EVIL Babes in the Wood killer Russell Bishop should “rot in hell” for the twisted double slaying, the parents of his victims have raged.

       Bishop, 55, died in hospital last night just hours after being rushed there from top security HMP Frankland, Co Durham.

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       'Babes in the Wood' child killer Russel Bishop has died Credit: EPA 5

       Karen's mum Michelle (left) has said she hopes the killer will 'rot in hell' and Nicola's mum (right) says they will shed no tears Credit: PA:Press Association 5

       Nine-year-old Karen Hadaway was killed in the notorious 1986 attack Credit: Alamy

       The monster had escaped justice for 32 years after murdering nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway in 1986.

       Michell Johnson, Karen’s mum, has blasted her daughter's killer, saying he should “rot in hell” for his “evil actions”.

       The 64-year-old said: “May you rot in hell for all eternity you evil wicked monster and I hope your family suffer in the same way as you made me and my family suffer for so long when you took the life of my beautiful nine-year-old daughter, Karen, and her friend Nicky.

       “He put us through decades of pain and grief due to his evil actions. The suffering we have had to endure has been unimaginable.”

       “He has gone. It was a bad day when that b**tard was born. I don’t know whether this brings any closure for me but at least he is gone, that’s all I can say.”

       “He was an evil, evil man - a monster. He killed my daughter and ruined the lives of so many people.”

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       In a statement, the family of Nicky Fellows said: “No tears will be shed by our family but we are pleased the cretin has gone to hell and we got justice for our girls before that happened.

       “He had every opportunity to admit his guilt but the coward took it with him.”

       Barrie Fellows, Nicola's dad, added: "I was awakened by a call from my niece with the great news early this morning.

       "My first thought was 'Good riddance and I hope the b**tard rots in hell.'

       "But I just wish he had suffered longer. He deserved to for the pain he caused our families."

       The families of Bishop's victims begged him to use his final weeks to tell them why he had committed the murders.

       Michelle said she was told Bishop had terminal cancer last year and the two families reached out to give him a chance to explain why he had murdered the two girls in 1987.

       She added: “We reached out. It might have given him peace of mind to tell us but he didn’t say a thing - not a thing.

       He is past tense now. He is finally out of our lives and I don’t think anyone I know will shed a tear for him.

       Michelle Johnson

       “I still can’t believe that his family stood by him all those years - a child murderer - and I have absolutely no sympathy for them whatsoever.

       "His mother, his brothers - the whole lot of them. How could they do that?

       "His brothers and relatives were allowed to bring up their children and live their lives while we had to mourn our Karen.”

       She said she felt “numb” when she received the call to tell him the double killer had died.

       “I got a call earlier today from Victim Support who told me he had died in hospital and I thought to myself: ‘Good. At least he can’t bring suffering to anyone else now.’

       “He is past tense now. He is finally out of our lives and I don’t think anyone I know will shed a tear for him.”

       Bishop was prosecuted for the notorious attack, but walked free from court in 1987 thanks to a catalogue of blunders.

       DNA evidence finally saw him caged in 2018, but last year we revealed how he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

       The disease quickly spread despite surgery, and by October he was being given palliative care.

       'TORMENT'

       Bishop went on to abduct and sexually assault a girl of seven in a near identical attack and was jailed for attempted murder in 1990.

       Last night a source said: "Bishop spent his last weeks in relative peace - a world away from the torment he has caused the girls' families. There will be few tears shed for his passing."

       Bishop was taken to hospital yesterday after his health deteriorated rapidly in prison.

       Sources said that he was rushed to hospital after suffering from breathing difficulties and passed away shortly before 9pm last night.

       A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “HMP Frankland prisoner Russell Bishop died in hospital on January 20.

       "The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed.”

       The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman routinely investigates all deaths in custody.

       Bishop's own relatives were informed overnight of his death, which came just three weeks before his 56th birthday.

       But his death brings to an end the chance to investigate him over any other linked attacks.

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       Nicola Fellows was also killed by Russell Bishop in 1986 aged 9 Credit: Alamy 5

       The double killer was finally convicted of the Babes in the Wood murders in 2018 but was first accused in 1987 Credit: PA:Press Association

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