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Milly Dowler's family speak of 'torment and pain' over killer's confession Milly Dowler's family speak of 'torment and pain' over killer's confession
(about 1 hour later)
The family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler have spoken out over their “torment and pain” after her killer Levi Bellfield finally gave harrowing details of his crimes. The family of the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler have broken their silence after her killer Levi Bellfield’s admission of guilt, describing their “torment and pain” at the gruesome details he gave police of the 13-year-old’s final hours.
In a statement they said they hoped the 13-year-old’s “soul, at long last, can finally rest in peace” now that the serial killer has given his account. In a statement, the Dowlers said they wanted to speak out because the reports so far had not reflected the real horror of Bellfield’s confession. “We feel we need to say something in addition to the information that has already been made public, as we do not think what has been revealed reflects the true heinousness of this man,” the statement said.
Bellfield would only speak to female officers from Surrey police when he decided to confess and gave them disturbing details of how he repeatedly raped, tortured and murdered Milly. They described how Bellfield, who is serving a whole-life sentence, had tortured and raped Milly over two days, and their devastation at the news that Surrey police were now investigating a possible accomplice to the crime.
This is a breaking news story, please check back for further updates Bellfield contacted Surrey police almost nine months ago, insisting on speaking only to female police officers, the family revealed. His confession was prompted because he had spoken to fellow prisoners, giving them details of his crimes, and one was due to be released, risking the information becoming public.
Milly disappeared as she walked home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in 2002. Bellfield was living just 50 yards away from where she was last spotted, and her decomposed body was found six months later by mushroom pickers near Fleet, Hampshire.
Bellfield was already serving life for the murders of two other women, Amelie Delagrange, 22, and Marsha McDonnell, 19, as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy, 18, when he faced trial for killing Milly. For years, the killer had repeatedly refused to confess, yawning as he was led from court following his conviction, and refusing to return to be sentenced.
The family said Bellfield, who now goes by the name Yusuf Rahim, gave officers a “harrowing” account of Milly’s abduction, repeated rape, torture and her murder.
“Bellfield told the police that after abducting Milly and assaulting her at his flat a few yards from Walton station, he then drove her to his mother’s house,” they said.
“He reversed down a long driveway and then raped her in broad daylight over the boot of his car. Bellfield then moved her to another location, where the rape and torture continued for a number of hours, until the next day when he finally strangled her to death.”
Milly’s family said their pain had only intensified after hearing the horrific account of her ordeal, and then being told by Surrey police they were now investigating an alleged accomplice involved in her abduction and rape.
“Hearing Bellfield’s account of how Milly spent her final hours before being murdered was shocking enough, but the news that there could have been another individual involved was devastating,” the family said.
“There are no words to describe the additional torment and pain we have been going through since we were told this information. We had to remain silent for eight months whilst the police conducted their investigation.
“Finally, when they made the arrest of the suspected accomplice, the person was questioned and released without charge in less than 10 hours as there was no evidence found.”
The family said the pressure had been “unimaginable and has taken its toll on all of us”.
“We have had to fight every step of the way to get this far,” the statement said. The family also revealed they had met the home secretary, Theresa May, last November to tell her of their concerns.
“Now we know the final hours of Milly’s life, perhaps her soul, at long last, can finally rest in peace. The general public have always played a huge part in supporting us, for which we are eternally grateful and thankful. We believe that they should know what Bellfield did to our beautiful daughter and sister Milly.”