Dennis Nilsen, Britain's second worst serial killer, dies in prison aged 72

The serial killer Dennis Nilsen, known as the Muswell Hill Murderer, has died in prison aged 72. Nilsen, who admitted butchering 15 young men during a killing spree in the 1970s and 1980s, was jailed for life in 1983. 

The former civil servant, 72, executed and dismembered many of his victims at his home in Muswell Hill, north London.

Nilsen, originally from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is second only to Harold Shipman in terms of the number of murders committed.

He was convicted of six counts of murder and two of attempted murder and jailed in 1983, with a recommendation he serve a minimum of 25 years.

It is understood that authorities believe Nilsen died from natural causes.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "Dennis Andrew Nilsen, date of birth November 23 1945, died in custody at HMP Full Sutton on Saturday, May 12 2018.

"As with all deaths in custody, there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman."