Ian Huntley's daughter has responded to the news of the double child killer's death.
Yesterday (7 March) it was confirmed that Huntley, who was convicted of killing 10-year-old best friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, had died in hospital after being attacked by another inmate.
"A man who was attacked at HMP Frankland in Durham last week has died in hospital this morning," a spokesman for Durham Constabulary said, confirming the incident.
"Ian Huntley, 52, was taken to hospital with serious injuries following an incident in the workshop on the morning of Thursday, February 26."
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The news came after the 52-year-old's life support was switched off after it was concluded that Huntley was unlikely to survive his severe head injuries.
Huntley's daughter has now shared her scathing reaction to the news, telling The Sun that she didn't believe her father deserved a funeral.
"He shouldn’t have the dignity of a funeral and grave. I will not be going. A funeral is pointless for a man like him," 27-year-old Samantha Bryan said.
"Funerals are supposed to be about celebrating someone’s life and there’s nothing about him to celebrate. It takes up people’s valuable time and he’s not worth it.
"We should flush his ashes down the toilet."
These views are echoed by Bryan's mother Katie Bryan, who added that he didn't deserve the 'dignity of a grave'.
"I just cannot get out of my head what he did to Holly and Jessica and how he left them in a ditch," she said.
"For that reason why should he be given the dignity of a grave? I don’t think he deserves a resting place. A Christian burial is for good people and he’s the devil. He’s evil. I know he’s going to burn in hell."
Samantha is the only child of Huntley, who pursued a relationship with her when she was just 15. Katie would later become pregnant with Samantha a year later at 16, when Huntley was 23.
The mother and daughter also paid tribute to Holly and Jessica, adding that the young girls' families were in their thoughts.
"Over the years, I’ve cried many times over the thought of Holly and Jessica and what their family have gone through. I don’t ever want Holly and Jessica to ever be forgotten," Samantha told the outlet.
"As a mother, my thoughts are also with the family of Holly and Jessica," Katie added. "Very much so. We should save our tears for them.”
Meanwhile an investigation has been launched into Huntley's death, with police describing the suspected attacker as a 'a male prisoner in his mid-40s'.
"A police investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing," Durham Constabulary added.
“A file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration for charges."
Brenna Cooper