Ian Brady remains one of the most infamous figures in British criminal history. Alongside his accomplice Myra Hindley, he committed a series of murders between 1963 and 1965 that became known as the Moors murders. The crimes shocked the nation due to the youth of the victims and the calculated, deceptive methods used to lure them. This article provides an in-depth look at Brady’s background, his crimes, relationship with Hindley, legal battles, and death.
Who Was Ian Brady and What Was His Background?
Ian Brady was born Ian Duncan Stewart on 2 January 1938 in Glasgow, Scotland. He later changed his surname to Brady. His childhood was marked by an absent father and a mother who placed him in foster care before ultimately raising him alone. He developed a fascination with Nazi ideology and violent crime at an early age, accumulating a criminal record for petty theft as a teenager. In 1951, Brady moved to Manchester to live with his mother, where he worked a series of dead-end jobs before meeting Myra Hindley in 1961. His personality was often described as cold, manipulative, and intellectually arrogant. He was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, though this diagnosis was contested by some psychiatrists.
Key insights into the case include:
- Ian Brady’s case remains one of the most notorious in British criminal history due to the brutality and the involvement of a female accomplice.
- Brady and Hindley lured children to their deaths using trust and deception, burying bodies on Saddleworth Moor in Greater Manchester.
- Brady spent 51 years in prison, most of it in a high-security psychiatric hospital, and died without revealing the location of one missing victim (Keith Bennett).
- Public fascination with the case is fueled by ongoing searches for remains, Brady’s letters from prison, and the ambiguous nature of his relationship with Hindley.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ian Duncan Stewart (legal name changed to Ian Brady) |
| Birth Date | 2 January 1938 |
| Place of Birth | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Date of Death | 15 May 2017 |
| Age at Death | 79 |
| Cause of Death | Complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary heart disease |
| Place of Death | Ashworth High Secure Hospital, Merseyside |
| Years Active | July 1963 – October 1965 |
| Number of Murder Victims | 5 (confirmed) |
| Accomplice | Myra Hindley (died 2002) |
| Sentence | Three concurrent life sentences (whole life order) |
| Parole Status | Never released; declared ‘whole life tariff’ in 1985 |
| Notable Unresolved | Possible sixth victim (Keith Bennett) – body never found |
What Were the Moors Murders and Who Were the Victims?
The Moors murders were a series of killings carried out by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley between July 1963 and October 1965. The victims were five children and teenagers aged between 10 and 17. The name comes from the burial site of the bodies: Saddleworth Moor in the Pennines. The couple used a variety of methods to lure their victims, often asking for help or offering rides. Once at their home or on the moors, the victims were subjected to sexual abuse, torture, and murder. The case gained an extra layer of horror when police discovered photographs and audio recordings of the crimes.
The victims and how they were lured
The confirmed victims were:
- Pauline Reade (16) – lured on her way to a dance.
- John Kilbride (12) – lured from a market.
- Keith Bennett (12) – lured while walking to his grandmother’s house.
- Lesley Ann Downey (10) – abducted from a funfair.
- Edward Evans (17) – lured to the couple’s home and killed there.
The bodies of four victims were recovered from graves on Saddleworth Moor. The body of Keith Bennett has never been found, despite extensive searches that continue to this day. Brady never disclosed the exact location of Bennett’s remains, a fact that has caused enduring pain for the victim’s family.
A forensic psychiatrist who assessed Brady noted the extreme sadism involved in the crimes. The impact of the Moors murders drastically reshaped public awareness around child safety in Britain.
How Did Ian Brady Die and What Happened to Him in Prison?
Brady was arrested on 10 October 1965, shortly after the murder of Edward Evans, when Hindley’s brother-in-law called the police. At trial in 1966, Brady was convicted of three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1985, the Home Secretary imposed a whole life tariff, meaning Brady would never be eligible for parole.
Incarceration and later life
Brady spent decades in prison, initially in standard prisons but from 1985 in Ashworth High Secure Hospital in Merseyside, where he was held under the Mental Health Act. He made several legal attempts to challenge his whole life order, including an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, but all failed. He also went on hunger strikes and engaged in public statements through letters and interviews, often denying remorse.
Cause of death
Ian Brady died on 15 May 2017 at Ashworth Hospital at the age of 79. The cause of death was complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary heart disease. He had refused treatment for his conditions in his final years. His body was cremated and, according to his will, the ashes were scattered in an undisclosed location near Glasgow.
What Was the Relationship Between Ian Brady and Myra Hindley?
Brady met Myra Hindley in 1961 when both worked at a chemical distribution company in Manchester. Hindley was a typist; Brady was a stock clerk. She quickly became infatuated with him and willingly adopted his extreme political beliefs, including his interest in Nazi ideology. They became romantic partners and, later, partners in murder.
The dynamics of the partnership
The extent of Hindley’s active participation versus coercion by Brady has been debated for decades. Brady consistently claimed that Hindley was a full and willing participant in the murders. Records show that she played a crucial role in luring the victims, especially the female children. At trial, the court found her equally culpable. She died in prison in 2002 without having been released. The dynamic of their relationship remains one of the most chilling aspects of the case.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1938, 2 Jan – Ian Brady born in Glasgow.
- 1951 – Brady moves to Manchester with his mother.
- 1961 – Meets Myra Hindley; they become partners in crime.
- 1963, 12 Jul – First murder: Pauline Reade (16) – victim discovered later.
- 1963, 23 Nov – Second murder: John Kilbride (12).
- 1964, 16 Jun – Third murder: Keith Bennett (12) – body never found.
- 1964, 26 Dec – Fourth murder: Lesley Ann Downey (10).
- 1965, 6 Oct – Fifth murder: Edward Evans (17).
- 1965, 10 Oct – Brady and Hindley arrested.
- 1966, May – Convicted at Chester Assizes; sentenced to life imprisonment.
- 1985 – Home Secretary Leon Brittan imposes a ‘whole life’ tariff, meaning Brady will never be released.
- 2002 – Myra Hindley dies in prison.
- 2013, Jul – Brady at Ashworth Hospital; launches legal challenge (fails).
- 2017, 15 May – Ian Brady dies at Ashworth Hospital.
- 2017, 6 Oct – Brady’s ashes scattered near Glasgow (not revealed publicly).
- Ongoing – Searches for Keith Bennett’s remains continue on Saddleworth Moor.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About the Moors Murders
Several facts about the case are firmly established, but important questions remain unresolved.
Established information
- Brady and Hindley murdered five children between 1963 and 1965.
- Brady was sentenced to life imprisonment and was never released.
- Brady died on 15 May 2017 at Ashworth Hospital.
- The bodies of four victims were found on Saddleworth Moor.
- Brady and Hindley were convicted in 1966.
Information that remains unclear
- The location of Keith Bennett’s remains – despite many searches, his body has never been found.
- Brady claimed to have killed more people, but no evidence supports this.
- Whether Brady showed genuine remorse – he expressed regret only in limited contexts.
- Exact degree of Myra Hindley’s involvement – Brady claimed she was a full participant, but some argue coercion.
- Details of Brady’s mental state: diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic, but some experts disputed this.
Context and Analysis: Why the Moors Murders Still Haunt Britain
The Moors murders took place in an era when police forces lacked modern forensic tools and coordination across jurisdictions. The couple operated for over two years without detection because their victims came from different areas and the bodies were hidden in remote moorland. The trial of Brady and Hindley in 1966 was a media sensation, generating enormous public outrage. This coverage played a role in the severity of their sentences and the eventual imposition of the whole life tariff. The case also influenced UK police procedures around missing children and evidence gathering. Culturally, the murders have been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries. The legacy of the case continues with the unresolved search for Keith Bennett, whose mother Winnie Johnson spent decades trying to find his body before her own death.
Reactions and Statements from Key Sources
Statements from the victims’ families, especially Winnie Johnson, the mother of Keith Bennett, underscore the lasting trauma. Johnson spent years searching the moors and made public appeals for information.
“I just want to bring my son home. I have to know where he is.” – Winnie Johnson (Keith Bennett’s mother)
Brady himself, in a rare 2014 interview, denied feeling remorse.
“I don’t have any regrets. I have nothing to apologise for.” – Ian Brady
Forensic psychiatrists who assessed Brady noted the presence of a severe personality disorder, though his precise diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia remained disputed within the medical community. Court transcripts from the 1966 trial show the prosecution describing the case as “a shocking and depraved course of conduct.”
Sources for this information include the BBC News report on Brady’s death, the Guardian obituary, Wikipedia’s detailed account of the Moors murders, Crime + Investigation’s profile, and Biography.com’s summary.
Summary: The Case of Ian Brady
Ian Brady was a Scottish serial killer who, with his partner Myra Hindley, committed the Moors murders. He was sentenced to a whole life order and spent 51 years in custody, dying in a high-security hospital in 2017. The case remains notable for its brutality, the unresolved location of one victim, and its profound impact on British society and criminal justice. Readers interested in other high-profile British criminal cases may find this profile of Jeremy Bamber – New Evidence and Appeal Status 2025 of particular relevance, as well as the story of Jimmy Savile – How He Became Britain’s Most Prolific Predator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were they called the Moors murders?
Because the victims’ bodies were buried on Saddleworth Moor in the Pennines.
How did Ian Brady and Myra Hindley meet?
They met in 1961 at a company where Brady worked as a stock clerk and Hindley as a typist; Hindley quickly became infatuated.
Did Ian Brady have a mental illness?
He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and spent the last part of his life in Ashworth High Secure Hospital, but some psychiatrists disputed this diagnosis.
What did Ian Brady write in his letters?
He sent letters to journalists and supporters, often denying remorse, criticizing the justice system, and attempting to justify his actions or provoke outrage.
Where is Ian Brady buried?
His body was cremated, and the ashes were scattered in an undisclosed location near Glasgow, as per his will.
Was Ian Brady ever considered for release?
No. In 1985 the Home Secretary imposed a ‘whole life tariff’, meaning he would never be eligible for parole. He later challenged this in court but lost.
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Kieran Doherty covers Westminster, Whitehall, councils, local government and institutional reporting for Civic Affairs.