Author Researching Decades Old Murder May Have Finally Found the Victim’s Body

In 1964, a twelve-year-old boy named Keith Bennett went missing on the way home from visiting his grandmother. He was kidnapped by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, who kidnapped, sexually assaulted, tortured and murdered five children over the span of two years in the 1960s. The bodies of the five children were recovered Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines near Manchester, but Bennett’s was never found. However, an author researching the case for a planned book may have discovered the long sought after body, and the Greater Manchester Police are investigating.

Bennett was abducted on 16 June 1964, with the other victims being Pauline Reade, 16, who disappeared on 12 July 1963; John Kilbride, 12, who was taken in November of the same year; Lesley Ann Downey, 10, who was snatched from a funfair on Boxing Day 1964; and Edward Evans, 17, who was murdered with an axe in October 1965. While Brady confessed to Bennett’s murder, he stated he could not remember where the child was buried. Both Brady and Hindley were sentenced to life in prison following their arrests, with Brady dying in a high-security hospital in 2017, and Hindley dying in 2002, still incarcerated.

While the murderers were brought to justice, the mystery of where Bennett’s remains were remained unsolved. Bennett’s mother, Winnie Johnson, spent her life trying to find her son’s body, wanting to give him a Christian burial. Johnson never lived to see her son found, dying of bowel cancer in 2012. Just weeks before her death, she pleaded with Brady to reveal the location of her son, but he either could not, or would not say. As sky.com reports, Johnson’s friend, Pam Ayres said: “She never gave up, I expect to her dying breath she wouldn’t have given up. Certainly, with every bit of her spirit and her will, she wouldn’t rescind that power to those people who took him.”

Bennett’s brother, Alan, stated he has been told of the potential lead, with his lawyer saying: “My client is keeping an open mind on the latest report having regard to earlier such reports that have raised expectations but not resulted in finding Keith’s body.

“Naturally, the family are hoping that Keith has been found after all these years and their tireless efforts to find closure.

“I understand Greater Manchester Police are investigating a site of interest but that it will take some weeks to establish whether there is a connection with Keith.”

The lead was discovered by an author who was researching the case for a book. He reported his information to the police. Martin Bottomley, its review officer, said the author had “discovered what he believes are potential human remains in a remote location on the Moors”.

He took officers to the location on Thursday afternoon, and it was assessed that night.

“This morning, specialist officers have begun initial exploration activity,” Mr Bottomley said. “It is far too early to be certain whether human remains have been discovered and this is expected to take some time.”