ANTHONY RUSSELL RIGHTS COVENTRY MURDER SPREE AND RAPE CASE
A cold and calculating killer responsible for a six-day spree of violence that resulted in three deaths is facing life in prison after being convicted of raping his final victim.Anthony Russell murdered mother and son Julie and David Williams, aged 58 and 32, at their apartments before later raping and killing Nicole McGregor, who was 31 and pregnant at the time, and had shown him a sonogram picture.
Despite knowing she was dead, Russell told Nicole’s boyfriend, “I bet you can’t wait for it to be born.” The murders occurred in Coventry in October 2020, with Nicole's body later discovered in Leamington Spa three days after her death.
Following his conviction, police released footage showing Russell sleeping in a stolen car he used as a hideout.
His killing spree started on October 21 when he strangled David Williams with a lanyard.
Four days later, he violently attacked and murdered Julie Williams, hitting her repeatedly around the head and neck, leaving over 113 injuries.
Authorities believe he killed her because she knew he had murdered her son.
On the following day, David Williams’ body was found with 87 injuries.
Russell later claimed that he had killed a man who had engaged in sex with his girlfriend.
The murders prompted one of the largest manhunts in the West Midlands.
Detective Superintendent Shaun Edwards stated: “This was a violent series of killings which happened over a period of just seven days, but which have left two families devastated for the rest of their lives.
We believe David was killed because of Russell’s mistaken belief that he was dating his girlfriend.
When Russell visited Julie about her son’s disappearance, we think he confessed to David’s murder and then killed Julie to prevent her from talking to the police.” There is no known connection between Russell and Nicole, and it appears they crossed paths purely by chance.
CCTV footage introduced at trial showed Nicole McGregor walking alongside Russell at 7.45 pm on October 26.
Prosecutor Zoe Johnson QC described the footage, saying, “This is the last time Nicole is seen alive.
Just three hours after meeting the defendant, it appears she agreed to walk with him into Newbold Comyn.
We believe Russell lured her there, not for sex but more likely for drugs.
He murdered Nicole shortly after that image was captured, mere hours after they had met.” After the killing, Russell pretended to assist Nicole’s partner in looking for her.
He later became the subject of a nationwide hunt when he fled Leamington by stealing a 78-year-old man’s car.
Russell rang the victim’s door asking for directions, and when distracted, hit him over the head with a brick, causing a fractured skull and brain bleed.
He was finally arrested on October 30 when police found the stolen Ford C-Max parked near Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, with Russell in the back seat.
During booking, he admitted his guilt, stating, “I admit it, I did it.” Russell, who is from Coventry, is scheduled for sentencing on Friday.
