Moors murders: police search Saddleworth moor amid reports of ‘skull found’; Keith Bennett’s brother informed

Greater Manchester police are searching Saddleworth Moor today after reports of human remains found in the area.

Officers are due to exhume an area where “suspected skeletal remains have been found including what experts believe to be a child’s upper jaw with a full set of teeth,” according to a report in the Daily Mail.

The development comes nearly 60 years after Keith Bennett was murdered by serial killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley - one of five young people slain by the notorious Moors Murderers.

The 12-year-old was last seen on 16 June, 1964, making his way to his gran’s house - but his remains have never been found.

His devoted mum Winnie died in 2012 without knowing where her son was buried, and Hindley and Brady went to their graves without sharing the location.

Author Russell Edwards has spent seven years with the help of experts trying to find Keith’s burial place, and he now believes his team have found a child’s skull - and he has passed his evidence onto police for investigation.

Keith’s brother Alan has also been informed. Alan posted on Facebook today: “Nothing has been found on the moor as yet, despite all the headlines.”

Officers in white CSI suits have been pictured on the moor this afternoon beside a blue tent.

What have police said?

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.

“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.”