Child killer Ian Huntley has died following a savage prison attack.
The 52-year-old was left on life support after being attacked with a spiked metal pole at HMP Frankland in County Durham last week.
He did not regain consciousness after the assault.
The former school caretaker was serving a minimum 40-year sentence for the 2002 murders of two ten-year-olds, best friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapma, in Soham.
Following the news of his death, a Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman remain one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation’s history, and our thoughts are with their families.”
A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “A man who was attacked at HMP Frankland in Durham last week has died in hospital this morning.
“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.”
Ian Huntley murdered two schoolgirls in 2002 | PAHis mother, Lynda Richards, 71, is said to have travelled from her Lincolnshire home to be at his hospital bedside before his death.
She allegedly told friends that her son was unrecognisable following the savage assault.
The incident was not the first time Huntley has been targeted behind bars.
In 2010, he required 21 stitches after robber Damien Fowkes cut his throat in prison.
