Ian Huntley died from prison attack head injury

Ian Huntley Died from Prison Attack Head Injury

An inquest confirmed that Ian Huntley, the convicted killer from Soham, died as a result of a head injury sustained during a prison assault. The 52-year-old was attacked multiple times with a metal bar at HMP Frankland in Durham on 26 February and passed away nine days later at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Huntley, formerly a school caretaker, was serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum term for the 2002 murders of 10-year-old friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. The coroner, Jeremy Chipperfield, opened the inquest and stated that further investigations would be paused until criminal charges were pursued.

A summary of the brief hearing in Crook, County Durham, indicated Huntley was “struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner with an object described as a metal bar.” The injury led to “significant head trauma,” which proved fatal on 7 March, according to the inquest.

Forensic pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton conducted a post-mortem examination two days after the death and concluded the cause was “blunt head injury,” the coroner was informed.

The two girls vanished following a family barbecue in Soham in August 2002. They were believed to be heading to purchase sweets when Huntley, then 28, lured them back to his residence and killed them. Their disappearance triggered nationwide media coverage and prompted police appeals for information.

Their remains were discovered in a ditch two weeks after they went missing. The case against Huntley remains active, with Anthony Russell, 43, charged in connection with his death and set to appear in court on 24 April.