They were an ordinary-looking couple -- a stock clerk and a typist. Between 1963 and 1965, they killed at least five children and teenagers, burying several of their victims on the moors outside Manchester.
Who They Were
Ian Brady, then in his mid-20s, and Myra Hindley, in her early 20s, met while working together at a chemical company in Manchester, England. Over the following years, they killed at least five victims, aged 10 to 17, burying several of them on Saddleworth Moor in northwestern England -- giving the case its name.
The Victims
Their victims included Pauline Reade, 16; John Kilbride, 12; Keith Bennett, 12; Lesley Ann Downey, 10; and Edward Evans, 17. We are not detailing the specific circumstances of the killings, given the ages of several of the victims.
The Arrest
The couple was caught after Hindley''s brother-in-law, David Smith, witnessed Brady kill Edward Evans and was pressured into helping move the body. Shaken, Smith went home and told his wife -- Hindley''s sister -- and the two contacted police, leading to Brady and Hindley''s arrest.
Trial
By the time of their 1966 trial, capital punishment had recently been abolished in Britain, meaning the maximum sentence available was life imprisonment. Both were convicted and sentenced to life. Investigators recovered evidence during the investigation, including an audio recording, that was presented at trial and left a lasting impact on those who reviewed it; we are not describing its contents further.
Decades in Custody
Myra Hindley made repeated attempts over the following decades to secure parole, none successful; she died in prison in November 2002. Ian Brady was later transferred to a high-security psychiatric hospital, where he remained until his death in May 2017 at age 79.
Keith Bennett
Of their five known victims, Keith Bennett''s remains have never been found, despite decades of searches on the moors, including efforts assisted by information Brady provided before his death.
FAQ
How many victims did Brady and Hindley have?
They were convicted in connection with at least five murders of children and teenagers between 1963 and 1965.
Are all the victims'' remains accounted for?
No. Keith Bennett''s remains have never been found despite extensive searches.
Did either of them die in prison?
Myra Hindley died in prison in 2002. Ian Brady died in a secure psychiatric hospital in 2017.