Moors Murderer Offers To Help Farther Search (Press, 6 December 1986)

In a shocking development regarding one of Britain's most infamous criminal cases, Myra Hindley, a convicted child murderer, has expressed a willingness to assist police in the search for additional victims, more than two decades after her and her lover Ian Brady's crimes became notorious. Hindley, now aged 43 and serving a life sentence since 1966 for her role in the murders of two children, stated that a poignant letter from the mother of one of the missing children had motivated her to come forward. This mother’s distress deeply affected Hindley, prompting her to offer aid in locating the remains of Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett, both of whom vanished in the 1960s but whose bodies have never been recovered. Hindley and Brady were responsible for the infamous Moors murders, which horrified the British public. Their gruesome actions included torturing and killing Lesley Anne Downey, aged 10, and John Kilbride, aged 12, with the case continuing to evoke outrage and sadness long after it originally unfolded. Despite the passage of time, detectives have been unable to definitively close the case. In a statement from her prison cell, Hindley described herself as a "deeply religious Roman Catholic" and conveyed her hope for eventual forgiveness for her past actions. She mentioned that she had searched her heart and memory to assist police, which she hoped would lead people to understand the full nature of her involvement. Detective Michael Topping, who is managing the case, reported that Hindley appeared genuinely distressed by the mother's letter and demonstrated a sincere desire to help. Meanwhile, Ian Brady, aged 47 and also serving a life sentence—currently confined to a secure mental hospital—has also been in contact with the police regarding the case. Following Hindley's statement, police have resumed searching the Moorlands in Lancashire, employing specially trained dogs to detect buried remains, amid hopes that the preserved moorland peat might still hold evidence. Despite her plea to help resolve the mystery, Hindley is acutely aware of the potential public backlash and the risk it poses to her chances of parole, a subject that has remained contentious since her incarceration. Her previous attempts to gain early release have incited anger from the victims’ families and public outrage, resulting in widespread opposition to her freedom. The discourse surrounding Hindley's possible release has sparked lively debate, particularly regarding a campaign led by Lord Longford, who argues for her release, claiming she has experienced remorse. In light of her latest developments, however, Hindley acknowledges that her renewed involvement with the police may intensify public animosity toward her, thereby jeopardising her chances for a more lenient sentence. As the investigation into the Moors murders continues to unfold, the legacy of this case, which has captivated and horrified Britain, persists with renewed interest as authorities hope to bring closure to the families of the missing children.

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