Jump directly to the content
NO MOOR

Ian Brady’s ashes will NOT be scattered on Saddleworth Moor as it’s revealed he died of ‘natural causes’

IAN Brady's ashes will not be scattered close to his victims on Saddleworth Moor, an inquest into his death has heard.

Brady's solicitor Robin Mackin said there was "no likelihood" of the feared final insult to his victims as it was confirmed the killer died of natural causes.

 Ian Brady died earlier this week - he had been jailed alongside Myra Hindley for the torture and murder of five children in 1966
9
Ian Brady died earlier this week - he had been jailed alongside Myra Hindley for the torture and murder of five children in 1966Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The ban is a victory for the family of Keith Bennett, whose body remains undiscovered
9
The ban is a victory for the family of Keith Bennett, whose body remains undiscoveredCredit: Tony Spencer
 Along with Myra Hindley, Brady tortured and murdered five children between  1963 and 1965
9
Along with Myra Hindley, Brady tortured and murdered five children between  1963 and 1965Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

An inquest into the vile Moors murderer's death was adjourned yesterday with senior coroner Christopher Sumner requesting assurances before he released Brady's body.

Psychopath Brady, 79, died on Monday evening at Ashworth Hospital, Merseyside — just hours after The Sun reported he was close to death.

The coroner delayed the release of the body, which remains under police guard, until tomorrow — and the BBC reports that neither a funeral director nor a crematorium have come forward to accept Brady's corpse.

Mr Sumner yesterday slapped a ban on any ceremony at Saddleworth Moor as grieving families feared the monster planned a “sick, final twist”.

Terry West, 66, whose sister Lesley Ann Downey was murdered by Brady, said: “For the coroner to order this ban must mean Brady stipulated his ashes should be scattered on Saddleworth Moor.

“It is a sick, final twist to cause his victims’ families the greatest upset from beyond the grave.”

The moors ashes ban was also a relief for the family of Keith Bennett, whose body remains undiscovered.

But today Mr Mackin said he was "unhappy" with yesterday's proceedings adding that the contents of Brady's will were a private matter.

He did insist there would be no attempt to scatter the killer's ashes on the moor, offering some comfort to the relatives of Brady's victims.

In a slight change to what was heard on Tuesday the inquest heard the killer, also known as Ian Stewart-Brady, died of cor pulmonale, a form of heart failure, secondary to bronchopneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or lung disease. A full inquest will be held on June 29.

 Brady offered nothing to help detectives find the body of Keith Bennett, 12
9
Brady offered nothing to help detectives find the body of Keith Bennett, 12Credit: News UK Ltd

 

 Brady's accomplice Myra Hindley died in prison in 2002
9
Brady's accomplice Myra Hindley died in prison in 2002Credit: PA:Press Association

Yesterday, Mr Sumner admitted he had no formal powers to dictate where Brady’s ashes would be spread — but believed he had made the “proper moral judgement”.

Brady died in his room, number 35, on the Newman Ward at Ashworth, bringing to an end 52 years’ imprisonment, which cost the taxpayer an estimated £10.4million.

Alby Howard-Murphy, a coroner’s investigation officer, told the hearing: “There are no relatives of Ian Stewart-Brady known to the court.”

The body was identified by Ashworth site manager Michelle Anderton.

Only one person has applied to have Brady’s body released — believed to be his long-serving solicitor Robin Makin, the executor of his will.

The court heard Brady’s health had declined in the past year and rapidly deteriorated in the last fortnight.

 On Thursday, Brady pulled out the nasal tube he had been fed through intermittently since going on hunger strike in 1999
9
On Thursday, Brady pulled out the nasal tube he had been fed through intermittently since going on hunger strike in 1999Credit: PA:Press Association

A source said: “He knew he was dying for a while but he was too weak to fight it. Brady had been ill for a long time but the end did come quite quickly.

“As much as most people would have liked him to have had a painful death, the nursing team did their jobs and used their expertise to manage his pain until he slipped away.”

As he neared the end, Brady summoned Mr Makin to his bedside.

The lawyer, who stayed for two hours, said Brady was very weak but still articulate.

He said: “It was, I suppose, quite a moving sort of situation.

“I got a call that he wanted to see me, he was obviously well aware that his death was imminent. He wanted to make sure that his legal and ­preparatory wishes were going to be fulfilled by me.”

Brady offered nothing that would lead detectives to 12-year-old Keith Bennett’s body on Saddleworth Moor.

Lawyer John Ainley — who has represented Keith’s family for decades — claimed detectives were “imploring” the killer to provide them with information on his deathbed.

It has also emerged that he left detailed instructions about his funeral service — with an order that no ­Ashworth staff be allowed to attend.

Brady laid bare his hatred of police, medics, politicians and the general public in a series of sickening letters.

 Twisted Ian Brady on Saddleworth Moors in 1987 with Superintendent Peter Topping and police
9
Twisted Ian Brady on Saddleworth Moors in 1987 with Superintendent Peter Topping and policeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Hindley had numerous requests for release rejected by the High Court
9
Hindley had numerous requests for release rejected by the High CourtCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Brady's victims (L-R): John Kilbride, 12, 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey Edward Evans, 17, Pauline Reade, 16, and 12-year-old Keith Bennett
9
Brady's victims (L-R): John Kilbride, 12, 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey Edward Evans, 17, Pauline Reade, 16, and 12-year-old Keith BennettCredit: PA:Press Association

The only people he had respect for were gangland figures. He wanted his to be the most talked about criminal funeral since the Kray Twins died.

He said in a letter to a pal: "I’ve made simple arrangements re my own funeral/cremation, legally barring any Ashworth staff attending it to project a false PR image of the administration in this penal cesspit.

“It’s in the hands of my solicitors.”

Brady and girlfriend Myra Hindley, who died in prison in 2002, tortured and murdered five children between 1963 and 1965, burying their bodies on Saddleworth Moor.

Pauline Reade, 16, and John Kilbride, 12, were taken in 1963.

Keith Bennett, 12, and Lesley Ann Downey, ten, went missing in 1964. Edward Evans, 17, was killed in 1965.

Brady and Hindley were jailed for three of the murders in 1966 and later confessed to the other two.

Keith’s sister Sylvia Moran, 70, said of Brady: “I’m glad he’s dead. He’s where he belongs — with the devil.”


For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online, where we will bring you live updates as soon as they happen, before anyone else.
Like us on Facebook at , and follow us from our main Twitter account at , where we will bring you this story and all the rest of the top news and exclusives of the day.
is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video