Serial killer Steve Wright handed life sentence for sixth murder
The serial killer admitted the kidnap and murder of teenager Victoria Hall more than 25 years ago
Last updated 21 hours ago
Serial killer Steve Wright, known as the Suffolk strangler, has been sentenced to life in prison for the abduction and murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall over 25 years ago.
Wright confessed to the kidnap and murder of Victoria, who disappeared on the outskirts of Felixstowe on 19th September 1999.
The former steward, already serving a whole-life sentence for murdering five other women in 2006, received a minimum term of 40 years at the Old Bailey today (6th February 2026)
Mr Justice Bennathan stated it was extraordinarily unlikely Wright would ever be released, telling him, "It is almost certain you will die in prison."
Wright's crimes included the attempted abduction of Emily Doherty the night before Victoria's disappearance.
Wright also faced claims of sexually violating and callously discarding Victoria's body, found five days later in a farm ditch.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC described Wright's actions, highlighting how Victoria was stripped of everything except her jewellery.
After Victoria's death, Wright attempted to cover his tracks by selling the Ford Granada Scorpio used in the abduction, lying low in Thailand, and reporting an injury at work.
Victoria and her friend left a nightclub at around 1am, walked back to Trimley St Mary and parted at around 2.20am near to the junction of High Road and Faulkeners Way, where Victoria was just yards from her home.
When Victoria's parents woke up that morning and discovered she had not returned home, the police were called and a missing person inquiry commenced.
Five days later, her naked body was found in a ditch in Creeting St Peter, around 25 miles from where she was last seen.
Victoria's brother, Steven Hall recounted the family's experience since Victoria's disappearance, stating that they have endured a "life sentence" in the decades that followed.
Despite the passage of time, he expressed that "time doesn't heal" and that they have been forced to learn to live with their loss.
Steven Hall said: "Victoria was only 17 years old and with so much life left to live - university, a career, marriage, kids, none of which she ever got to live."
"Since I was age 15 I have had 26 years of not knowing what happened to my sister."
The statements highlighted the lasting impact Steve Wright’s actions had on their family, including the inability of Victoria's mother, Lorinda, to witness the trial's conclusion due to her passing in December.
Graham Hall also shared his enduring sense of loss, stating: "Unfortunately, Lorinda has not lived to see the conclusion of Steve Wright's actions on that night."
"This is the end of the police involvement. It will never be over for us, but we have learned to live with it."
Following Wright's conviction, Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott, of Suffolk Constabulary, said: “Our immediate thoughts and focus today – as they have been throughout the entire investigation – are about Victoria Hall, her family and a significant number of others affected by the actions of Wright.
“Victoria’s family have waited over 26 years for this day and I am so very pleased that we have been able to deliver justice for Victoria and they now know who is responsible for Victoria’s murder.
“I am relieved that the family have been spared the ordeal of a trial however, I am acutely aware that despite today’s conviction, they will continue to live with the trauma of having Victoria ripped away from them at such a young age and in such horrific circumstances.
“I would like to thank them for the unwavering support they provided to the investigation team and pay tribute to them for the patience and dignity they have shown over such a long period of time. They have two dedicated Family Liaison Officers – one of whom has held that role since 1999 – and I know that an incredibly strong bond has been formed between them."
“I would also like to take the opportunity to commend the tenacious work of everyone who has been involved with this inquiry and helped to secure the conviction of Steve Wright, including colleagues from across Suffolk Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service."