A coroner has provided an update on the investigation into the death of Ian Huntley, the convicted child killer. Huntley, aged 52, sustained fatal head injuries in an assault involving a metal bar at HMP Frankland, where he was serving a life sentence for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Despite being placed on life support, Huntley passed away nine days later.
The inquest into Huntley’s death has been put on hold as criminal proceedings are ongoing. Another inmate at Frankland, Anthony Russell, aged 43, has been charged with Huntley’s murder and is set to stand trial.
Durham senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield postponed the hearing at Crook coroners’ court until September 15 pending further developments. Huntley, who was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years for the murders in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in 2002, deceived the public and the families of the victims before being apprehended.
Following his conviction, Huntley was transferred to Frankland from Wakefield prison in 2008. Meanwhile, Maxine Carr, the accomplice who misled authorities after the murders, served a prison term for perverting the course of justice and was given a new identity upon release.
In a recent inquest session, details of Huntley’s demise were disclosed, indicating that he succumbed to severe head injuries sustained during the assault. Reports have emerged stating that Huntley was cremated privately without a formal service or attendees, with his family declining a state-funded funeral as a mark of respect for the victims’ families.
