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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Sophie Halle-Richards

Police pictured digging for Moors murder victim Keith Bennett after reports skull found

These are the first images of a dig site on Saddleworth Moor following the discovery of a possible human skull.

Police teams are currently searching the area of Moorland up from Saddleworth for the possible remains of Keith Bennett - the final victim of the Moors Murders.

Keith, 12, was snatched 58-years-ago by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley and the case has never been resolved. The bodies of the couple's four other victims have been found, but the location of Mr Bennett has remained a mystery for years.

READ MORE: What were the Moors murders and who were Ian Brady and Myra Hindley?

It's been reported that an author, who has been researching the murder of Keith Bennett in the hope to 'bring peace' to his family, made the discovery.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they have acted on information and have currently set up a dig site on area of moorland in search for Mr Bennett.

Pictures from the scene show a large blue forensic tent erected on a remote area of peatland. Forensic officers in white overalls can be seen searching the nearby surroundings.

The dig site (Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)

GMP Force Review Officer Martin Bottomley said: "At around 11.25am on Thursday 29 September 2022, Greater Manchester Police was contacted 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, we were informed that he had discovered what he believes are potential human remains in a remote location on the Moors and he agreed to meet with officers yesterday 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. 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.

"It is far too early to be certain whether human remains have been discovered and this is expected to take some time.

Police and forensics at the scene (Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)

"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."

The shocking killings were carried out between July 1963 and October 1965, in and around Greater Manchester. Wicked lovers Brady and Myra Hindley, both aged in their 20s, lured children and teenagers to their deaths, then buried them on bleak Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines.

At least four of these victims were sexually assaulted. Their victims were Pauline Reade, 16, John Kilbride, 12, Keith Bennett, 12, Lesley Ann Downey, 10, and Edward Evans, 17.

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