‘No likelihood’ of child killer’s ashes being spread on moors

INQUEST: Body of Ian Brady, who died of heart failure, to be released today

Ian Brady’s lawyer says there is “no likelihood” his ashes will be spread on Saddleworth Moor, an inquest has heard.

Senior coroner Christopher Sumner told the hearing at Southport Town Hall the body of the 79-year-old Moors Murderer would be released to the executor of his will, solicitor Robin Makin, at 2pm today.

The inquest was told the body is being held under police guard until it is released. The inquest was opened on Tuesday following Brady’s death at Ashworth High Secure Hospital at 6.02pm on Monday.

Mr Sumner had asked for assurances the killer’s ashes would not be spread on Saddleworth Moor and that a funeral director and crematorium willing to take the body had been found.

Coroner’s officer Alby Howard Murphy said: “I spoke to Mr Makin this afternoon regarding the hearing yesterday and he was unhappy with the comments that were made in court yesterday and suggested that there is no likelihood that the ashes would be spread on Saddleworth Moor.

“He has said that the comments made about the disposal of ashes, widely reported, are untrue.”

Michael Armstrong, counsel for Merseyside Police, asked for the release of the body to be delayed.

He said: “The deceased’s body is currently under police guard.

“Upon release to the executor the police will no longer be in a position to provide any assurances in respect of the safety of the body.”

He said officers understood there were no suggestions that Mr Makin had made arrangements within the Sefton local authority to have Brady’s body dealt with.

Mr Sumner said he would delay the release of the body for almost 24 hours to allow the police time to “negotiate” with Mr Makin about arrangements.

The hearing was told Brady’s cause of death was cor pulmonale, a form of heart failure.

Picture: PA. Moors Murderer Ian Brady died of heart failure.