Greater Manchester Police has confirmed they are investigating claims that an author has found potential human remains he believes could belong to Keith Bennett on Saddleworth Moors.
Officers are digging on the Moors in an extraordinary breakthrough in the case.
Keith Bennett was last seen on 16 June 1964, when the 12-year-old left his family home to stay with his grandmother.
The schoolboy’s body has never been located after he was snatched by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.
GMP Force Review Officer Martin Bottomley said: “At around 11.25am on Thursday 29 September 2022, Greater Manchester Police was contacted by the representative of an author who has been researching the murder of Keith Bennett, a victim of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. Following direct contact with the author, we were informed that he had discovered what he believes are potential human remains in a remote location on the Moors and he agreed to meet with officers yesterday afternoon to elaborate on his find and direct us to a site of interest.
“The site was assessed late last night and, this morning, specialist officers have begun initial exploration activity. We are in the very early stages of assessing the information which has been brought to our attention but have made the decision to act on it in line with a normal response to a report of this kind.
“It is far too early to be certain whether human remains have been discovered and this is expected to take some time.
“We have always said that GMP would act on any significant information which may lead to the recovery of Keith and reunite him with his family. As such, we have informed his brother of the potential development - he does not wish to be contacted at this time and asks that his privacy is respected.”
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