Winnie Johnson, mother of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett, dies aged 78

TRAGIC: Winnie Johnson loses cancer battle

By Mancunian Matters staff

Winnie Johnson, the mother of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett, has died.

Mrs Johnson, who was 78 and had been battling cancer, fought long and hard to get her son's killer Ian Brady to reveal where his body was.

Mrs Johnson's solicitor, John Ainley, said she died peacefully on Friday evening.

Keith was 12 years old when he was abducted by Brady and his girlfriend Myra Hindley on June 16 1964 and his body is the only one to have not been found.

The couple buried at least five victims in Saddleworth Moors and officers now believe that Brady has disclosed the location of his last victim to his mental health advocate.

Earlier this week, Greater Manchester Police investigated claims that Brady had given a sealed envelope to Jackie Powell which may have revealed the location of Keith's grave.

Mrs Powell was arrested by police but later released on bail and at this stage those claims are still being investigated.

Brady and partner Hindley, who died in jail in 2002 aged 60, always refused to disclose the location of Keith's body.

The pair were responsible for the torture and butchering of five youngsters in the 1960s and Keith’s body is the only one not to have been found.

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