The Soham Murders: Holly Wells, Jessica Chapman, and the Case That Changed Britain

In August 2002, ten year old Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman vanished from the quiet town of Soham in Cambridgeshire, England. The two best friends were last seen entering the home of Ian Huntley, the caretaker at their local secondary school and the partner of their former teaching assistant, Maxine Carr. What followed was one of the most closely watched missing persons investigations in British history. As a nationwide search unfolded, Huntley made repeated media appearances presenting himself as a cooperating witness. Thirteen days after the girls disappeared, their remains were discovered near an airfield in Suffolk. Forensic evidence and inconsistencies in Huntley's account placed him at the center of the investigation, leading to his arrest alongside Maxine Carr. In December 2003, Ian Huntley was convicted of the double murder and sentenced to two life terms. Maxine Carr was convicted of perverting the course of justice for providing Huntley with a false alibi. The judge confirmed Huntley must serve a minimum of 40 years before parole consideration. Follow True Crime Recaps for weekly cases examining real investigations and the justice system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices