Ian Huntley dies in prison after violent attack by fellow inmate

Ian Huntley, the man convicted of murdering two 10-year-old girls in 2002, has died in prison after being attacked by another inmate. His death follows a violent assault at HMP Frankland, where he was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years. An inquest will now determine the exact circumstances and date of his death.

Huntley was found guilty in 2003 for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. He lured the girls to his home in Soham, Cambridgeshire, before killing them and disposing of their bodies in a drainage ditch. Throughout his imprisonment, he faced repeated attacks from fellow inmates.

On this occasion, Huntley was beaten to death with a metal pole. Anthony Russell, another prisoner, has since been charged with his murder. The prison service typically offers up to £3,000 for funerals and memorials of inmates who die in custody. However, Huntley's family refused a state-funded service out of respect for his victims. A public petition against a taxpayer-funded funeral gathered over 405,000 signatures. As a result, no service or memorial will take place. His ashes will be given to his family instead.

The case will now proceed to an inquest to clarify the details of Huntley's death. His killer, Anthony Russell, awaits trial for the attack. Meanwhile, the decision to decline a state-funded funeral reflects the ongoing impact of Huntley's crimes on public opinion.