Shocking video footage has captured the moment a British national was arrested by authorities in Spain after being on the run for 17 months. William Hunter, aged 34, committed a fatal stabbing of his roommate in Portugal in 2022 before fleeing, triggering a widespread search operation. The arrest of Hunter in Alicante was made by Guardia Civil officers last week, with plans for his extradition to face a 16-year sentence for the murder of 22-year-old Elliot Mulligan in Albufeira.
Collaborative efforts between various law enforcement agencies, including the National Crime Agency (NCA), led to the apprehension of Hunter, with significant involvement from NCA’s international liaison officers. The prolonged investigative work involved joint operations by the NCA, Guardia Civil, Portuguese Judicial Police, and Merseyside Police to support the arrest process. Hunter, previously convicted of murder in May 2023, absconded while on bail awaiting an appeal decision, sparking the manhunt that led to his capture.
Currently in custody in Spain, Hunter faces extradition proceedings while NCA’s Head of Europe, Gill Duggan, expressed sympathy for Elliot’s family and emphasized the relentless pursuit of justice. Detective Superintendent Mark Drew of Merseyside Police highlighted the collaborative effort in capturing fugitives and bringing them to justice, emphasizing ongoing support for Elliot’s family. Merseyside Police reiterated their commitment to international cooperation in tracking down criminals, underscoring the critical role of cross-border intelligence sharing in fugitive apprehension.