Moors Murder victim’s family ask to see Brady’s cases
MOORS Murderer Ian Brady had two locked briefcases containing “personal papers” removed from his hospital room hours before his death, an inquest has revealed.
The cases, thought to contain maps and letters relating to his killing spree, are the last hope for clues to the whereabouts of Keith Bennett, the third victim.
He was 12 years old when he was abducted and killed by Brady and Myra Hindley, his accomplice. His body has never been recovered, despite re- peated pleas by his family to the killer.
Brady and Hindley claimed five young lives before they were jailed for life in May 1966. The coroner’s court heard that Brady had asked for locked briefcases to be removed from his room at Ashworth High Secure Hospi- tal hours before his death at 6.02pm.
Keith Bennett’s brother, Alan, called for the briefcases to be released to the victims’ families and police. John Ainley, Mr Bennett’s lawyer, said: “They would want the contents of that to be shared with the police and with Alan Bennett immediately. I will be asking Mr Makin [Brady’s lawyer] if he will have a meeting with me and Alan Bennett to see if there is any information that would be helpful to Alan Bennett. That has not been offered to us as yet.”
Winnie Johnson, Keith’s mother, died in 2012, never able to bury her son despite pleading with his killers.
“It would seem very insensitive if that information wasn’t shared with the police and the families” Mr Ainley added. “I’m hopeful that the executors will do the right thing so that the family can find Keith’s remains.”
The inquest at Bootle Town Hall, Merseyside, concluded that Brady died on May 15 of natural causes. Burial plans for the serial killer remain a mystery. Christopher Sumner, senior coroner for Sefton, had previously refused to release Brady’s body until he was given assurances the killer’s ashes would not be spread on Saddleworth Moor, where three of his five victims were found.
Brady’s body was kept under police guard until it was released to Robin Makin, his lawyer, on May 18, after he said there was “no likelihood” the ashes would be scattered on the moor.
Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Noir Thomas said that at 12.30pm on May 15 medics concluded Brady, who suffered from lung disease emphysema, was nearing death.
He told the inquest yesterday: “He asked for his solicitor to be notified and requested that his locked briefcases be removed from his room.
“These were sealed by security staff and locked in the director of security’s office.”
A spokesman for the Liverpoolbased solicitor’s office said Mr Makin was on holiday and would not be commenting.