![\"Ian](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SEI_286851788-4add.jpg\")
\n\t\tIan huntley was attacked inside HMP Frankland in February (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tIan huntley was attacked inside HMP Frankland in February (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n
Soham killer Ian Huntley<\/a> died as a result of a blunt head injury, an inquest has heard.<\/p>\n Huntley, who was behind bars for\u00a0the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman<\/a>\u00a0in 2002, was attacked inside a workshop at HMP Frankland in February.<\/p>\n The 52-year-old died in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle<\/a> more than a week later, an inquest opening hearing was told today.<\/p>\n The inquest opening lasted less than five minutes, coroner\u2019s officer Bradley King reading: \u2018This 52-year-old male was born on January 31 in 1974 in Grimsby.<\/p>\n \u2018His last employment status and occupation is recorded as being a prisoner.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n \u2018He resided at HMP Frankland. He died on March 7 2026 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.<\/p>\n \u2018I understand the circumstances to be that Mr Huntley was struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner with an object described as a metal bar.<\/p>\n \u2018The assault left Mr Huntley with significant head injuries.\u2019<\/p>\n Mr King said Home Office<\/a> Pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton conducted a post mortem on March 9 and gave the cause of death as \u2018blunt head injury\u2019.<\/p>\n Huntley\u2019s body was formally identified on the day he died.<\/p>\n The inquest was told that a police investigation was underway and that Anthony Russell, 43, has been charged with murdering Huntley at the maximum security jail.<\/p>\n Mr Chipperfield adjourned the hearing until May 27 when there will have been an update in the criminal proceedings.<\/p>\n Russell will attend Newcastle<\/a> Crown Court on April 24 for a pre-trial preparation hearing.<\/p>\n Huntley was serving a life sentence for the 2002 murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.<\/p>\n The ex-school caretaker killed the best friends after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire<\/a>, on August 4 2002.<\/p>\n He dumped their bodies in a ditch 10 miles away.<\/p>\n They were not found for 13 days, despite a search involving hundreds of police.<\/p>\n At the time, Huntley lived with Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica\u2019s primary school.<\/p>\n He denied murdering the girls but was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2003. He was jailed for life with a recommended minimum term of 40 years.<\/p>\n Carr gave Huntley a false alibi and was jailed for 21 months for perverting the course of justice.<\/p>\n She is now living under a new identity.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow
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