Ian Huntley died from prison attack head injury

Ian Huntley died from head injury in prison attack

The inquest revealed that Ian Huntley, the man convicted of murdering two schoolgirls in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in 2002, succumbed to a severe head injury sustained during a violent altercation at HMP Frankland in Durham. The incident occurred on 26 February, when Huntley, then 52, was struck repeatedly with a metal bar by another inmate. He passed away nine days later at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Coroner suspends further inquiry

County Durham and Darlington senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield opened the investigation into Huntley’s death, noting that the ongoing probe would be paused until criminal charges are resolved. Anthony Russell, 43, faces murder charges related to the attack and is scheduled to appear in Newcastle Crown Court on 24 April.

Details of the prison assault

During a brief hearing in Crook, County Durham, the coroner was informed that Huntley was “struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner with an object described as a metal bar.” The injuries he sustained were deemed “significant,” leading to his death on 7 March. A post-mortem examination conducted by forensic pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton two days later confirmed the cause of death as “blunt head injury,” according to the inquest.

Two girls vanished after leaving a family barbecue in Soham in August 2002. It is believed they were heading to purchase sweets when Huntley, then 28, lured them back to his residence and killed them. Their disappearance triggered nationwide media attention and prompted police appeals for information. The bodies were discovered in a ditch two weeks later.

“The attack left Huntley with substantial head injuries from which he eventually died,” stated the coroner during the proceedings.

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