Child killer Ian Huntley ‘has life support shut off’ after jail attack left him brain dead

Child killer Ian Huntley declared brain dead after fatal jail attack

Ian Huntley, the man convicted for the 2003 murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, has been left in a critical condition after a violent assault at HMP Frankland. The incident, which occurred in a workshop last week, reportedly caused him to become brain-dead with no chance of recovery.

Following the attack, prison staff withdrew his life support, leaving him dependent on a ventilator. Medical reports suggest he may only remain alive for a short time before succumbing to his injuries.

Prison hierarchy and media attention drive attacks

A former officer, speaking to Metro, claimed the assault was not motivated by justice but rather by a desire for recognition within the prison system, the press, or even a dispute over laundry duties. ‘These attacks are often about notoriety, not punishment,’ they explained.

‘He had cleaning fluid thrown in his eyes by a prisoner once and walked around with sunglasses on to hide the scarring. But these attacks are not done out of justice. They are done because usually the attacker wants notoriety. At best, it’s originated from a spat over the washing machine.’

History of violence in prison

Huntley, who has been labeled a ‘vulnerable prisoner’ since the start of his life sentence, has faced multiple incidents of aggression. In 2010, he was slashed by robber Damien Fowkes with a homemade weapon, resulting in a severe 7-inch cut to his neck requiring 21 stitches.

‘He used to walk around A-wing like he owned the place. He definitely had an air of arrogance,’ the ex-officer recalled. ‘But since he started getting attacked more and prison staff grew frustrated with him, he quietened down and spent most of his free time on his PlayStation 2.’

The officer also noted that Huntley’s status as a high-profile inmate meant he was a common target. ‘In that prison, there are thousands of Huntleys. No one is out to get him because of his crimes—they’re all the same. They’re out to get him because they’re bored and have nothing to lose,’ they added.

Other suspects in the attack

Anthony Russell, a 43-year-old triple killer and rapist serving a whole-life sentence, has been identified as a possible perpetrator of the recent assault. His involvement highlights the ongoing tension between high-profile inmates and the prison population.

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