Ian Huntley, Soham Killer, Dies After Prison Attack By Inmate

The death of Ian Huntley last week, concluded a 24-year saga that began with a true crime that rattled the United Kingdom. Huntley, 52, was a former school caretaker who murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002. Well, he’s dead now, so what does his family think about his passing? Read on to find out.

How Did He Die?

Huntley passed away after medical professionals took him off life support. That came after he ended up unconscious and comatose following a serious attack in prison nine days before.

Actually, it seems unlikely that too many people mourn the attack of the murderer in prison. If you don’t know, it all began back in August of 2002. At the time, Holly and Jessica disappeared after a family barbecue in Soham.

A Massive Manhunt

For thirteen days, a massive manhunt took place. Interestingly, in line with theories that murderers often step into the limelight, he gave multiple media interviews. Back then, he pretended a lot of concern for the two girls. At the time, he lived with Maxine Carr, a teaching assistant at the girls’ school.

As the evidence played out, public opinion turned to disgust because those interviews only pointed out his cruel nature. Sadly, the last known camera footage showed two innocent young girls happily together at a local sports centre. That footage was captured by CCTV. Sadly, they actually walked towards their death, but they didn’t know it.

Arrest & Trial

Well, the desperate search ended in mid-August when the bodies were found in a ditch near RAF Lakenheath. Of course, an arrest was followed by a trial, where true crime followers heard some terrifying and brutal facts.

Ian Huntley had asphyxiated both children. In his defense, he claimed that Holly’s death was simply an accident in his bathtub. Well, the law didn’t buy it, and he ended up found guilty.

In his summing up, the judge slammed him for his “lies and manipulation.” After all, he’d increased the families’ suffering. Then, he discovered his prison sentence would be two life terms with a minimum of 40 years.

System Failures

A subsequent public inquiry into the murders, chaired by Sir Michael Bichard, revealed a catastrophic failure in police communications. In fact, the cops knew Huntley from the past. And, he had been accused of serious sexual assault in a different jurisdiction (Humberside).

Unfortunately, that improperly documented crossover resulted in him landing a position of trust at a school. As a result, the law changed. Too late for Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, the fallout led to the creation of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

These days, it changes the way the UK vets those working with children. So, at least something positive emerged regarding true crime cases since then.

Violence Behind Bars

Unsympathetic folks might cheer because Ian Huntley spent his prison time being targeted by other inmates. Notably, even among the most vicious inmates, Huntley’s crimes were just too much for them.

Several times, he felt the long arm of prison justice reaching out to him. In 2005, apart from other attempts on his life, he survived being scalded with boiling water. That came from Mark Hobson, a murderer. Then in 2010, he survived his throat being slashed by an armed robber named Damien Fowkes.

The End Of Life 

Well, he ran out of luck and nine lives on February 26, 2026, at HMP Frankland. There, while in a prison workshop, another inmate named Anthony Russell allegedly attacked Huntley with a makeshift metal weapon. Russell was no stranger to killing and had three deaths behind his conviction.

Per The Mirror:

Russell is alleged to have said, “I’ve done it, I’ve done it. I’ve killed him, I’ve killed him,” as he was taken away in handcuffs.

The attack left Ian Huntley in a bad way with massive trauma. Transported to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, he deteriorated and his unresponsive state eventually led to the withdrawal of care.

His Family Feelings?

In an interview with The Sun on YouTube, his daughter, Samantha Bryan, exhibited no sadness over the demise of her dad. She said, “Over the years, I’ve cried many times over the thought of Holly and Jessica and what their families have gone through.” Then she added, “I don’t ever want Holly and Jessica’s memory to be forgotten.”

Well, people can hardly condemn her for her feelings. Imagine growing up knowing about your dad committing such a terrible true crime. So, asked about the disposal of his body, she remarked, “I don’t think he deserves a resting place. Or even just throw the ashes to the wind. I was over the moon [when he died] to be honest.”

Plus, she likes the fact that finally, she can get on with her life without the sins of her father hanging over her all the time. Notably, the family wants to save their tears for the victims. And, feel some relief. In fact, the fear that Huntley might one day leave prison left them cold. 

Viewers React

In the comments section, nobody condemned Ian’s family for expressing a lack of sadness. And others liked the idea of prison justice.

One person opined, “Your own daughter over the moon that you are dead that’s when you know you’re a complete monster.”

Here are a few more responses from the discussion:

• Well said, disowning him was the right thing, no one holds anything against you.
• It must be hard for this young woman knowing what a monster her father was. Respect to her.
• Thoughts to the mother daughter & the 2 beautiful girls who sadly lost there young lives – let him rot forever in hell with zero comfort.
• Finally sweet Holly and Jess have some justice.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below, and come back here often for all your true crime news and updates. Plus, we also have a crime channel on TikTok that you can follow.