1965: Saddleworth Moor Gives Up a Victim of the Moors Murders

Lesley Ann Downey had been missing since Boxing Day 1964, taken from a Manchester fairground and killed by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, who recorded her final minutes on tape. In October 1965 police digging on Saddleworth Moor spotted a bone protruding from the peat.

The body recovered was still visually identifiable. It was formally confirmed the next day as Lesley Ann, and her mother identified her by the clothing recovered with her, bringing a grim end to months of searching in one of Britain’s most notorious crime cases.

Grim Murder Discoveries on Saddleworth Moors
Grim Murder Discoveries on Saddleworth Moors

⬅ See all events from 16 October

Subscribe to Dark Stories True Crime On This Day

True crime stories, dark history and tour news, straight to your inbox.