[82], Over the course of three days, Latham outlined the efforts of both defendants to divert suspicion away from Huntley, and Huntley's own efforts to destroy all physical and circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime,[24] but despite these efforts, investigators had retrieved enough evidence to show the children had been murdered within his home andwithin approximately twelve hours of their deathstransported in his vehicle to the location where their bodies were discovered on 17 August. On one occasion, he beat his wife so badly she suffered a miscarriage. Investigators were able to obtain extensive footage of the children's movements following their departure from the Wells household. The reason for this decision had been that both bodies were too extensively decomposed and damaged by fire to enable a conclusive determination of either the actual cause of death or if either girl had been subjected to a sexual assault. [240], An added complication in these criminal vetting procedures was the fact that Huntley had applied for the caretaker's job under the name of Ian Nixon, although he divulged on the application form for this position that he was previously known as Ian Huntley. Messages and flowers in remembrance of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells lie on the ground August 18, 2002 outside St Andrew's Church in Soham,. C ya around school! I'm going to be inside forever, and it'll be torture. Performed by Frankie Goes to . The costs of imposing this order have been reported by differing tabloid newspapers as being between 1million and 50million. We do chat about her quite regularly, which I think is a very nice thing. Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr are taken in to help police with their enquiries, MAXINE Carr became one of Britain's most reviled women after she provided Ian Huntley with an alibi for the Soham murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, 20 years ago. The injuries Huntley received in this attack resulted in his being unable to attend the hearing at which his minimum term of imprisonment was decided. [132][4], Referencing the likely motive for the girls' murder and the cause of death of each victim, Latham stated that due to the extensive state of decomposition of the bodies, the coroner had been unable to determine the precise cause of death of either child, or whether the girls had been sexually assaulted before or after death. His girlfriend, Maxine Ann Carrthe girls' teaching assistanthad knowingly provided Huntley with a false alibi. Although Mr Huntley made clear attempts to appear insane, I have no doubt that the man currently, and at the time of the murders, was both physically and mentally sound and therefore, if he is found guilty, carried out the murders totally aware of his actions. Jessica Chapmans parents, Leslie and Sharon, have rarely spoken publicly about the murder. The girls had been at a Wells family barbecue before sneaking out to buy sweets. [75], On 21 August, the bodies of both girls were identified via DNA testing. Soham is a small town and civil parish located in the east of the university city Cambridge, in the United Kingdom. Staff initially feared Huntley might die as a result of this overdose,[124] but he was returned to his prison cell within 48 hours. [97] By this date, police had received information from several Grimsby residents who had recognised Huntley in the television interviews he had given, and recalled that he had been accused of rape several years earlier. [118] Carr only severed contact with Huntley in December 2002. )[177][n 12], By 2001, Huntley's proven and alleged criminal activities had been reported to Humberside Police on ten occasions and to the social services on five occasions. His erratic behaviour and apparent distress led to him being prescribed anti-depressants on 13 August. [14] As a result of this complaint, further rumours regarding Huntley's sexual violence also became community gossip,[176] resulting in Huntley being fired from his job and forcing him to move into his mother's home. [168] The marriage was short-lived due to Huntley's volatile temper, which surfaced within days of their marriage. A taxi driver stated he had seen him "thrashing his arms" as he struggled with two young girls inside his vehicle as he drove on the A142 south of Soham towards Newmarket around the time that the girls were last seen. Available Until: 05 September 2026. Two girls go missing in August of 2002, leaving their community reeling. [16] Huntley's face showed no emotion as the verdict was announced; the mothers of both Wells and Chapman burst into tears. G+. This footage depicted them arriving at the local sports centre at 6:28p.m.[33][n 2] A televised reconstruction of the children's last known movements was broadcast nationally on 10 August,[35][36] and both sets of parents granted an interview with presenter Colin Baker on ITV's current affairs programme Tonight, which was broadcast on 12 August. [69], Carr was also interviewed by the press during the second week of the search for the children. [69] Huntley had allegedly suspected Carr of conducting affairs throughout their relationship, leading his mother and some police officers to suspect he had killed the two girls in a fit of jealous rage. Where do Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton live? [59], On 16 August, twelve days after the children's disappearance, Huntley and Carr were first questioned by police. Nicola and Kevin Wells are the parents of Holly, who was murdered along with her best friend on August 4 2002. His fingerprints were recovered from the bin. Kevin and Nichola Wells and Les and Sharon Chapman , parents of murdered Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman arrive for the first day. Following the birth of their second child, Wayne, in August 1975, the family moved into a rented property in Immingham, where Huntley attended school. "[90], Discussing the personalities of the girls, Carr described Wells as being the "more feminine" of the two, adding that Chapman was "more of a tomboy"[91] and that on one occasion, she had jokingly remarked to Chapman how, unlike many of her friends, she seldom wore a skirt. The families of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells have laid the girls to rest at small private funerals almost a month after the 10-year-old best friends went missing. Their daughters best friends who were just 10 years old were murdered by Ian Huntley after he lured them back to his house in August 2002. Referencing one of the 1998 rapes he had committed but had earlier claimed to her to have been falsely accused of in this phone call, Huntley then began voicing concerns as to again being falsely accused of involvement on this occasion, also claiming his previous arrest had caused him to suffer a nervous breakdown. Sign up for Bustle UK's twice-weekly newsletter, featuring the latest must-watch TV, moving personal stories, and expert advice on the hottest viral buys. Watch on . Runtime: 92 minutes. Huntley also developed a hobby of plane spotting. RMG6JATP - The parents of murdered Soham schoolchildren Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, from left, Leslie and Sharon Chapman and Kevin and Nicola Wells, arrive at the Old Bailey in London, where the prosecution is expected to outline its case at the trial of Ian Huntley and his former girlfriend Maxine Carr. School caretaker Ian Huntley is currently serving a prison sentence for the young girls' murder. Between 1990 and 1996, Huntley worked in a succession of menial jobs, but seldom held any job for long. Huntley saw the girls and lured them back to his house on the pretence that their teaching assistant Maxine Carr, his girlfriend was also at the house. It was not until 8 p.m. that Holly's parents found out she was missing. [147], The jury deliberated for four days before reaching their verdicts against both defendants. "[28], Suspecting the children had been kidnapped, investigators questioned every registered sex offender in Cambridgeshire and neighbouring Lincolnshire. The two were best friends and had been spending time with each other for the past couple of days. ", "Caretaker Charged With Murder of Two Girls and Sent to Rampton", "Holly and Jessica: Two Bodies Found in Woods", "The Whole Town is Weeping: A Community Dazed by Grief and Disbelief", "Chatroom Contact Dismissed as False Lead", "Reconstruction of Children's Walk Too Painful for Parents to Watch", "Walking in the Last Known Footsteps of Holly and Jessica", "Abduction of Six-year-old May be Linked to Missing Girls", "A Long Night Waiting for News That Never Came", "Countdown to Murder of 'Two Little Beckhams', "Soham Murders: Why did Ian Huntley Kill Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman? [78] This service was attended by about 2,000 people, including the girls' classmates, teachers and the six family liaison officers who had provided 24-hour service for both families. Testimony from Carr had indicated her suspicions sexual activity had occurred in their home in her absence as, although Huntley had insisted throughout their relationship that Carr perform all domestic chores, she noticed that he had washed the quilts, pillow cases and sheets of their bed in her absence. Heartbreak of Ian Huntleys daughter as father shows no remorse for Holly and Jessicas murder, Ian Huntleys jail term run-in with Yorkshire Ripper, suicide attempts and a near-fatal stabbing, Peter Andre issues strict rule for daughter Princess as she lands massive modeling contract, Eamonn Holmes fans baffled over his unrecognisable appearance in new photo as they make plea. From the moment Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman are discovered missing (4th August 2002) every heart rending . Today I accept there was nothing more or different as a parent I could have done to change the outcome, Kevin said at the time. He worked as a senior caretaker there until his arrest. [37] Other family members and friends of both girls also appealed via the media for the safe return of the children. Shortly before the two returned to College Close,[58] a neighbour of Carr's mother named Marion Clift saw the couple standing at the rear of the vehicle, with the boot open. The case reached court, but the prosecution offered no evidence, resulting in a judge ordering the offence to lie on file. Ian Huntley is found guilty of murdering both Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells. Wells and her friend, Jessica Chapman was out to purchase a sweet from a nearby vending machine. In 2002, this quiet community would be rocked by the disappearance of two 10-year-old girls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Huntley supplied a DNA sample to assist in their enquiries, with Carr also providing an alibi to support his claims of innocence. Ten years after the murders, in 2012, Hollys parents Kevin and Nicola Wells opened up about the death of their daughter for the first time, via the Daily Mail. She further explained her focus had therefore been to protect Huntley's job and reputation, adding that had she known of Huntley's guilt, she would never have attempted to provide him with a false alibi, stating to her counsel: "If, for a minute, I [had known] or believed he'd murdered either of those girls I would have been horrified. Wells and Chapman became two of the pupils she taught,[17] and both girls were fond of her. "[143], Questioned about the efforts she had made to mislead both police and the media to divert suspicion from her partner, Carr emphasised she had only lied to police, the media and "anyone who asks" to protect Huntley, who had repeatedly assured her of his innocence of any wrongdoing and his fear of being "fitted up"[144] by police for the girls' disappearance should they discover the 1998 rape allegation made against him. . Songs by: Van Dyke Parks. Best friends Holly and Jessica were just 10 years . [125][126][6], At a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on 16 June 2003, Huntley pleaded not guilty to the charges of murdering Wells and Chapman, and guilty to the charge both stood accused of: conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. [224] Following Huntley's admission of guilt, this victim issued a press statement in which she confessed to feeling "a massive sense of relief", but concluded this statement with the sentence: "Yet, I still feel upset that Huntley was left at large, resulting in the deaths of two innocent children. Music Composed and Conducted by: David Newman. Shortly thereafter, she briefly worked as a junior care assistant at a care home for the elderly in Grimsby, then returned to work alongside her mother as a labourer at Bluecrest fish processing plant. [203] He soon found new employment at a finance company in Binbrook while Carr maintained her employment packing fish at a local fish processing factory. Alarmed, she and her husband, Kevin, searched the house and nearby streets. Section of Mr Justice Alan Moses' sentencing of Ian Huntley. FRIENDS Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman went missing in August 2002 and their bodies were not found until more than a week later. Carr further testified to having noted a crack in the enamel of the bathtub which had not been there when she had travelled to Grimsby four days previously. We will never forget Holly but life does move on it has to. [8] Parr then returned home. Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones. [158], Ian Kevin Huntley was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, on 31 January 1974, the first of two sons born to Kevin Huntley and his wife, Lynda (ne Nixon). I am Madeleine McCann girl has a price on her head as police investigate credible death threat, Emmerdale fans work out Caleb Miligans real reason for Home Farm plot as Alex returns, I am Madeleine McCann girl shares big announcement: Our discoveries are shocking, I am Madeleine McCann girl Julia Wandelt on dream come true as she shares news, Website appears to remove vile Madeleine McCann merchandise following fierce backlash, Con Girl on Paramount+: The disturbing tale of serial con artist Samantha Azzopardi. Two decades ago, 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were murdered by their school caretaker Ian Huntley. We had a flood. Chris Young - PA Images/PA Images/Getty Images, schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were murdered. [38] These appeals for information on the whereabouts of Wells and Chapman produced over 2,000 phone calls and tips from the public, with all information obtained entered into the investigation's HOLMES 2 database. Huntley killed Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, each 10 years outdated, in Soham, England, in August 2002. Now, almost 20 years on, Channel 5 tonight (March 10) continues its documentary series Soham: The Murder of Holly & Jessica. Ian Huntley accuses ex-girlfriend Maxine Carr of being a liar but hopes that she will move on after the murders of Jessica and Holly Source: Cambridgeshire Police Who is Maxine Carr? It can't have been! There are few worse crimes than your murder of these two young girls. Produced In Association With Silver Screen Partners III and MTM Enterprises, Inc. "The Roger Rabbit's Little OddParents". For the first five months after Holly died we broke down together, but after that we processed our grief at different speeds. Holly wouldve been an auntie to her brothers children. Each provided witness statements before being placed in a safe house in the village of Histon. The two photogenic 10-year-olds were the very model of typical children growing up in a "safe", quiet, English town. This was supported by the headteacher of St Andrew's Primary School, who told reporters: "The possible danger from strangers is something we have impressed upon [the children] from an early age. [54], Police were suspicious of Huntley's account. The 10-year-old best friends were inseperable - even when their lives were cruelly snatched away by vicious killer Ian Huntley 18 years ago today. [82][n 7] These conclusions were physically supported by an analysis of the shoots of nettles at the crime scene which enabled forensic ecologist and palynologist Patricia Wiltshire to estimate that the bodies had been placed at this location almost two weeks before. However, ten years after their daughters death, they gave a statement in support of police plans to create a national database for sex offenders. Chaired by Sir Michael Bichard, the Bichard inquiry opened on 13 January 2004. [229] Carr won an injunction on 24 February 2005, granting her lifelong anonymity on the grounds that her life would otherwise be in danger. William and Kate worried Prince George will be overwhelmed at King Charles coronation, Beyond Paradise fans turns emotional at Ruth Madocs final on-screen appearance. According to Huntley, he, Wells and Chapman had entered his bathroom to stem a mild nosebleed Wells had been suffering when the girls had walked by his home. Following their separation, Huntley had distanced himself from his father for several years. Season 1. [212], At 9:53a.m. on 4 August, Huntley attempted to phone Carr, but she did not answer her mobile phone.