Lorraine Thorpe was born in 1994 and grew up in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Her early life was deeply troubled—marked by exposure to drug abuse, neglect, and extreme poverty. She was often seen roaming the streets and was known to social services. Lorraine had no formal education past the age of 13 and became entangled in a circle of older, violent alcoholics and drug users. One of the closest figures in her life was 41-year-old Paul Clarke, a fellow drinker who eventually became her co-defendant in the murders.

In early August 2009, 15-year-old Lorraine Thorpe and 41-year-old Paul Clarke murdered 41-year-old Rosalyn Hunt after subjecting her to days of physical abuse. Hunt was tortured in a filthy flat in Ipswich, where she suffered fatal internal injuries from being repeatedly kicked, stamped on, and beaten. She later died of her wounds, and her body was discovered with signs of prolonged suffering.

Just over a week later, on August 10, 2009, Thorpe and Clarke turned on Lorraine’s own father, Desmond Thorpe. Fearing he might report them to the police for Hunt’s murder, they beat him to death in his flat. The attack was equally brutal, involving sustained violence. When police arrested Lorraine, she showed little emotion and gave conflicting statements.

In August 2010, Lorraine was convicted of both murders and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 14 years. Clarke, her older accomplice, was given a life sentence with a minimum of 27 years. At the time of her conviction, Lorraine Thorpe became the youngest female double murderer in modern British history. As of October 2023, her request for parole was denied, and she remains in custody at HM Prison Foston Hall.