Ian Huntley is dead, killed in a prison attack at HMP Frankland in February 2026. The convicted Soham murderer was attacked by fellow inmate Anthony Russell on 26 February and died on 7 March after his life support was switched off. Russell, 43, has since been charged with Huntley’s murder and is awaiting trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Who Was Ian Huntley?

Ian Huntley was a convicted double murderer, serving a life sentence for the killings of ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in the Cambridgeshire village of Soham in August 2002. He was convicted at the Old Bailey in December 2003 and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2005, a minimum term of 40 years was set, meaning he would not have been eligible for parole until 2042. Huntley was 52 years old at the time of his death.

Since 2008, Huntley had been held at HMP Frankland, a Category A high-security prison in County Durham. He had previously been the subject of several violent attacks while in custody, including a throat-slashing by fellow inmate Damien Fowkes in 2010 and an earlier scalding attack at HMP Wakefield.

The Attack at HMP Frankland

On 26 February 2026, Ian Huntley was attacked in a workshop at HMP Frankland. According to reports, fellow inmate Anthony Russell struck Huntley repeatedly with a spiked metal pole, causing catastrophic head injuries. Reports indicate that part of the bar became lodged inside Huntley as a result of the assault. Huntley was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where he was placed on life support.

Durham Police and the Prison Service launched an investigation immediately. HMP Frankland is one of the most secure Category A establishments in England and Wales, housing some of the country’s most dangerous convicted criminals. The circumstances of how the attack was able to take place in a prison workshop are subject to ongoing scrutiny.

Ian Huntley Death

Ian Huntley died on 7 March 2026 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, the day after his life support machine was switched off. He was 52 years old. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Huntley’s death provoked widespread reaction across the UK, given the notoriety of his crimes. The families of his victims, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, had not made any public statement at the time of writing. Media coverage has been extensive, with many noting that Huntley had previously survived multiple attempts on his life during his more than two decades behind bars.

Who Is Anthony Russell?

Anthony Russell, 43, is a convicted triple murderer from Coventry. In 2020, Russell murdered Julie Williams, her son David Williams, and Nicole McGregor, whom he raped before killing. Her body was left in woodland near Leamington Spa. For these three killings, Russell received a whole life order, meaning he will never be eligible for release. To understand more about what a life sentence means in the UK, see our full guide.

Because Russell was already serving a whole life order when the alleged attack on Huntley took place, any additional murder conviction would be added to a sentence from which he was already never going to be released. His alleged motive for attacking Huntley has not been confirmed by authorities and remains a matter for the criminal trial.

Court Proceedings

Anthony Russell was charged with the murder of Ian Huntley following authorisation by the Crown Prosecution Service. Russell appeared at Teesside Crown Court via videolink from HMP Frankland on 12 March 2026 for a brief ten-minute preliminary hearing. He was not asked to enter a plea. A pre-trial preparation hearing has been set for 24 April 2026 at Newcastle Crown Court.

The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that proceedings are active and that Anthony Russell has the right to a fair trial. No trial date has yet been set. The murder charge is an allegation at this stage, and Russell has not yet had the opportunity to enter a formal plea or present any defence.

For those with friends or family held at Category A establishments, you can find information on how to book a prison visit on our dedicated page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ian Huntley dead?

Yes. Ian Huntley died on 7 March 2026 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. He had been placed on life support following a serious assault at HMP Frankland on 26 February 2026 and died the day after his life support was switched off.

Who killed Ian Huntley in prison?

Anthony Russell, 43, has been charged with the murder of Ian Huntley. Russell is a convicted triple murderer already serving a whole life order when the alleged attack took place. He has not yet entered a plea and criminal proceedings remain active.

Which prison was Ian Huntley in when he was attacked?

Ian Huntley was held at HMP Frankland, a Category A high-security prison in County Durham, at the time of the attack. He had been held there since 2008 following previous violent incidents at other establishments.

What sentence was Anthony Russell already serving?

Anthony Russell was already serving a whole life order for the murders of Julie Williams, David Williams, and Nicole McGregor in 2020. A whole life order means he will never be released from prison, regardless of any further convictions.

What was Ian Huntley jailed for?

Ian Huntley was convicted in December 2003 for the murders of ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002. He was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years and had been in custody for over two decades at the time of his death.