Anthony Russell

Anthony Russell (born 16 April 1982) is a British murderer, spree killer, and convicted rapist. In October 2020, he murdered Julie Williams, her son David Williams, and Nicole McGregor, whom he raped before killing and leaving in woodland near Leamington Spa. He received a whole life order for the three murders.

In March 2026, Russell was charged with the murder of Ian Huntley following an alleged assault at HMP Frankland.

2020 murder spree In October 2020, Russell killed three people in Coventry and Leamington Spa. On 23 October, 58-year-old Julie Williams contacted West Midlands Police to report that her son, 31-year-old David Williams, was missing. Two days later, Julie's sister reported that Julie was also missing. Police officers entered Julie's home in Coventry and found her dead on the floor of her living room. She had sustained 113 separate injuries and suffered trauma to the head and neck. He was found sleeping in the back seat of the car he had stolen on a road near Burton upon Trent. When first questioned in custody, he remained silent and kept a blanket over his head. He later admitted to all three murders, as well as the robberies and the wounding of the carjacking victim.

In March 2022, Russell was retried at Warwick Crown Court. The hearing included three days of evidence from multiple witnesses, including McGregor's boyfriend at the time of her murder, Christopher White. Prosecutors argued that Russell's motive for killing McGregor had been to prevent her from reporting the rape. On 10 March, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict in just over an hour.

On 11 March, Russell was sentenced for the rape, as well as for the murder, assault, and robbery charges to which he had previously pleaded guilty. He received "lengthy" prison sentences for each offence; meaning he will never be eligible for parole.

Russell was named as the prisoner accused of carrying out the attack before Huntley’s death. A prison source claimed that Russell had struck Huntley repeatedly upon the head with the pole, "with such force that part of the bar was lodged inside of him", after a fight broke out between the two men during a work assignment. Huntley was reported to have been "bullying" Russell. After the assault, Russell reportedly shouted, "I have done it. I have killed him." Other inmates were said to have cheered after the attack was carried out.

On 10 March, Russell was charged with the murder of Huntley.

Media Russell was profiled on the British crime television programme Britain's Most Evil Killers.