Shocking video footage has captured the moment when a British national was apprehended by authorities in Spain after evading capture for 17 months. William Hunter, aged 34, fled Portugal in 2022 after fatally stabbing his roommate in the Algarve region, triggering an extensive manhunt. With coordinated efforts led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), he was finally arrested in the popular tourist spot of Alicante.
The Guardia Civil officers made the arrest last week, and now Portuguese authorities are moving to extradite Hunter across the border to serve a 16-year sentence for killing his 22-year-old roommate, Elliot Mulligan, in an Albufeira apartment in April 2022.
Law enforcement agencies exchanged intelligence and information to locate Hunter, with the NCA’s international liaison officers playing a crucial role in orchestrating the search. The NCA, along with the Guardia Civil’s fugitive team, Portuguese Judicial Police, and Merseyside Police, dedicated months of effort to facilitate the arrest, while also providing support to Elliot Mulligan’s grieving family.
Convicted of murder in May 2023, Hunter appealed the Portuguese court’s decision and was released on bail in April 2024 pending the appeal outcome. However, he violated his bail conditions and fled, triggering a widespread multi-agency manhunt that culminated in his apprehension. Hunter is currently in custody in Spain as extradition proceedings unfold.
Gill Duggan, Head of Europe at the NCA, expressed sympathy for Elliot’s family and emphasized the relentless pursuit of justice for him. Detective Superintendent Mark Drew of Merseyside Police highlighted the collaborative effort that led to Hunter’s arrest, underscoring their commitment to working with partners to apprehend fugitives and ensure justice is served. Merseyside Police reaffirmed their dedication to international cooperation in tracking down criminals and stressed the importance of cross-border intelligence-sharing in apprehending fugitives.
