I've had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people via the internet. I've met romance authors Virginia Henley and Nora Roberts. I've met Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center. This winter I met Alan Bennett and his partner, true crime author Carol Ann Lee.
Alan Bennett was only 9 years old when his 12 year old brother, Keith, disappeared on June 16, 1964. That evening, Keith and his siblings were supposed to spend the night at their grandmother's house in Longsight, England. Keith walked half-way there with his mother, Winnie Johnson, before she turned and headed toward a bingo game. Keith was expected to walk alone a few short blocks to his grandmother's house. Unfortunately, he never arrived.
More than twenty years after he vanished, the Bennett family learned that Keith was a victim of British serial killers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady. Between July 1963 and October 1965, Hindley and Brady abducted, sexually assaulted, tortured and killed five children from the Greater Manchester area. Other victims include Pauline Reade, John Kilbride, Lesley Ann Downey and Edward Evans. The crimes are known as the Moors murders because Hindley and Brady buried four of their victims on Saddleworth Moor.
Hindley and Brady were arrested after 17 year old David Smith and his wife, Maureen, walked to a phone booth and called the police. Dave reported that he had seen Brady murder 17 year old Edward Evans with Hindley's assistance. Myra Hindley was Ian Brady's girl friend. She was also Maureen Smith's older sister. Hindley and Brady were arrested after David Smith told the police that Evans' body was still located in the house Hindley and Brady shared with her grandmother.
David Smith was the prosecution's star witness in what many considered to be "the trial of the century" at Chester Assizes in 1966. Hindley and Brady were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Hindley died in 2002. Brady is still confined in Ashworth Hospital.
Sadly, Keith Bennett's body has never been found. Winnie Johnson spent 45 years searching for her eldest son because she wanted to give him a Christian burial. Winnie died on August 12, 2012, her wish unfulfilled.
Alan Bennett's partner, Carol Ann Lee, has written two excellent books about the Moors murders. Her first book, "One of Your Own," details the life and death of Britain's most hated woman. Her second book, "Witness," is also entitled "Evil Relations." This book examines the life of David Smith. If you like true crime stories, I highly recommend Carol Ann Lee's books.
Since Winnie Johnson's passing, Alan Bennett and Carol Ann Lee have led the campaign for another search for his brother's body. Their website is www.searchingforkeith.com.
If you are a British citizen interested signing the petition to continue searching for Keith Bennett, you may do so at:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40262
If you are not a British citizen, please write to the British Home Secretary and ask to continue the search for Keith Bennett.
Rt Hon Theresa May MP
Home Secretary
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Thank you for your support!
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