Search icon

Crime

30th Sep 2022

Moors Murders: Search resumes for Keith Bennett’s body after ‘potential human remains’ found

Steve Hopkins

Keith Bennett’s body has never been found

Police have resumed a search for the body of one of the Moors Murderers’ victims after “potential human remains” were found on moorland by an author researching the infamous case.

Keith Bennett, 12, was one of five children tortured and killed by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in the 1960s, but his body has never been recovered.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it had received information about a “site of interest” on Saddleworth Moor.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, GMP Force Review Officer Martin Bottomley said it had received information the previous day, around 11.25am, by the “representative of an author who has been researching the murder of Keith Bennett, a victim of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley”.

Following direct contact with the author, Bottomley said police were informed that he had “discovered what he believes are potential human remains in a remote location on the Moors”.

The author agreed to meet with officers Thursday afternoon to “elaborate on his find and direct us to a site of interest”.

“The site was assessed late last night and, this morning, specialist officers have begun initial exploration activity,” Bottomley said.

“We are in the very early stages of assessing the information which has been brought to our attention but have made the decision to act on it in line with a normal response to a report of this kind.”

Bottomley said it is “far too early to be certain whether human remains have been discovered and this is expected to take some time”.

The statement concluded: “We have always said that GMP would act on any significant information which may lead to the recovery of Keith and reunite him with his family.

“As such, we have informed his brother of the potential development – he does not wish to be contacted at this time and asks that his privacy is respected.”

Related links: