Suffolk strangler Steve Wright’s unsettling smiling police photo has been publicized, marking his first appearance in nearly two decades. The release of the photo followed Wright’s acknowledgment of guilt in the murder case of 17-year-old Victoria Hall, who disappeared over 25 years ago. Wright, previously residing in Ipswich, changed his plea on Monday, admitting to abducting Victoria forcefully or deceitfully and to her murder on September 19, 1999.
Additionally, he confessed to the attempted abduction of Emily Doherty, then 22, in Felixstowe the day before Victoria’s murder. Despite urging from his relatives to confess earlier, this was the first time Wright admitted to the crimes. The mugshot of the balding Wright was made public after his guilty pleas.
During his appearance at the Old Bailey, Wright, dressed in a navy and grey jumper, spoke only to confirm his identity and enter his pleas. The sentencing by Mr. Justice Bennathan is scheduled for Friday to allow Ms. Hall’s family to attend and provide victim impact statements. Statements from Ms. Hall’s friend Gemma Algar and Ms. Doherty will also be considered.
Former sailor Wright, currently incarcerated at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, is already serving a life sentence without parole for the murders of five women, which occurred seven years after Victoria’s death. The recent guilty pleas came after Mr. Justice Bennathan permitted the jury to be informed about Wright’s prior murder convictions, despite objections from the defense regarding potential prejudice.
During legal proceedings last month, the prosecution emphasized the similarities in the murders, noting the asphyxiation of all six victims and the similar locations where they were found, as well as their physical resemblances. The prosecution also advocated for introducing evidence from a sex worker acquainted with Wright, attesting to his familiarity with the area related to Victoria’s murder.
Victoria, a resident of Suffolk, went missing on the night of September 18, 1999, after heading out with her friend Ms. Algar to the Bandbox nightclub in Felixstowe. Her body was discovered in a ditch in Creeting St Peter five days later, approximately 25 miles from her last known location. Victoria, a prospective sociology student at Roehampton University in Surrey, had her dreams shattered by the tragic incident.
