Suffolk murderer Simon Hall committed suicide in Norfolk prison cell, inquest rules

Simon Hall, murderer of Joan Albert. (Image: Archant)

At an inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court today, Simon Hall was found to have killed himself in his cell at HMP Wayland on February 23, 2014.

Mr Hall, who was 36 when he died, was convicted in 2003 of murdering pensioner Joan Albert at her home in Boydlands, Capel St Mary, in December 2001.

Mr Hall, formerly of Hill House Road, Ipswich, insisted he was innocent for more than 10 years but finally confessed his guilt to his wife while he was in Hollesley Bay Open Prison in July 2013.

A post-mortem earlier found that the medical cause of death was hanging, but the inquest was held to determine if this was intentional or not.

The jury reached a conclusion of suicide.

The inquest had previously heard how the Suffolk murderer told a prison psychologist 'this is really getting to me', after being returned to a secure jail.

A few months later, in February 2014, he died in his cell at Thetford's HMP Wayland.

His wife had told the Norwich Coroner's Court inquest she felt her husband had not been getting adequate help and support in jail before his death.

Mrs Hall also said she had felt betrayed after he confessed to Mrs Albert's killing.

Hall, formerly of Hill House Road, Ipswich, was found hanging at Wayland shortly before 6am on February 23, 2014. He had previously taken two overdoses while at Hollesley Bay.