Serial Killer Levi Bellfield to Provide DNA Sample Over 1996 Murders Claim

Levi Bellfield will provide a DNA sample after claiming responsibility for the 1996 murders of Lin and Megan Russell, prompting a review of evidence against convicted Michael Stone.

DNA Sample to Be Taken from Serial Killer Over 1996 Murders

A DNA sample will be collected from serial killer Levi Bellfield following his claim that he murdered a mother and daughter 30 years ago.

Lin Russell, aged 45, and her six-year-old daughter Megan were found dead in Chillenden, Kent, on 9 July 1996. Megan's sister Josie Russell, then nine years old, survived the attack but sustained severe head injuries.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is currently re-examining the evidence after Bellfield reportedly admitted to the murders.

Previously, the CCRC obtained a fresh DNA sample from Michael Stone, who was convicted of killing Lin and Megan and is serving three life sentences. It has now confirmed that a DNA sample will also be taken from Bellfield.

The Russell family had relocated to Kent from Gwynedd just months before the murders occurred.

A dinner table with orange table cloth and candles and plates of food. A grey-haired man, brunette woman and two young brunette girls are sat around the table. They are smiling and looking at the camera. — Image caption, The Russell family had moved to Kent from Gwynedd a few months before Lin and Megan were murdered

Michael Stone was convicted twice for the murders of Lin and Megan and the attempted murder of Josie.

After the attack, Josie and her father returned to live in Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd, their previous home before moving to Kent. Josie now works as an artist.

Stone has consistently maintained his innocence.

In 2022, Stone's solicitor, Paul Bacon, stated he had received a detailed four-page statement from Bellfield admitting to the killings.

Last week, Bacon expressed optimism about the ongoing review and DNA testing, saying:

"We hope then to be able to bring Michael before the Court of Appeal, and for him to regain his freedom after all these years of incarceration."

"We are very hopeful the CCRC review and Stone's DNA test will eventually lead to the real culprit being found."

A spokesperson for the CCRC said:

"We intend to obtain a sample from Mr Bellfield. No date has been set for this."

A man with brown hair, wearing an orange top. he is say in a kitvchen in front of a counter with a microwave and a TV on it. he is holding a cigarette and looking at the camera. — Image caption, Michael Stone was found guilty of the murders and attempted murder in 1998

Details of the 1996 Attack and Legal Proceedings

Lin Russell and her daughters were attacked while walking along a country lane in Kent. They were bound, blindfolded, and bludgeoned with a claw hammer.

The murders triggered a large-scale manhunt and attracted international media attention.

Michael Stone was first convicted of two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in 1998. His conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in 2001 due to concerns over a prosecution witness, but he was subsequently reconvicted.

Applications to the CCRC for review were rejected in 2010, and a judicial review attempt in 2011 also failed.

Who is Levi Bellfield?

Levi Bellfield was born on 17 May 1968 in Isleworth, London. He had two brothers and two sisters. His father died of leukaemia when Bellfield was 10 years old.

In court in 2008, Bellfield stated that he had lived his entire life in the Hounslow, Hanworth, and Feltham areas of southwest London.

Bellfield was convicted of murdering 13-year-old Milly Dowler in 2002 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. He also murdered Marsha McDonnell, aged 19, in 2003, and Amelie Delagrange, aged 22, in 2004. Additionally, he attempted to kill 18-year-old Kate Sheedy, who survived.

The Dowler family described Bellfield as "truly heinous" and detailed how he raped, tortured, and strangled Milly Dowler.

Bellfield has also faced charges related to attacks on other girls and young women.