Huntley, who was 28 years old at the time, worked as a caretaker at a local school and had a history of manipulative behavior. He was initially thought to have been a reliable witness, as he claimed to have seen the girls the day they disappeared, but it later emerged that he had lied about his involvement. The investigation revealed that Huntley had murdered the girls in his home, and after a trial in 2003, he was convicted of their murders. He was sentenced to two life sentences.
The case sparked significant media coverage and public outrage, especially due to Huntley's deceitful behavior, his manipulation of the police investigation, and the tragic deaths of two innocent children. It also led to changes in the UK's laws, particularly in relation to the vetting process for people working with children.