and placed on a life support machine but died nine days later. A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Jennifer Bolton on March 9 gave a provisional cause of death as blunt head injury.
Background of the Soham Murders
Huntley was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison for the murders of 10-year-old Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in 2002. The girls disappeared after leaving a family barbecue to buy sweets. Huntley, the school caretaker, lured them into his home, which he shared with teaching assistant Maxine Carr. He initially acted as a Good Samaritan, speaking to the press during the two-week search, but was later arrested.
Following a six-week trial at the Old Bailey, he was convicted. He was first sent to Wakefield Prison before being transferred to HMP Frankland in 2008. Carr, 49, admitted perverting the course of justice and was jailed for three-and-a-half years. She was given a new identity upon release.
Secret Cremation
Earlier this month, reports emerged that Huntley had been cremated in secret without a funeral service or mourners. His body was released to the Prison Service and taken to a crematorium. His family was offered a £3,000 state-funded funeral but declined out of respect for the victims' families.
