A coroner has provided an update on the investigation into the death of Ian Huntley, the infamous Soham killer. Huntley, aged 52, sustained fatal head injuries from an assault with a metal bar while incarcerated at HMP Frankland. The incident occurred, leading to Huntley being placed on life support before succumbing to his injuries nine days later.

During a brief hearing conducted by coroner’s officer Bradley King, it was revealed that the inquest has been paused due to ongoing criminal proceedings. Another inmate at Frankland, Anthony Russell, aged 43, has been accused of Huntley’s murder and is set to stand trial in the future.

The hearing at Crook coroners’ court in Co Durham, presided over by Durham senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield, was adjourned until September 15 pending further developments. Chipperfield emphasized the necessity to halt the investigation in the presence of criminal charges against an individual.

Ian Huntley was serving a minimum of 40 years in prison for the 2002 murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire. His true nature was revealed when it was discovered that he had deceived the girls into his home after they left a family event. Huntley and his accomplice, Maxine Carr, were eventually apprehended, leading to a high-profile trial at the Old Bailey.

After being found guilty, Huntley was transferred to Frankland in 2008 from Wakefield prison. Carr, aged 49, was convicted of perverting the course of justice but cleared of assisting in the crimes. She served a prison sentence and received a new identity upon release.

Details of Huntley’s demise were outlined in a previous inquest hearing, where it was disclosed that he suffered fatal head injuries from a violent attack by another inmate using a metal bar. Reports later indicated that Huntley was discreetly cremated without a formal service or attendees, as his family declined a state-funded funeral out of respect for his victims’ families.