Family of Double Child Murderer Ian Huntley Reacts to Prison Attack

London: The daughter and former partner of convicted child murderer Ian Huntley have spoken out following reports that he was violently attacked in prison, expressing little sympathy and describing the incident as no more than he deserved.

Huntley, who is serving a life sentence for the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, was reportedly assaulted behind bars in an incident that has reignited public attention on one of Britain’s most notorious criminal cases.

“A Weight Lifted”

Samantha Bryan, who discovered during her school years that Huntley was her biological father, said the knowledge had cast a long shadow over her life. Reacting to reports that he had been attacked — and amid speculation about his condition — she admitted that hearing news of his death would have brought her a sense of relief.

“When I heard what had happened, I cried — but it was out of relief,” she said. “It felt like I could finally breathe again. I thought the burden I’ve carried all these years might disappear with him.”

Samantha added that while his death might bring a sense of closure, it would still be a lesser punishment than the gravity of his crimes warranted. She described Huntley as “cowardly, manipulative and purely evil.”

She also made clear that she has had no contact with him and would refuse any request to see him, even in his final moments.

“Death Would Be Too Easy”

Huntley’s former partner, Katie Bryan, who has previously spoken about suffering abuse at his hands when she was just 15, said she believes death would be an easy escape for him.

“There is a special place in hell for him,” she said. “Death would be too good for him. He should have to live with what he’s done. But at the same time, we want him gone from our lives forever.”

Katie recalled enduring physical abuse while pregnant and said she ultimately left him to protect her daughter. She also spoke of the stigma Samantha has faced because of her biological connection to Huntley, describing the emotional toll it has taken on their family.

Fear That the Full Truth May Never Emerge

Both women expressed concern that if Huntley were to die, key details surrounding the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman might never come to light. They believe he has never fully disclosed the truth about what happened.

“The girls’ parents deserve to know everything,” they said, adding that they doubt Huntley would ever voluntarily reveal the full account of his crimes.

Katie stressed that her granddaughter bears none of Huntley’s traits. “There is not a single part of Ian Huntley in my granddaughter,” she said. “She is intelligent and kind.”

More than two decades after the murders that shocked the United Kingdom, the emotional repercussions continue to reverberate — not only for the victims’ families, but also for those unwillingly connected to one of the country’s most reviled criminals.