A woman has come forward with a harrowing account of being stalked by serial killer Steve Wright days before he murdered 17-year-old Victoria Hall in 1999. The survivor, who prefers to remain anonymous, believes that Wright was also attempting to abduct her during a night out in Felixstowe, Suffolk, just days prior to Victoria’s tragic disappearance.
The Stalking Incident
On 16 September 1999, the woman was enjoying an evening with friends when they became aware of a man following them. After their original plan to visit the Bandbox nightclub fell through due to a private event, the group decided to head home around midnight. It was during this walk that they noticed Wright, then 67 years old, observing them from a bench.
Describing the encounter, she recalled, “He had a hood covering him, it was a bit strange and it looked a bit unusual.” As they walked, the man trailed them on the opposite side of the street, making his presence unmistakably felt by stopping whenever they did. Feeling increasingly uneasy, they checked to see if he had vanished before parting ways near the Orwell Hotel.
“I sort of creeped around the corner, subtly, quietly creeping and then he jumped out from behind somewhere and he was right there,” she recounted. The group fled in a taxi, shaken but not overly alarmed at the time, as it was a route they had taken frequently.
The Tragic Aftermath
Just two days following this incident, Victoria Hall was reported missing after a night out in Felixstowe. The survivor and her friends promptly contacted the police, convinced their experience with Wright was connected to Victoria’s disappearance. However, the woman had moved away for university by that time and never spoke directly with the authorities.
Tragically, Victoria’s body was discovered five days later in a water-filled ditch in Creeting St Peter, approximately 25 miles from where she was last seen. Years passed before Wright was charged with murdering five women in Ipswich in 2006. When she learned of his conviction in 2008, the woman recognised the chilling connection to her own experience, stating it felt “weird” to know they had encountered the same man.
Renewed Investigation and Charges
In 2024, Wright was charged with the murder and kidnapping of Victoria Hall, in addition to the attempted abduction of another young woman, Emily Doherty, who had also been out in Felixstowe during that fateful weekend. Emily had narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping just a day after the survivor’s own encounter with Wright.
Wright’s recent admission of guilt at a hearing at the Old Bailey has reignited discussions surrounding his actions during that period. The survivor reflected on the chilling implications, stating, “I think he was just looking at which way did people go home? Did they separate? He was getting a picture of people’s behaviour.”
Despite believing that Wright may be linked to other unsolved crimes, the police have yet to confirm any further investigations into his involvement in additional cases.
Why it Matters
The survivor’s account sheds light on the terrifying reality of stalking and the potential dangers that can lurk in everyday situations. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened awareness and safety measures, particularly for young people enjoying their nights out. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of trusting one’s instincts and reporting suspicious behaviour, as it could save lives. As the legal proceedings against Wright continue, the impact of his heinous actions resonates deeply within the community, underscoring the imperative to address violence against women and ensure justice for victims.
