Suffolk Strangler Told He Will Die in Prison After Sixth Murder Conviction
Notorious serial killer Steve Wright, infamously dubbed the Suffolk Strangler, has been informed he will die behind bars after receiving a life sentence for the abduction and murder of a teenager more than 25 years ago. This latest conviction marks his sixth murder, as police simultaneously launch a fresh appeal for information regarding his possible previous offending.
Details of the 1999 Murder and Sentencing
Wright was sentenced on Friday at the Old Bailey for the murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall, who disappeared on 19 September 1999 from a village near Felixstowe in Suffolk. The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, imposed a minimum term of 40 years for this crime and the attempted abduction of Emily Doherty. Given that Wright is already serving a whole-life sentence for five other murders, the judge stated it is extraordinarily unlikely he will ever be released, effectively condemning him to die in prison.
Outside the court, Victoria Hall's father expressed the family's enduring pain, noting that his wife did not live to see this day. He described his daughter as a loving girl with a whole life before her, whose future was brutally snatched away by Wright.
Police Appeal for Information on Possible Previous Offences
In light of Wright's guilty plea, Suffolk Police have issued a new appeal for information related to his possible previous offending. A statement from the force emphasised that Suffolk and Norfolk constabularies remain open to new information, which could be combined with modern forensic techniques to build further evidential cases and bring offenders to justice.
Missed Opportunities and Survivor's Account
The case has highlighted potential missed opportunities by authorities. Emily Doherty, who Wright attempted to abduct the night before Victoria Hall's murder, survived by evading him and seeking refuge. In her first media interview, she revealed that police treated her like a silly little girl and failed to conduct a full investigation, even after Hall's body was discovered. Doherty expressed devastation, suggesting that if her account had been taken seriously, Victoria Hall and the five other women Wright later murdered might still be alive.
Background on Wright's Crimes
Wright's murder spree began with the 1999 incidents in Felixstowe and escalated in 2006 when he killed five women in Ipswich:
- Tania Nicol, 19
- Gemma Adams, 25
- Anneli Alderton, 24
- Paula Clennell, 24
- Annette Nicholls, 29
This development underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address historical cases and seek justice for victims, with the police appeal aiming to uncover any additional offences linked to Wright's violent past.
