A QUADRUPLE murderer who slaughtered a family at a dinner party has died in prison.
George Stephenson was jailed for murdering four people, raping a woman, and a robbery at Burgate House in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in September 1986.
News Group Newspapers LtdStephenson would have been eligible to apply for parole later this year[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdThe killer targeted the family after working as their handyman[/caption]
The 73-year-old died in hospital on April 20 while carrying out his sentence at the high security HMP Full Sutton, near York.
The killer, who was 36 at the time, had been locked up for a minimum term of 25 years but this was later increased to 35 years.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “HMP Full Sutton prisoner George Stephenson died in hospital on 20 April 2025.
“As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
Stephenson, from Coventry, had worked for the family as a handyman.
He was employed there with his wife of 10 months Fiona, but was fired after he beat her.
Weeks later he targeted his victims with two other men, brothers John and George Daly.
On September 1 1986 the men stormed a dinner party between Joseph Cleaver, 82, his disabled wife, Hilda, also 82.
Their son son Thomas, 49, his wife Wendy, 46, were also in attendance, along with a live-in nurse called Margaret Murphy, 70.
The monster doused Joseph, Hilda Cleaver, Tom and Maggie in petrol before he burned them alive.
Wendy was raped in a separate bedroom before being strangled to death by John Daly.
The victims were all bound and gagged before being set on fire.
Stephenson and the Daly brothers fled with shotguns, a rifle and other stolen items.
A huge manhunt was launched before Stephenson turned himself in at a campsite.
The callous serial killer had been enjoying pints and smoking cannabis with two women at the time.
A jury later found Stephenson guilty of four of the murders, rape and robbery.
John Daly, who admitted rape and robbery, was found guilty of murdering all five.
George Daly, who had admitted rape and robbery, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Joseph, Hilda and Thomas.
Burgate House was demolished after the trial ended.
Stephenson would have been eligible to apply for parole later this year.
The 73-year-old lost an earlier appeal in December 2023.
He had around 70 previous convictions at the time he was locked up for the quadruple murder.
They ranged from burglaries to motor offences, drug possession, and obtaining property by deception and violence.
News Group Newspapers LtdGeorge Stephenson, 73, has died while carrying out a 35 year sentence for a quadruple murder[/caption]
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