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COPS secretly stored the body parts of Moors Murder victim Pauline Reade for 30 years without her family's knowledge.

Greater Manchester Police only told Pauline's niece, Jackie, that they had kept the victim's jawbone and hair samples at Leeds University, after an audit was carried out in the wake of Ian Brady's death.

Moors Murder victim Pauline Reade's family have discovered that she was buried without a jaw bone and other body parts
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Moors Murder victim Pauline Reade's family have discovered that she was buried without a jaw bone and other body partsCredit: MEN Media
Ian Brady killed Pauline Reade and four other victims between 1963 and 1965 with his girlfriend Myra Hindley
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Ian Brady killed Pauline Reade and four other victims between 1963 and 1965 with his girlfriend Myra HindleyCredit: PA:Press Association

Jackie said she received a call from a GMP policeman who claimed the unit had "stumbled across some stuff".

The 44-year-old who initially thought it was going to be her auntie's gold necklace, was heartbroken as they explained what they covertly stashed.

"They knew who she was. They had identified the body, yet they kept them. I just can’t believe it.

“The family had no idea. This family has been through enough. It is mind boggling."

Pauline's niece, Jackie, pictured, sobs in pain as she struggles to understand why GMP kept her dug up body parts a secret
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Pauline's niece, Jackie, pictured, sobs in pain as she struggles to understand why GMP kept her dug up body parts a secretCredit: MEN Media
GMP sent this letter to Jackie saying the information may cause her 'significant upset'
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GMP sent this letter to Jackie saying the information may cause her 'significant upset'
Pauline was laid to rest at Gorton Cemetery, Manchester, where her family thought she was all there together
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Pauline was laid to rest at Gorton Cemetery, Manchester, where her family thought she was all there togetherCredit: MEN Media
Now Pauline's family face the prospect of staging a second funeral for the victim who died aged 16
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Now Pauline's family face the prospect of staging a second funeral for the victim who died aged 16Credit: MEN Media
Pauline went missing before Jackie was born, but the 44-year-old remembers the day cops found her body
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Pauline went missing before Jackie was born, but the 44-year-old remembers the day cops found her bodyCredit: MEN Media

Pauline was laid to rest at Gorton Cemetery, Manchester, where her family thought she was all there together.

But now they face staging a second funeral for the victim who disappeared at the tender age of 16.

This week, GMP delivered a wooden casket holding Pauline's remains to Jackie's solicitors.

She went before Jackie was born, but at the age of 13, Jackie remembers the moment her auntie's body was found.

“It has brought it all back. I feel angry. When the police sent me a letter they said I was Pauline’s auntie - they couldn’t even get that right," Jackie said.

“The police just said they had been kept for evidence. But they knew who she was there was no need for them keep them. There was no need for them to keep the jawbone. It is awful.”

A month after Pauline's body was found on June 30 1987, pathologists revealed she had been sexually assaulted
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A month after Pauline's body was found on June 30 1987, pathologists revealed she had been sexually assaultedCredit: MEN Media
Myra Hindley helped her boyfriend murder five victims around Manchester
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Myra Hindley helped her boyfriend murder five victims around ManchesterCredit: PA:Press Association
A BBC documentary revealed Myra had supplied this map along two others to forensics who were searching for the victims
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A BBC documentary revealed Myra had supplied this map along two others to forensics who were searching for the victimsCredit: BBC
This is another map Myra supplied in respect to the location of Keith Bennett's body, who was also killed
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This is another map Myra supplied in respect to the location of Keith Bennett's body, who was also killedCredit: BBC

Pauline's grave is a family plot where her mum Joan, dad Amos, and brother Paul who all died after her, lie in the same place.Jackie wants an apology from the police because her family will now have to "disturb all four graves".

But a second funeral is set to bring complications for Pauline's family as it will require four licences from the Ministry of Justice to move the bodies of all the family members.

Jackie's lawyer, Peter Hall, head of civil litigation for Tranters Solicitors of Stockport said the case which he described as "utterly bizarre and disturbing" could have been totally avoidable.

“It has created great distress and there has been no explanation or apology from GMP. Jackie’s wish is that all of Pauline’s remains are buried together as it should have been all along."

Martin Bottomley, Head of GMP’s Cold Case Unit said the samples were kept for "investigative purposes".

Background to the horrors of Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley
Pauline was buried alongside her mum, dad and brother who all died after her, but now Jackie will apply to the Government for licences to move their bodies
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Pauline was buried alongside her mum, dad and brother who all died after her, but now Jackie will apply to the Government for licences to move their bodiesCredit: MEN Media
Pauline's body was found 24 years after she went missing
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Pauline's body was found 24 years after she went missingCredit: Getty - Contributor
Sgt Mick Swindells, pictured, brought body-dog 'Shep' to search a hole in the moor during the thorough investigation
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Sgt Mick Swindells, pictured, brought body-dog 'Shep' to search a hole in the moor during the thorough investigationCredit: BBC
GMP said they will pay for the options given to Jackie and her family, in relation to Pauline's dug up body parts
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GMP said they will pay for the options given to Jackie and her family, in relation to Pauline's dug up body partsCredit: PA:Press Association

He added: "We recently became aware that human tissue belonging to Pauline Reade had been stored in external premises on behalf of GMP.

“As soon as we became aware of this, we contacted Pauline’s family to make arrangements so that the samples could be laid to rest in whichever way they felt most fitting.

“This is a deeply sensitive matter and understandably it has caused some upset with the family however, we felt contacting them was the right thing to do and we have given them a number of options, all of which GMP will pay for.

“The Moors Murders was one of the most evil acts that happened in this country in the 20th century and although those responsible were brought to justice, we will continue to provide support to the families of the victims in any way that we can.”

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