How DNA innovation brought justice for Victoria Hall, more than 25 years on
Case study from East of England
Specialist Prosecutor, Complex Casework Unit
“I worked on one of the most high-profile murder cases in the East of England for six years from early 2020. The 1999 murder of Victoria Hall had remained unsolved for more than two decades until a pioneering tool in DNA analysis pinned serial killer Steve Wright to the murder.
“After a failed attempt to kidnap a 22-year-old woman on 18 September 1999, Wright kidnapped and murdered 17-year-old Victoria the following day.
“I knew this case was significant from day one. We prosecuted for Victoria and her family, her life mattered and they deserved justice.
“Our case was bolstered by critical DNA evidence made possible because of pioneering new forensic techniques which along with extensive circumstantial evidence and a successful bad character application gave Wright little choice but to plead guilty.
“I did my own research to fully understand the forensic techniques, and to make sure I could understand any defence expert report which may challenge this critical evidence.
“When Wright finally pleaded guilty to a murder committed over 25 years ago, it was a remarkable moment - particularly as he’d never admitted his guilt for the five murders he was already serving a whole life sentence for.
“Wright was sentenced to life imprisonment for Victoria’s murder in February 2026, with a minimum term of 40 years.”