Babes in the Wood killer Russell Bishop dead aged 55

He was found guilty in 2018 of the murders of two Brighton schoolgirls back in 1986

Bishop's victims Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway
Author: Adam GoacherPublished 21st Jan 2022
Last updated 21st Jan 2022

Russell Bishop, also known as the Babes in the Wood killer is dead.

The child murderer is said to have died in hospital last night, having been rushed there from prison.

A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed the news, saying: "HMP Frankland prisoner Russell Bishop died in hospital on January 20. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed."

It's understood he had cancer.

Bishop was 20-years-old when he killed Brighton schoolgirls Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, both aged 9, in 1986, but he wasn't brought to justice for another 32 years.

He was originally cleared of their murders on December 10th 1987 but within three years went on to kidnap and molest a seven-year-old girl, leaving her for dead at Devils Dyke.

A court sketching of Russell Bishop

Reacting to the news, Brighton MP Peter Kyle said: 'Russell Bishop was a hateful man who’s murders and deceit caused endless pain to so many people.

'I hope his death behind bars starts a new chapter for his victims families. They deserve it.

'These events have scarred Brighton & Hove forever.'

We'll bring you more on this breaking news story as we get it.

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