Killer who stabbed roommate to loss of life then fled nation lastly cuffed by cops in Spain
William Hunter, who was convicted of killing his roommate Elliot Mulligan, has been extradited back to Portugal after being on the run for 17 months. He was cuffed in Spain
A convicted murderer who knifed his flatmate to death has been extradited back to Portugal following a massive European manhunt.
William Hunter, believed to be from Northern Ireland but previously of West Derby, received a 16-year jail term in 2023 for the killing of Elliot Mulligan in an Albufeira flat in April 2022. Hunter, now 34, appealed the Portuguese court’s verdict and, whilst awaiting the result, was freed on bail in April 2024 after his maximum custody period expired.
Hunter absconded from the country despite warnings from Croxteth-born Mr Mulligan’s mum, who told the ECHO: “He will be out and, with nothing to lose, free to commit more potentially hideous crimes.”
Hunter was finally captured by Guardia Civil officers in Alicante, Spain, on September 15 after 17 months as a fugitive in a joint operation involving the National Crime Agency (NCA), Portuguese Judicial Police and Merseyside Police, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The ECHO revealed that Hunter, who has been held in Spain since his capture, was returned to Portuguese authorities on November 13 to commence serving his prison sentence.
Gill Duggan, of the NCA, previously said: “Above all, our thoughts remain with Elliot’s family, who have endured an unimaginable loss and the painful reality that the man responsible had not been held accountable for his violent actions.
“Our pursuit of Hunter was relentless, driven by a deep commitment to securing justice for those who love Elliot. With thanks to our partners at Merseyside Police and in Spain and Portugal, Hunter is behind bars where he belongs, and where he will remain for a long time to come.”
The NCA released footage of the moment Hunter was arrested. In the video, it shows officers zooming in on a luxury apartment complex before jumping to doorbell footage showing Hunter leaving with a suitcase and black bag.
Around 12 seconds into the clip, Hunter can be seen face down on the floor surrounded by undercover police officers. He is then handcuffed and helped up off the ground before being searched and placed into a car.
Hunter is also expected to face charges over other crimes including an armed robbery at a jeweller’s in the northern Portuguese city of Esponsende at the start of 2025.
An inquest in Liverpool heard that Mr Mulligan, 22, had been staying with Hunter, then 31, at the Correeira Luxury Residence from April 6, 2022. In the early hours of April 25, the pair got into an argument and Hunter launched a vicious attack, stabbing Mr Mulligan approximately 24 times.
He managed to escape the flat by jumping from a balcony and walked several metres across the garden before collapsing. Emergency services were alerted just after 6.30am, and pronounced him dead at the scene a short time later.
Hunter is believed to have scarpered from Portugal after being let out of prison on a technicality while appealing his murder conviction, although local authorities haven’t clarified why he was allowed back on the streets before he absconded.
Mr Mulligan’s mum Gina previously told the ECHO that Hunter could “only be described as inhuman and evil”.
Speaking about her son, she said: “Elliot was a free spirit, adored by his mum, sisters and niece. He was loved beyond words by his close family and many friends. Elliot lived in the moment and embraced life with positivity, a lover not a fighter with a heart of gold.
“He was a peacekeeper who would never look for aggravation. His smile would light up a room and his laugh will never be forgotten. He was a loyal, kind and gentle soul. The devastation of losing him is something we cannot comprehend.”
Merseyside Police had earlier confirmed that they were providing support to Mr Mulligan’s family.
