Steve Wright, known as the Suffolk strangler, displayed a smirk while in court as the brother of his sixth victim recounted the ongoing pain and anguish inflicted upon their family.
Aged 67, Wright admitted guilt on Monday to the abduction and murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall, who vanished over 25 years ago in a village near Felixstowe.
In addition, he confessed to attempting to kidnap Emily Doherty, then 22, in the Suffolk port town the day before. Wright received a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years in prison for these crimes on Friday.
Steven, who was 15 at the time of his sister’s murder, expressed, “Our family was unwillingly inducted into a tragic group due to the actions of a man seeking selfish gains.
“Victoria, at only 17 years old, had a promising future ahead – university, career, marriage, children – all of which she was deprived of.
“Losing my sister, and my parents losing their beloved daughter who brought immense joy through her dancing and kind nature, has left a lasting void in our lives.
“For 26 years, since the age of 15, I have lived with the uncertainty of my sister’s fate.
“The resolution of this case does not provide closure; it merely identifies the perpetrator. The pain and suffering continue unabated.”
Victoria, hailing from Trimley St Mary in Suffolk, left her residence on the night of September 18, 1999, to visit the Bandbox nightclub in Felixstowe with a friend. Her lifeless body was discovered in a ditch five days later in Creeting St Peter, approximately 25 miles from her last known location. Wright had seized, sexually assaulted, and killed her before discarding her remains.
The circumstances of Victoria’s death caused immense anguish to her mother Lorinda, who passed away in December before Wright faced justice, as per court statements.
Initially appearing arrogant, Wright entered the courtroom, engaging casually with a court officer, seemingly carefree. Additional seating was arranged in the courtroom to accommodate the numerous media representatives present.
Physically overweight, bald, and sporting thick, black-framed glasses, the former QE2 steward resembled an ordinary senior citizen, a stark reminder of the banality of evil.
He limped towards his designated spot in the courtroom, observing journalists and onlookers with a keen eye before taking his seat with the assistance of a guard.
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