Ian Huntley Died from Prison Attack Head Injury
Ian Huntley, the killer of two Soham schoolgirls, died as a result of a head wound sustained during a prison assault, according to an inquest. The 52-year-old was assaulted 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.
Coroner Suspends Further Inquiry
County Durham and Darlington senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield initiated an inquest into Huntley’s death, stating that the investigation would be paused until criminal charges were processed.
Anthony Russell, 43, faces murder charges related to Huntley’s death and is scheduled to appear in Newcastle Crown Court on 24 April.
Details of the Attack
During a brief hearing in Crook, County Durham, documents presented to the coroner indicated that Huntley was ‘struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner using a metal bar’.
The assault resulted in ‘severe head trauma’ that ultimately caused Huntley’s death on 7 March at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, as reported during the inquest.
Dr Jennifer Bolton, a forensic pathologist, conducted a post-mortem two days after the attack and determined the cause of death to be ‘blunt head injury’, the coroner noted.
Original Murders Context
In August 2002, the schoolgirls vanished after leaving a family barbecue in Soham. Authorities believe they were heading to purchase sweets when Huntley, then 28, lured them back to his residence and committed the murders.
Following their disappearance, the case captured national attention and triggered police appeals for information.
Their bodies were discovered in a ditch approximately two weeks after they went missing.
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