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  "path": "/2026/04/14/ian-huntley-died-after-being-hit-multiple-times-in-the-head-with-a-metal-bar-27972580/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-14T11:25:18.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "UK",
    "Crime News",
    "Death",
    "Ian Huntley",
    "the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman",
    "Newcastle",
    "News Updates",
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    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
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  "textContent": "Ian huntley was attacked inside HMP Frankland in February (Picture: PA)\n\nSoham killer Ian Huntley died as a result of a blunt head injury, an inquest has heard.\n\nHuntley, who was behind bars for the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, was attacked inside a workshop at HMP Frankland in February.\n\nThe 52-year-old died in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle more than a week later, an inquest opening hearing was told today.\n\nThe inquest opening lasted less than five minutes, coroner’s officer Bradley King reading: ‘This 52-year-old male was born on January 31 in 1974 in Grimsby.\n\n‘His last employment status and occupation is recorded as being a prisoner.\n\n##  Sign up for all of the latest stories\n\nStart your day informed with Metro's **News Updates** newsletter or get **Breaking News** alerts the moment it happens.\n\n‘He resided at HMP Frankland. He died on March 7 2026 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.\n\n‘I 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.\n\n‘The assault left Mr Huntley with significant head injuries.’\n\nMr King said Home Office Pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton conducted a post mortem on March 9 and gave the cause of death as ‘blunt head injury’.\n\nHuntley’s body was formally identified on the day he died.\n\nThe 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.\n\nMr Chipperfield adjourned the hearing until May 27 when there will have been an update in the criminal proceedings.\n\nRussell will attend Newcastle Crown Court on April 24 for a pre-trial preparation hearing.\n\nHuntley was serving a life sentence for the 2002 murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.\n\nThe ex-school caretaker killed the best friends after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002.\n\nHe dumped their bodies in a ditch 10 miles away.\n\nThey were not found for 13 days, despite a search involving hundreds of police.\n\nAt the time, Huntley lived with Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica’s primary school.\n\nHe 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.\n\nCarr gave Huntley a false alibi and was jailed for 21 months for perverting the course of justice.\n\nShe is now living under a new identity.\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,** check our news page.\n\n\nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Ian Huntley died after being hit ‘multiple times in the head with a metal bar’"
}