A man who is currently serving life sentences for the brutal killings of Lin Russell and her daughter Megan is undergoing a new DNA test to potentially identify another suspect and demonstrate his absence from the crime scene.
Michael Stone, aged 66, is set to have a fresh DNA sample collected while incarcerated, as confirmed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. This initiative coincides with the 30th anniversary of the tragic murders that occurred in July 1996.
Stone has persistently requested new DNA examinations following advancements in forensic technology, particularly in the ability to isolate male DNA from mixed samples. Any newly discovered male DNA could be cross-referenced with that of Levi Bellfield, a confessed serial killer linked to the murders.
Currently housed at HMP Frankland in Co Durham, Stone is serving multiple life sentences for the heinous crimes that shocked Britain. The incident involved the fatal assault on Dr. Lin Russell, 45, and her daughters Megan, six, and Josie, nine, during a walk home from school in Kent.
Recent revelations suggest a renewed forensic approach by Eurofins laboratory scientists, focusing on key items like bloodstained plimsoll laces and body tapings. These critical pieces of evidence hold the potential to provide crucial insights into the case, as they have not been retested since the initial investigation in 1996.
Furthermore, there are missing and contaminated exhibits from the crime scene, including a blood-stained boot lace found near the murder site. This lace, previously deemed lost but rediscovered in 2020, could hold pivotal information for the case review.
Stone, maintaining his innocence throughout, has faced numerous legal battles and appeals, with no tangible DNA evidence tying him to the murders. His legal team anticipates that the new DNA tests could unveil the presence of another individual, shedding light on a potential alternative suspect.
While suspicions have been raised regarding Bellfield’s involvement, the CCRC has discredited his claims, labeling them as unreliable. Stone’s defense team remains optimistic that the latest forensic technologies could offer a breakthrough in identifying the true perpetrator behind the Russell murders.
