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Keith Bennett: ‘No items of interest’ found in police search for Moors Murders victim

Officers from Greater Manchester Police continue a search on Saddleworth Moor for the remains of the body of 12-year-old Keith Bennett - PA
Officers from Greater Manchester Police continue a search on Saddleworth Moor for the remains of the body of 12-year-old Keith Bennett - PA

A five-day police search for the body of Moors Murders victim Keith Bennett, launched after a tip-off from an amateur sleuth, has yet to find any human remains.

Russell Edwards, a true crime author, told police he thought he may have found the final resting place of the 12-year-old, murdered by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in 1964.

He claimed to have come across what appeared to be a skull during his search of Saddleworth Moor, a finding that, he said, was lent credence by analysis of soil samples.

Mr Edwards told the Daily Mail he had been exploring the theory that Brady, who died in 2017, was trying to create the shape of a swastika with the burial sites of his victims.

The author has previously published a book with findings claiming to unmask Jack the Ripper.

Greater Manchester Police launched what was described as a “meticulous” search for Bennett on Friday.

The force said the soil samples obtained by Mr Edwards had been sent to “accredited experts for analysis”, which is ongoing.

Keith Bennett - PA
Keith Bennett - PA
Ian Brady and Myra Hindley - PA
Ian Brady and Myra Hindley - PA

Despite the lack of concrete evidence for Mr Edwards’ claims, the force said it had deployed “additional resources” to complete a “more extensive examination of the area”.

Det Ch Insp Cheryl Hughes, the senior investigating officer, said: “Forensic archaeologists and forensic anthropologists have now completed a methodical archaeological excavation and examination of the area previously dug and refilled by the member of the public. No bones, fabric or items of interest were recovered from the soil.

“These accredited and certified forensic experts are now continuing with a methodical and controlled excavation of the area immediately surrounding the original site to provide a higher level of assurance of the presence or absence of any items of interest. Further soil samples have been taken for analysis, but at this time there is no visible evidence to suggest the presence of human remains. The scene examination is ongoing.”

Police say soil samples have been taken for analysis from the site on Saddleworth Moor - PA
Police say soil samples have been taken for analysis from the site on Saddleworth Moor - PA
A floral tribute left on a rock on Saddleworth Moor - PA
A floral tribute left on a rock on Saddleworth Moor - PA

Alan Bennett, Keith’s brother, called into question the plausibility of the investigation last week, pointing out that police had already excavated deeper than the previous shallow graves of the other victims.

Keith was abducted by Brady and Hindley on his way to visit his grandmother in Manchester on June 16, 1964.

Hindley lured the boy into a van by asking him to help with some boxes, while her lover Brady sat watching from the back seat.

Between July 1963 and Oct 1965, the pair murdered five children before Brady was eventually caught red-handed with the body of their final victim, 17-year-old Edward Evans.

Ms Hughes added the force was “committed to providing Keith’s family with answers following this report”.