The secret biography of Moors Murderer Ian Brady has been publicly revealed for the first time, more than 60 years on from the start of his and Myra Hindley’s killing spree.
The incomplete manuscript covers Brady’s and Hindley’s twisted relationship and gives a detailed description of the murder and burial of their first victim in 1963.
The 394-page file is missing the final 200 pages, which it is claimed could contain Brady’s account of 12-year-old Keith Bennett’s murder and burial in 1964.
The missing pages of the memoir are believed to have been deposited with Brady’s solicitor, but he has not commented.
The autobiography, which is titled Black Light, was discovered by cold case experts working with author and filmmaker, Duncan Staff, in a new BBC documentary series.
Brady, who died aged 79 in 2017 after decades behind bars, refused to reveal to police where he buried Keith Bennett.
The boy was third of five victims of Brady and his lover, who passed away in prison in 2002.
Brady’s biographer, late author Dr Alan Keightley, wrote in his book that Brady once asked him to deliver a ‘double sealed parcel’ – which he assumed to contain the autobiography – to a solicitor in London.
The solicitor, Benedict Birnberg, died in 2023. His firm told the BBC that any material left with them had been sent to Brady’s other solicitor, Robin Makin.
Mr Makin, who is also Brady’s executor, has previously been accused by Keith Bennett’s family of withholding documents that could help to find his remains.
Mr Makin was approached for comment by the BBC about whether or not he was in possession of the rest of the autobiography, but he did not respond.
Dr Keightley also died in 2023, but his widow gave documentary makers access to her late husband’s archive.
It includes Brady’s incomplete typed manuscript, which the killer appears to have written himself.
Parts of the memoir are read out by Mr Staff in the BBC documentary. Brady wrote: ‘The real reason as to why I am now writing is quite simple; to reveal the full facts of the case for the first time ever.
‘In this book you are reading, every jot and expression is mine.’
‘All or any thoughts and offences you find in the following pages bear the authenticity of my own hand and cannot be disowned.’
In another passage, he went on: ‘Rather than simply vegetate, we have discussed all that, Kiddo. So now it is time to roll the dice for maximum stakes.
‘The game commences, hide and seek, ready or not, or did you think the time would never come? That it was all simply an academic exercise?
‘Perhaps you still do, if so, gaze at my eyes and believe what you see there, Kiddo.
‘Death, brought to life. Can you feel and hear the blood pumping, will you race with it or against it?
‘It is your choice. More wine, I am parched. Myra recharged the glasses. “I’m with you of course”, she reproached.
‘I knew it wasn’t just talk, I could tell, it was obvious. I was waiting for the go sign, I’ve no hesitation, Kiddo.’
Writing shortly after the assassination of US President John F Kennedy in November 1963, Brady told how the killing of his and Hindley’s first victim, 16-year-old Pauline Reade, would ‘divert public attention from us’.
He then recounted the burial of the teenager, writing: ‘It took only a short time to excavate the soft peat to a depth of four feet.
‘We counted the paces back to a rock on the knoll, in order to be able to find the site and photograph it at a future date.’
Dr Keightley said in his book that Brady told him Black Light was at least 600 pages long.
The copy in his archive stops abruptly at page 394, where Brady is about to describe the murders of John Kilbride, his and Hindley’s second victim.
Writing on social media, Keith Bennett’s brother, Alan – who was kept informed of the discovery by the documentary-makers – said any missing material should be made available to police because they could contain ‘vital information in regard to the search for Keith.’
Mr Staff said: ‘This is the first time we’ve got an indication there might actually be something written down that describes where and how Keith was killed.’
Keith Bennett was the third victim of Brady and Hindley.
The bodies of John Kilbride, 12, and Lesley Ann Downey,10, were recovered from shallow graves on Saddleworth Moor in the Peak District.
Edward Evans, 17, was discovered at the killers’ house, bound and prepared for burial on the moorland.
Their first victim, 16-year-old Pauline Reade, was found on the moor after a search in 1987. She was murdered in July 1963.
Mr Staff adds in the new documentary: ‘I think it’s incredibly frustrating for the families to know that Ian Brady has written an autobiography, Black Light, but it’s only surfacing now and that the copy we have is incomplete.
‘So the pages that describe exactly where Keith Bennett is buried could be out there somewhere.’
The Bennett family’s lawyer asked the documentary makers to let the police know about Black Light, which the team have done.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is said to have initially told the documentary team it wanted to see a large amount of material gathered for the programme, but then changed its mind.
GMP said in a statement: ‘Greater Manchester Police has always remained committed to finding answers for Keith Bennett’s family.
‘Keith’s family is central to any action we take in relation to this case and our thoughts remain with them.
‘We will carefully consider and respond, in a timely and professional manner, to any credible evidence shared with us that may lead us towards finding Keith.’
‘There have been so many missed opportunities to find Keith, and we can’t let this be another one,’ Mr Staff added.
‘We have to make sure that everything is done and that every effort is made to get hold of the missing pages of Black Light and to finally remove Ian Brady’s control.’
The Moors Murders: A Search for Justice is on BBC Two at 9pm tonight. Both episodes are available on BBC iPlayer now.