Anthony Russell is a British murderer and convicted rapist who is currently serving a whole life order at HMP Frankland. In March 2026, he was charged with the murder of Ian Huntley — the infamous Soham killer — following an attack inside the high-security prison.
Who Is Anthony Russell?
Anthony Russell was born on 16 April 1982 and is from Coventry, West Midlands. He is a convicted murderer, rapist, and spree killer who received a whole life order — meaning he will never be released from prison — for a series of devastating crimes committed in October 2020. Russell became one of the relatively few prisoners in England and Wales to hold a whole life tariff, placing him among the most dangerous individuals in the UK prison estate.
What Did Anthony Russell Do?
In October 2020, Anthony Russell carried out a brutal series of murders in the West Midlands. He killed Julie Williams, her son David Williams, and Nicole McGregor during what prosecutors described as a violent and unprovoked attack. The nature of the killings shocked the courts, and the judge determined that Russell posed such an extreme and irreversible danger to the public that only a whole life order — the most severe sentence available under English law — was appropriate. A whole life order means there is no minimum term and no possibility of parole. Russell was also convicted of rape. He has been held at HMP Frankland, a Category A maximum security prison in County Durham, ever since.
The Murder of Ian Huntley
On 26 February 2026, Ian Huntley — convicted in 2003 for the murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham — was attacked in a workshop at HMP Frankland. He was struck with a metal bar and was transported to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for emergency treatment. Huntley died from his injuries on 7 March 2026, aged 52. Following a police investigation, Durham Police charged Anthony Russell, 43, with Huntley’s murder. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge on 10 March 2026.
Russell appeared at Teesside Crown Court via videolink from HMP Frankland on 12 March 2026, where the single charge of murder was formally put to him. A pre-trial preparation hearing was subsequently listed for 24 April 2026 at Newcastle Crown Court. Proceedings remain active, and Russell — like all defendants — holds a right to a fair trial. No guilty plea has been entered. Because Russell is already serving a whole life order for his previous murders, any conviction for the murder of Ian Huntley would not change his release prospects, as he has none.
What Happens Next?
Anthony Russell is expected to face a full criminal trial at Newcastle Crown Court. The pre-trial preparation hearing in April 2026 will set out the timetable for the case, determine what evidence will be heard, and address any procedural matters. Given that Russell is already subject to a whole life order, the outcome of any conviction would not alter his custodial status — he will remain in prison for the rest of his natural life regardless of the verdict. However, a conviction would formally record his guilt for the killing of Ian Huntley and form part of the legal record. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman may also conduct a separate investigation into the circumstances of the death in custody.
About HMP Frankland
HMP Frankland is a Category A high-security prison located near Durham, in the north of England. It houses some of the most dangerous convicted criminals in England and Wales, including individuals on whole life orders and those convicted of terrorism-related offences. Russell and Huntley were both held there prior to the February 2026 incident. If you have a family member in custody, you can learn how to book a prison visit or send money to a prisoner using our guides. You can also read more about what HMP Frankland is like in our dedicated prison profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Anthony Russell in prison?
Anthony Russell is in prison because he received a whole life order for the murders of Julie Williams, David Williams, and Nicole McGregor in October 2020, as well as a conviction for rape. A whole life order means he will spend the rest of his natural life in custody with no possibility of release.
Did Anthony Russell kill Ian Huntley?
Anthony Russell has been charged with the murder of Ian Huntley at HMP Frankland in February 2026. As of March 2026, proceedings are active and no trial date has yet been confirmed. Russell has a right to a fair trial and no guilty plea has been recorded.
What prison is Anthony Russell in?
Anthony Russell is held at HMP Frankland, a Category A high-security prison near Durham in the north of England. It is one of the most secure prisons in the country and houses some of the most dangerous convicted criminals in England and Wales.
What is a whole life order in the UK?
A whole life order is the most severe sentence available in England and Wales. It means the defendant does not receive a minimum term and has no prospect of release under any circumstances. It is reserved for the most serious categories of murder, such as those involving multiple victims or the killing of a child with a sadistic or sexual element.
Who was Ian Huntley?
Ian Huntley was a former school caretaker from Soham, Cambridgeshire. In August 2002, he murdered ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. He was convicted in 2003 and sentenced to a minimum 40 years in custody. He was held at HMP Frankland at the time of his death in March 2026.
