A fresh key suspect has surfaced in connection with the brutal killings of Lin and Megan Russell, according to recent reports. The tragic incident occurred in July 1996, as 45-year-old Lin and her six-year-old daughter Megan were violently attacked while strolling along a serene country lane near the village of Chillenden, Kent.
During the assault, the mother and her two young daughters were ambushed, bound, blindfolded, and viciously struck with a claw hammer. Tragically, the family’s pet dog also perished in the attack. Although nine-year-old Josie survived, she sustained severe head injuries.
In 1998, Michael Stone was convicted of two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with the case. Recently, it was disclosed that new DNA samples will be collected from Stone following a forensic review initiated by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
Recent reports have now linked deceased carpenter Ray Buck, who passed away in 2000, to the brutal murders. Allegedly, an eyewitness overheard Buck confessing on the day of the killings. One of Buck’s sons has offered to provide a DNA sample for testing, as reported by the Sun.
The CCRC has been contacted for a statement on this matter. This development comes after the CCRC confirmed plans to obtain a DNA sample from serial killer Levi Bellfield, who had previously claimed responsibility for the Russell murders. Bellfield made the confession during discussions with prison psychologists but later retracted his statement, with no corroborating evidence found to support his claims.
Additionally, a DNA sample has been taken from Stone, who maintains his innocence in the deaths of Lin and Megan Russell and the attack on Josie Russell. Stone was initially considered a suspect following an appeal on the BBC’s Crimewatch program, during which he indicated a lack of recollection regarding his whereabouts during the crimes.
Stone’s convictions were primarily based on the testimony of former prison inmate Damien Daley, who asserted that Stone had confessed to him while they were both in custody at HMP Canterbury, rather than on direct forensic evidence linking Stone to the crime scene.
Initially overturned on appeal in 1998 due to a key witness’s admission of falsehood, Stone was retried and found guilty again in 2001, largely based on Daley’s testimony.
