MoJ issue statement after death of murderer Ian Huntley

The Soham murderer died on the morning of Saturday, March 7 after being attacked by a fellow inmate at HMP Frankland on Thursday, February 26.

The MoJ said its thoughts are with the families of the two schoolgirls following Huntley's death.

A MoJ spokesperson said: “The murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman remains one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation’s history, and our thoughts are with their families.”

Huntley, 52, suffered severe brain trauma after he was attacked in a prison workshop with a metal bar.

Ian Huntley died on Saturday morning (Image: PA)

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and placed on life support.

Durham Police confirmed the murderer had died on Saturday morning.

A spokesperson for the force said: “A man who was attacked at HMP Frankland in Durham last week has died in hospital this morning (March 7).

“Ian Huntley, 52, was taken to hospital with serious injuries following an incident in the workshop on the morning of Thursday, February 26.

“A police investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.

“A file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration for charges.”

His life support machine was switched off on Friday afternoon after brain tests showed he was in a vegetative state, according to The Sun.

Murderer and rapist Anthony Russell, 43, reportedly shouted “I’ve done it, I’ve done it” after Huntley was attacked in the prison’s recycling area last week.

Huntley murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham in 2002 (Image: ARCHIVE)

Huntley murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4, 2002.

He lured the girls to his home before killing them and dumping their bodies in a ditch. They were found more than a week later, 12 miles from their home town.

He had been held at HMP Frankland, known as Monster Mansion, for a number of years.

The attack which ultimately killed him was not the first attempt on Huntley's life.

In 2010, robber Damien Fowkes slashed Huntley with a home-made weapon, leaving a 7in (18cm) “severe, gaping cut” to the left side of his neck that required 21 stitches.

Fowkes later asked a prison officer: “Is he dead? I hope so,” and described Huntley as a “notorious child killer, both inside prison and in society in general”.