Ian Huntley died from prison attack head injury

Ian Huntley’s Death Linked to Prison Attack

An inquest revealed that Ian Huntley, the Soham murderer, died as a result of a head injury sustained during a prison assault. The 52-year-old was struck multiple times with a metal bar at HMP Frankland in Durham on 26 February, leading to his death nine days later at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Previously a school caretaker, Huntley was serving a life sentence, including a 40-year minimum term, for the 2002 murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. County Durham and Darlington senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield opened the inquiry, stating that further investigations would be paused until criminal charges were pursued.

Anthony Russell, 43, has been accused of causing Huntley’s death and is scheduled to appear in Newcastle Crown Court on 24 April. During the brief hearing in Crook, documents indicated Huntley was “struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner with an object described as a metal bar,” according to the coroner.

“The attack resulted in significant head injuries, from which Huntley succumbed on 7 March,” the inquest was told. Forensic pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton confirmed the cause of death as “blunt head injury” following a post-mortem examination two days later.

The schoolgirls vanished after leaving a family barbecue in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002. It is believed they were heading to purchase sweets when Huntley, then 28, lured them back to his residence. Their disappearance sparked nationwide media coverage and police appeals for information.

Two weeks after their disappearance, their bodies were discovered in a ditch. The case remains a notable part of the UK’s criminal history, with the prison incident adding a new chapter to Huntley’s story.