Few crimes in British history have left as deep a scar as the Moors Murders, a series of child killings carried out by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in the 1960s. More than half a century later, their names remain synonymous with cruelty, manipulation, and the darkest depths of human behaviour.

Who were Ian Brady and Myra Hindley?

Ian Brady was born in Glasgow in 1938—a troubled child who later became fascinated with Nazi ideology and violent pornography. Myra Hindley, born in Manchester in 1942, was described by those who knew her as bright and lively before meeting Brady. Their relationship became toxic almost immediately, as Brady exerted control and influence over Hindley, drawing her into his own sadistic fantasies.

Together, they formed one of the most infamous criminal duos in the UK.

The Crimes

Between 1963 and 1965, Brady and Hindley kidnapped, tortured, and murdered five children and teenagers:

• Pauline Reade (16)
• John Kilbride (12)
• Keith Bennett (12)
• Lesley Ann Downey (10)
• Edward Evans (17)

The bodies of their young victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor, an isolated stretch of land near Manchester. Using the moors as a burial site became central to the case’s notoriety, giving the crimes their enduring name.

Perhaps the most horrifying detail of the case was the tape recording of Lesley Ann Downey’s torture, discovered during the police investigation. It remains one of the most disturbing pieces of evidence in British criminal history.

How They Were Caught

The couple’s final murder in October 1965—Edward Evans—proved to be their downfall. Myra’s brother-in-law, David Smith, witnessed the killing and later reported it to the police. A search of Brady and Hindley’s home uncovered damning evidence, including photographs of the moors and the aforementioned audio recording.

The Trial and Sentencing

In 1966, Brady and Hindley were convicted of multiple murders. Brady was sentenced to life imprisonment, while Hindley, initially sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, was later deemed too dangerous ever to be released. Hindley served 36 years in prison until her death in 2002 due to pneumonia. Brady spent 19 years in prison, where he asked to live in solitary confinement. In 1985, he was diagnosed as a psychopath and was sent to a psychiatric hospital, where he stayed until his death in 2017.

The Lingering Legacy

Keith Bennett’s remains were never found. His mother, Winnie Johnson, campaigned for decades in the hope of recovering her son. Winnie Johnson died in 2012, never recovering her son. To this day, Keith’s remains have not been found.

The Moors Murders serve as a grim reminder of how dangerous human beings can become when cruelty meets opportunity. Remembering the victims—Pauline, John, Keith, Lesley Ann, and Edward—matters more than remembering the names of their killers. Their lives, tragically cut short, deserve to remain at the forefront of this history.