The Gruesome End of a Notorious Child Killer
Ian Huntley, the double child murderer whose crimes horrified the nation, has died at age 52, nine days after sustaining catastrophic injuries in a savage prison assault. The attack occurred at HMP Frankland, a high-security facility nicknamed 'Monster Mansion', where Huntley was serving a life sentence for the 2002 murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham.
A Brutal and Premeditated Assault
Prison sources have revealed chilling new details about the events leading to Huntley's death. According to reports, inmates in the segregated wing where Huntley was working knew "the attack was coming" and had discussed it the night before. The assault itself was described as "unbelievably savage" by those familiar with the incident.
Huntley was bending down to tie string onto a recycling crate when he was struck from behind with a metal pole, leaving him in a position similar to someone tying their shoelaces. The weapon had been produced from recycling materials within the prison workshop. The injuries sustained were devastating:
- Severe brain damage
- Multiple skull fractures
- A broken jaw
One visitor to the prison told reporters that Huntley had been "ripped apart like a rat" during the attack, while another source expressed astonishment that he survived the initial assault at all.
The Suspect and Prison Reaction
The alleged perpetrator, Anthony Russell—a convicted rapist and triple killer—reportedly shouted "I've done it!" to fellow inmates as he was taken away in handcuffs. When news of Huntley's death spread through the prison on Saturday, cheers were reportedly heard echoing through the cells.
Medical staff performed what was described as "miracles" to stabilize Huntley after the attack, placing him in a medically induced coma and on constant watch. However, his condition remained critical, with severe brain damage leaving even his mother struggling to recognize him.
Family Decisions and Reactions
A decision was made to withdraw life support on Friday night following consultation with Huntley's mother, Lynda Richards. Sources indicate she had previously told friends that "it's better if he doesn't pull through." The formal decision-making process was complicated by family dynamics—while Huntley's daughter Samantha Bryan was technically next of kin, she had never met her father and described him only as a monster.
Bryan expressed profound relief at her father's death, stating: "We should flush his ashes down the toilet." She believes he deserves neither a funeral nor a grave, adding that he is going to "burn in hell."
Aftermath and Arrangements
With no family members willing to claim his body, Huntley is expected to be cremated at a secret location in a £3,000 service funded by the state. Former Metropolitan Police superintendent Nusrit Mehab explained the formal proceedings: "If his family are the legal guardians, they can claim it. If he's put somebody else in as a representative, or made a will, then they become the legal claimants, and if nobody comes forward, then it falls on the public health authority to do it."
Prison sources have also revealed that the issue of Huntley's next of kin sparked family disagreements prior to his death. The attack has raised questions about security at HMP Frankland, with one source noting: "I'm amazed someone was able to get anywhere near him because he is usually really closely protected. They must have timed it when he wasn't with prison officers."
Huntley's death marks the end of one of Britain's most notorious criminal cases, though the memories of his victims and the impact of his crimes continue to resonate. The circumstances of his final days—including the premeditated nature of the attack and the reactions of both inmates and family members—add a disturbing postscript to an already tragic story.
