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Born in United Kingdom · Nationality British — Crime / mafias / terrorism / criminal cases

Levi Bellfield

Violent crime and serial killers

Documented profile covering 14 controversies, including “Changing confessions to Lin and Megan Russell murders and renewed review of Michael Stone case” and “DNA test ordered as part of Russell murders review”.

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Profile No. 2413 · Updated on 12 October 2026

14Documented controversies
12Sources
2 followed by a conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2017–2026

Changing confessions to Lin and Megan Russell murders and renewed review of Michael Stone case

No legal proceedings

Bellfield repeatedly claimed to have committed the 1996 murders of Lin and Megan Russell, before retracting and then renewing his confessions. These statements prompted further reviews of the case of Michael Stone, who was convicted of the crimes.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianConviction of man for Lin and Megan Russell murders reviewed after Levi Bellfield confessionPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Criminal Cases Review CommissionNo grounds to refer murder and attempted murder convictions back to the Court of AppealOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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02

July–15 September 2026

DNA test ordered as part of Russell murders review

No legal proceedings

In July 2026, it was announced that Bellfield would have to provide a DNA sample as part of the CCRC's review of Michael Stone's conviction for the Russell murders.

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianLevi Bellfield to have DNA test in connection with Lin and Megan Russell murdersPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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03

2022–2 August 2024

Marriage and civil partnership plans blocked for prisoners under whole-life orders

No legal proceedings

Bellfield initially sought to marry in prison and considered a legal challenge, then applied for a civil partnership. Legislation under the Victims and Prisoners Act came into force in 2024 to prevent prisoners subject to whole-life orders from marrying or entering civil partnerships in principle.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianSerial killer Levi Bellfield blocked from having civil partnershipPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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Case · 4 documented stages

Application to appeal Dowler conviction dismissed

Conviction
04

8 February 2012

Application to appeal Dowler conviction dismissed

Conviction

The Court of Appeal dismissed Bellfield's application to challenge his conviction for Milly Dowler's abduction and murder.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Guardian / Press AssociationLevi Bellfield loses bid to challenge Milly Dowler convictionNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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06

23 June 2011

Conviction for abduction and murder of Milly Dowler

Conviction

Following a separate trial at the Old Bailey, Bellfield was found guilty of abducting and murdering Milly Dowler.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianLevi Bellfield gets life without parolePressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Guardian / Press AssociationLevi Bellfield loses bid to challenge Milly Dowler convictionNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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07

24 June 2011

Second whole-life order

Conviction

The judge imposed a further whole-life order for Milly Dowler's murder, while Bellfield was already serving a whole-life sentence dating from 2008.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianLevi Bellfield gets life without parolePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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14

21 March 2002

Abduction and murder of Milly Dowler

Conviction

Milly Dowler, aged 13, disappeared while returning home from school in Walton-on-Thames. Bellfield, who lived very close to where she was last seen, was eventually convicted of her abduction and murder in 2011.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianLevi Bellfield gets life without parolePressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Guardian / Press AssociationLevi Bellfield loses bid to challenge Milly Dowler convictionNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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05

2002; reconnaissance publique en 2011

Missed police opportunities during Dowler investigation

Investigation

Following Bellfield's conviction, Surrey Police acknowledged missing opportunities to identify him in 2002, notably after repeatedly visiting his home without establishing who lived there.

State of the evidence
Admitted by the person

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMilly Dowler: Did police mistakes let Levi Bellfield kill again?PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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08

25 February 2008–2010

Named prime suspect in Milly Dowler case after 2008 trial

Investigation

When reporting restrictions were lifted after his first trial, Surrey Police announced that Bellfield was the prime suspect in Milly Dowler's disappearance and murder.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Accused

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianBellfield named as prime suspect in Dowler murderPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianThe Milly Dowler investigationPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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Case · 5 documented stages

2008 convictions for two murders and one attempted murder

Conviction
09

25 February 2008

2008 convictions for two murders and one attempted murder

Conviction

An Old Bailey jury found Bellfield guilty of murdering Marsha McDonnell and Amélie Delagrange and attempting to murder Kate Sheedy.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianKiller Bellfield suspected in Milly Dowler murderPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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10

26 February 2008

First whole-life order

Conviction

Following the 2008 verdicts, Bellfield received a life sentence without the ordinary possibility of release.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianKiller Bellfield sentenced to lifePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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11

May 2004

Attempted murder of Kate Sheedy

Conviction

Bellfield ran over Kate Sheedy, aged 18, with his vehicle and then drove over her again, causing serious injuries. She survived.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianKiller Bellfield suspected in Milly Dowler murderPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianBellfield cruised streets before striking with 'blitz' hammer attacksPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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12

19 August 2004

Murder of Amélie Delagrange

Conviction

Bellfield followed and then attacked Amélie Delagrange, aged 22, on Twickenham Green, inflicting fatal head injuries with a blunt object.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianKiller Bellfield suspected in Milly Dowler murderPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianBellfield cruised streets before striking with 'blitz' hammer attacksPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

13

February 2003

Murder of Marsha McDonnell

Conviction

Bellfield attacked Marsha McDonnell, aged 19, near a bus stop after following her by car, fatally striking her on the head.

State of the evidence
Established by a court
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianKiller Bellfield suspected in Milly Dowler murderPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianBellfield cruised streets before striking with 'blitz' hammer attacksPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

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