Ian Huntley, convicted of murdering two young girls in 2002, has died at age 52 following an assault in a maximum-security prison. The former school caretaker was placed on life support after being struck repeatedly with a metal bar on February 26. Authorities are investigating the incident that led to his death.
Ian Huntley passed away on Saturday while on life support at Frankland prison in northeast England. The 52-year-old had been attacked in the prison workshop by another inmate, who hit him over the head multiple times with a metal bar. British media reports identify the attacker as Anthony Russell, a 43-year-old convicted murderer and rapist.
Huntley gained notoriety for the 2002 killings of 10-year-old Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. The girls, best friends from the village of Soham in eastern England, disappeared on August 4 after leaving a barbecue to buy candy. They were last seen wearing matching red Manchester United soccer shirts, an image that appeared widely in media coverage during the intense 13-day search.
Police efforts drew national attention, with thousands visiting Soham to show support and leaving bouquets at the local church. The search concluded tragically when hikers found the girls' remains in a wooded area several miles from the village.
At trial in London's Central Criminal Court in 2003, Huntley denied the murders but was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 40 years. During his incarceration, he faced several attempts on his life, including a 2010 incident where his throat was slashed by another prisoner. He was held under close protection alongside other high-profile inmates.
Huntley lived with Maxine Carr, a teaching assistant at the girls' school, at the time of the crimes. Carr provided him with a false alibi and was imprisoned for 21 months for perverting the course of justice. She now lives under a new identity.
During the initial search, Huntley and Carr spoke to reporters; he claimed to be among the last to see the girls alive, while she mentioned keeping a card from Holly.
The U.K. Ministry of Justice described the murders as "one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation's history," adding that thoughts remain with the families.
Durham Constabulary is examining the circumstances of the attack, preparing a file for the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charges.
