THE Chillenden murders were to shock the nation, as a mother and her two children were subjected to a horrific series of events.
As the family walked their dog through a quiet country lane, they were tied up and bludgeoned with a hammer in a completely unprovoked attack that police described as the most horrific and terrible murder they have had the misfortune to come across.
Who is Michael Stone?
Michael Stone is a murderer who killed a mum and her daughter in a crime that shocked the nation.
Stone was born in Tunbridge Wells in 1960, one of five siblings.
His parents divorced when he was a youngster with his mum going on to marry four times.
Stone entered the care system where he was abused both physically and sexually, according to Kent Live.
While still in care he turned to crime and hard drugs, with his police record beginning at the age of 12.
He had served time in prison before the killing with convictions for robbery, burglary, GBH and assault.
How long did Michael Stone get sent to prison for?
The heroin addict, of Gillingham, Kent, carried out the double murder of mum and daughter Lin and Megan Russell, which shocked the nation.
The mum and her two daughters were tied up and beaten with a hammer in what is believed to have been an attempted robbery.
Only Josie miraculously survived.
The appalling crime sparked one of the biggest manhunts in British police history.
Stone, then aged 37, was arrested just over a year after the attack and charged.
He was sentenced to life behind bars after being found guilty at two trials and also lost an appeal.
The basis of his conviction was a confession to a fellow prisoner.
In 2017 a panel of experts, including detectives, lawyers and forensic scientists, have agreed to re-examine evidence.
Their findings were revealed in the two-part documentary, Chillenden Murders.
Sentenced to three life sentences Stone must spend at least 25 years in prison.
His earliest chance of release will be in 2023 when he will be 63.
The evidence against Stone is based on a confession to a fellow prisoner, which he claims never took place.
Lawyers acting for Stone have claimed there is "compelling evidence" linking Levi Bellfield to the Russell killings.
In December 2017 Stone said he'd "rather starve to death than confess to Lin and Megan Russell murders".
Why did Michael Stone kill Lin and Meghan Russell?
Dr Lin Russell 45, and her six-year-old daughter Megan were murdered in a brutal hammer attack on July 9, 1996.
They were walking home down a quiet country lane, with Josie, after a school swimming competition when they were set upon.
The mum and daughter were tied up, blindfolded and beaten to death.
Josie was also left for dead.
Stone maintains his innocence to this day.
The evidence against Stone is based on a confession to a fellow prisoner, which he claims never took place.
Lawyers acting for Stone have claimed there is "compelling evidence" linking Levi Bellfield to the Russell killings.
In December 2017 Stone said he'd "rather starve to death than confess to Lin and Megan Russell murders".
This week The Sun revealed new evidence has been re-discovered — and DNA tests could prove beyond doubt whether or not convicted Michael Stone, 60, was guilty of the killings.
His barrister Mark McDonald told The Sun: “For ten years, police have been denying they had the lace, and now at long last they’ve found it.
“Michael Stone is hopeful the DNA tests will lead to the real perpetrator being found.”
The 99cm black bootlace was dropped by the killer at the scene after being used to tie up one of Lin’s two daughters.
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Where is Michael Stone now?
Michael Stone currently is incarcerated in HMP Frankland in Durham, held as a category A prisoner.
He was eligible for parole in July 2022, but he refused the opportunity as he still professes his innocence.
His sister told the Mirror “If he applied for parole it would mean he would be admitting his guilt and he absolutely refuses to do that because he did not commit the crime.”
There have been calls for a force other than Kent police to re-investigate the case in the hope that her brother's innocence can be proven beyond doubt.
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