Details of how a double murderer died in a North East prison have emerged in a new report.

George Naylor, 77, was given a life sentence for killing two young sex workers in Bradford in 1985 and 1995.

In December, Naylor suffered a stroke and died eight days later, on December 17 last year, at Durham's top security HMP Frankland.

The newly released investigation report from the Prisons & Probation Ombudsman reveals that Naylor suffered from Parkinson's and a rare degenerative neural condition, for which he refused care. It also discloses his aggression towards healthcare professionals towards the end of his life.

He was the 17th prisoner to die in HMP Frankland since December 2019.

Read more: Partner warned her 'psychopath' ex would kill again before he murdered teen

In 1985, Naylor killed 22-year-old Deborah Kershaw in Bradford's red light district. He strangled her to death only eight weeks after being released early from a stint in prison for raping and robbing a 61-year-old pensioner. 

For Kershaw's death, Naylor was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 11 years, but only served nine of them.

The Northern Echo: George Naylor killed two peopleGeorge Naylor killed two people (Image: NEWSQUEST)

In 1995, he went on to murder 18-year-old Maureen Stepan, a sex worker, strangling her to death in her Bradford flat. For this killing, he received a life sentence.  

The Ombudsman's investigation into Naylor's death outlined Parkinson's disease, and his 2019 diagnosis of a rare neurodegenerative condition. Neither diagnosis had previously been public knowledge. 

The report also outlines that Naylor was the 17th prisoner to die in HMP Frankland since December 2019.

The Northern Echo: The infamous double killer died in prison in DurhamThe infamous double killer died in prison in Durham (Image: The Northern Echo)

Others dead include Peter Sutcliffe, 74, who died in 2021 after contracting Covid, and Camden Ripper Anthony Hardy, 69, who died from sepsis. The Ombudsman found that Naylor did not have Covid at the time of his death. 

Read more: Child abuser Andrew Hadwin dies at HMP Durham awaiting sentencing

The report states: "Mr Naylor had complex health needs. He had Parkinson’s Disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (a rare neurological condition caused by increasing numbers of brain cells becoming damaged over time that can cause problems with balance, movement, speech, vision and swallowing), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD – the term for a group of serious lung diseases), atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and hypertension (high blood pressure).

"Mr Naylor was diagnosed with probable progressive supranuclear palsy in February 2019 after he had recurrent falls. He refused to take the medication prescribed to him and refused to go for a scan until September 2020, when the diagnosis was confirmed. He was told that the main symptom was falling and there was no cure."

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to The Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.

According to the investigation, Naylor refused treatment for his various conditions, often declining to be admitted to the Prison's medical wing. 

Naylor also became aggressive towards healthcare staff on multiple occasions as they attempted to provide care.  

The report confirmed that Naylor suffered a brain aneurysm, and passed away after spending a week in Frankland's palliative care suite, never having regained consciousness.