Since Maxine Carr was released from prison in 2004 with a new identity, several innocent women have been mistakenly identified as her, leading to harassment, attacks, and severe psychological trauma. Carr, who served 21 months for perverting the course of justice by providing a false alibi for her boyfriend Ian Huntley, remains one of the few UK prisoners shielded by lifelong anonymity.
One victim, Karen Meek, moved to Coleraine, Northern Ireland, to start a new life but was falsely accused of being Carr. She told the BBC in 2006 that her life became a 'nightmare' after police warned her of the mistaken identity. Her husband's van was damaged, and strangers came to her door. Meek attempted suicide and was admitted to a psychiatric ward, according to her husband.
Meek emphasised she bears no resemblance to Carr, noting differences in hair colour, eye colour, and build. 'I'm a size 18, for goodness sake,' she said. Other women have also come forward in a 2008 Channel 4 documentary, describing the devastating impact of being wrongly identified as Carr.
Huntley, who murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, died in hospital on 7 March 2026 after being attacked by a fellow inmate at HMP Frankland. His death reignited public interest in Carr, who is believed to have relocated to multiple safe houses, married, and had a child. Despite her protected identity, speculation continues to fuel mistaken identifications.
