Child Killer of Two 10-Year-Old Girls Dies After Inmate Attack in Prison
by Kim Eunha
Published 08 Mar.2026 09:48(KST)
Updated 08 Mar.2026 09:53(KST)
Ian Huntley Dies
"Investigation into Incident Underway"
Ian Huntley, 52, one of the most notorious child murderers in British history, is reported to have died after being attacked by a fellow inmate in prison.
According to The Guardian and other outlets on March 7 (local time), a spokesperson for Durham Police stated, "A man who was assaulted at HMP Frankland in Durham died this morning in hospital," adding that "an investigation into the circumstances is underway."
Huntley had been receiving treatment in hospital since he sustained serious head injuries on February 26 after being beaten with a metal bar in the prison workshop. He was reportedly killed by Anthony Russell, 43, who was serving a life sentence for serial murder and sexual assault.
On August 4, 2002, Huntley was sentenced to life imprisonment for luring Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both 10 years old at the time, to his home in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in eastern England, murdering them, and disposing of their bodies.
The murdered girls were students at the school where Huntley worked as a caretaker. They disappeared while on their way to buy candy after finishing a barbecue with their families.
Upon receiving the missing persons report, police launched the largest search operation in British history. Photos of the victims wearing Manchester United uniforms appeared daily in the media.
During the search, Huntley calmly gave interviews to the press, claiming he was likely the last person to see the girls. Two weeks later, the girls were found dead from asphyxiation in a drainage ditch, and Huntley was arrested together with his girlfriend Maxine Carr, who had fabricated an alibi for him.
It was later revealed that Huntley had a prior conviction for indecent assault of a minor before the murders. The case prompted institutional reforms in the UK, including the sharing of criminal records for sex offenders and child offenders, and restrictions on related employment.
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