Video report by ITV News Correspondent Paul Davies

The Moors Murderer Ian Brady has died at a high security psychiatric hospital in Merseyside. Brady, 79, who tortured and murdered five children along with his partner Myra Hindley, was confirmed to have died by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Hindley died in prison in 2002 at the age of 60. Greater Manchester Police said they would never close the Moor Murders case and Brady's death "does not change that". It was not clear what the cause of Brady’s death was but he was reported to be receiving palliative care from nurses around the clock in recent days.

Two private ambulances were seen leaving the grounds of the hospital on Monday night. A spokesman for the NHS trust said: "We can confirm a 79-year-old patient in long term care at Ashworth High Secure Hospital has died after becoming physically unwell."

Private ambulances leaving the Ashworth secure psychiatric hospital on Monday. Credit: ITV News

Brady and Hindley together sexually tortured and murdered five children and teenagers, aged between ten and 17, in the 1960s. Four of their victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor near Manchester. The remains of one victim, 12-year-old Keith Bennett, have never been found despite extensive searches as recently as 2014. Brady’s death means that his family will probably never find out his final resting place. Martin Bottomley, head of Greater Manchester Police's Cold Case Review Unit, said their aim remained to find where Keith is buried. "I do not want to comment on Brady at all," he said. "The thoughts of everyone within Greater Manchester Police are with the families who lost loved ones in the most painful and traumatic way. "They have lived with the shadow of Brady hanging over them for so long, and have showed incredible dignity in the face of such adversity. "It is especially saddening for the family of Keith Bennett that his killers did not reveal to police the whereabouts of Keith’s burial site. A week hardly goes by when we do not receive some information which purports to lead us to Keith but ultimately only two people knew where Keith is. "Whilst we are not actively searching Saddleworth Moors, Greater Manchester Police will never close this case. Brady’s death does not change that."

Brady's lawyer, who saw him just hours before his death, said he believed the killer had no more "meaningful" information which could lead to the discovery of Keith's body. Robin Makin also indicated that Brady showed no final on his deathbed. "It's my personal view but I think if Keith Bennett's remains were to be discovered they would have been discovered in the 1980s," Mr Makin told ITV News. "I do realise the anguish [of the family] but that doesn't mean he would have had any useful information beyond what he'd tried to give in the 1980s." Mr Makin also described Brady as "seriously ill and quite weak" on his deathbed, but remained "perfectly capable of expressing his views".

Brady in police custody for the murders in 1965. Credit: PA

Terry Kilbride, whose brother John was another of the victims, had appealed to Brady to reveal the location of Keith's body before he died. He told ITV News it was "going to feel good" to see the murderer gone in an interview on Monday afternoon.

Good riddance that he’s gone, I don’t drink but I will have a pint. And I think that will be the opinion of most people. – Terry Kilbride

Brady was sentenced to life in 1966 after being convicted of the murders of John Kilbride, aged 12, Lesley Ann Downey, 10, and Edward Evans, 17. He later confessed to the murders of Keith Bennett, 12, and Pauline Reade, 16, together with Hindley. He has been held at the Ashworth secure psychiatric hospital for 32 years after being transferred there in 1985 to be treated for psychopathy. Brady had been force-fed for many years after going in hunger strike from 1999 – though a court hearing in 2013 heard that he regularly ate toast and soup.

An artist's impression of Ian Brady at his tribunal hearing in 2013. Credit: PA

The killer had launched a legal bid in 2013 to be transferred out of the prison to a hospital so that he could stop being fed through a tube and be allowed to die if he wishes. He was turned down at the mental health tribunal on the grounds that he was still insane and needed hospital care. At another court hearing in February lawyers said he had been bedridden for the last couple of years and it was "fair to say" he was terminally ill, with emphysema among his ailments. Brady, who had continued his legal challenges into his final months, was reportedly being given constant care in recent days from nurses specialising in terminal cancer, according to The Sun newspaper.</s>Moors murderer Ian Brady has died aged 79, an NHS spokesman has confirmed.

Brady, who was using the name Ian Stewart-Brady, had been receiving palliative care at Ashworth hospital on Merseyside.

A Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “We can confirm a 79-year-old patient in long-term care at Ashworth High Secure Hospital has died after becoming physically unwell.”

Brady and Myra Hindley, who died in prison in 2002, tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s.

Four of the victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines.

Brady was jailed for three murders in 1966 and has been at Ashworth since 1985. He and Hindley later confessed to another two murders.

Earlier, Brady had been urged to “do the right thing” and reveal where the last of his child victims was buried.

Terry Kilbride, whose brother John (12) was murdered by Brady, begged him to tell police where he dumped the body of Keith Bennett, who went missing aged 12 in 1964.

He told the Sun: “I would beg him to do the right thing on his deathbed and tell us where Keith is. Now is the time for him to stop playing tricks and come clean.

“If he takes it to the grave, I will feel so sorry for Keith’s family. There will only ever be another search if there’s fresh evidence. That has to come from him.”</s>Moors murderer Ian Brady has died at the age of 79.

He was a patient at Ashworth Hospital on Merseyside where had been receiving palliative care.

He is thought to have suffered from a lung and chest condition.

His death was confirmed by an NHS spokesman.

Brady, who alongside Myra Hindley tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s, had never revealed the location of the body of 12-year-old Keith Bennett.</s>Moors Murderer Ian Brady has died at the age of 79.

The serial killer, 79, died at Ashworth Hospital on Merseyside where he received palliative care.

Brady and Myra Hindley, who died in prison in 2002, tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s. Four of the victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines.

Brady was jailed for three murders in 1966 and has been at Ashworth since 1985.

He and Hindley later confessed to another two murders.

In 2013 he asked to be moved to a Scottish prison so he cannot be force-fed - as he can in hospital - and where he could be allowed to die if he wishes.

His request was rejected after Ashworth medical experts said he had chronic mental illness and needed continued care in hospital.

In February he was refused permission to launch a High Court fight to have the lawyer of his choice representing him at a tribunal where the decision would be reviewed.

Earlier this week, Brady was urged to "do the right thing" and reveal where the last of his child victims is buried, amid reports of his imminent death.

Terry Kilbride, whose brother John, 12, was also murdered by Brady, begged him to tell police where he dumped the body of Keith Bennett, who went missing aged 12 in 1964.

He told The Sun: "I would beg him to do the right thing on his deathbed and tell us where Keith is. Now is the time for him to stop playing tricks and come clean.

"If he takes it to the grave, I will feel so sorry for Keith's family.

"There will only ever be another search if there's fresh evidence.

"That has to come from him."

A statement from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust said: "We can confirm a 79-year-old patient in long term care at Ashworth High Secure Hospital had died after becoming physically unwell."</s>Moors Murderer Ian Brady has died after spending more than five decades behind bars.

The bedridden 79-year-old killer was being held at a high-secure hospital in Merseyside after torturing and killing five children with partner Myra Hindley.

His death, hours after he was urged to "do the right thing" and reveal where the last of his child victims is buried, means he takes some of his secrets about the horrors to his grave.

Brady was jailed for the killings of John Kilbride, aged 12, 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey and Edward Evans, aged 17, in 1966.

He went on to admit the murders of Pauline Reade, aged 16, and 12-year-old Keith Bennett.

Four of the victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines.

For decades Brady refused to tell police where he dumped the body of Keith Bennett, who went missing in 1964.

The Glasgow-born killer had been held at Ashworth High Secure Hospital since 1985 and died at 6.03pm on Monday.

A spokesman said the serial killer, who used the name Ian Stewart-Brady before his death, had been on oxygen.

Brady was not found dead in his room in the Merseyside unit, the spokesman said, but he was unable to confirm if anyone was with him when he died, adding: "Quite possibly. I don't know."

Terry Kilbride, the brother of victim John, said he will still have to deal with the "nightmare" Brady has left behind.

He said: "It's a lot to take in. It's been years and years of anguish and pain for us and the families of the victims.

"But nothing will change. He's dead but we will have to still live with the nightmare that he left behind.

"He's ruined our lives all these years and he'll still ruin it even though he's gone. I feel numb."

Mr Kilbride added that there were no other words to describe Brady apart from "a murderous psychopath."

The crimes of Brady and Hindley - who died in prison in 2002 - shocked the nation as details of how the pair snatched children off the street, abused and tortured them to death were recalled during their trial at Chester Assizes.

Brady escaped the hangman's noose as the death penalty was abolished just months earlier and was handed three life sentences.

In 2013 Brady asked to be moved to a Scottish prison so he could not be force fed, as he could be in hospital, and where he could be allowed to die if he wishes.

His request was rejected after Ashworth medical experts said he had chronic mental illness and needed continued care in hospital.

In February he was refused permission to launch a High Court fight to have the lawyer of his choice representing him at a tribunal where the decision would be reviewed.

Former police officer Norman Brennan, who represented the family of victim Lesley Ann Downey, described the "grief and torment" he saw on the faces of her mother and father.

He said: "To know that your daughter was lost, alone and murdered and then actually her death was recorded, the grief can never ever be etched from your mind."</s>Ian Brady, one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers, has died aged 79. Brady, who along with accomplice Myra Hindley, murdered five children in the 1960s, had been suffering from a lung and chest condition and died at the Ashworth High Security Hospital on Merseyside.</s>Moors murderer Ian Brady has died at the age of 79.

The evil serial killer was jailed in 1966 for a series of horrific crimes against children that shocked the world.

After decades of being force-fed following a failed attempt to starve himself to death, the 79-year-old monster died at Ashworth Hospital in Merseyside.

His condition was said to have deteriorated to the point where he was being cared for by staff who help terminal cancer patients, it is claimed.

A statement from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust said: "We can confirm a 79-year-old patient in long term care at Ashworth High Secure Hospital had died after becoming physically unwell."

Before his death a source said: "He is gravely ill and everyone there is prepared for him dying."

The news that Brady was being given compassionate care at the end of his life will anger his victim's families.

His death comes just hours after he was urged to "do the right thing" and reveal where the last of his child victims is buried.

Brady never revealed the final resting place of victim Keith Bennett.

Brady and Myra Hindley , who died in prison in 2002, tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s.

Four of the victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor in the south Pennines.

Brady was jailed for three murders in 1966 and has been at Ashworth since 1985.

He and Hindley later confessed to another two murders.

Lesley Ann Downey was just 10-years-old when she was abducted on Boxing Day in 1964, brutally tortured and killed by evil Brady and his lover Myra Hindley .

For years stepfather Alan West was haunted by Lesley’s chilling death, tirelessly campaigned against Brady’s appeals and to ensure Hindley remained behind bars.

Sadly he died aged 81 last year after a long fight with a Parkinson’s-like condition, leaving Lesley’s brother Terry the only member of her family still alive.

Last year Terry said he prayed for the day when Brady died - claiming the fact the serial killer is outliving his victims’ families was “a joke”.

He said: "I hate him with a passion and wish he wasn’t on this earth. "

"I’m just waiting for the day - the sooner he is not on this earth the better."

Brady never revealed where he buried the body of Keith Bennett, who vanished in 1964 aged 12.

His mum Winnie Johnson spent her life campaigning to find the truth.

She died in 2012 having been unable to give her son the Christian burial she had always wanted.

Brady and Hindley also admitted killing Edward Evans, 17, and John Kilbride, 12, and 16-year-old Pauline Reade.</s>Moors Murderer Ian Brady has died at the age of 79.

His death comes just hours after he was urged to "do the right thing" and reveal where the last of his child victims is buried.

A Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "We can confirm a 79-year-old patient in long term care at Ashworth High Secure Hospital has died after becoming physically unwell."</s>The Moors Murderer Ian Brady has died at a high security psychiatric hospital in Merseyside. Brady, 79, who tortured and murdered five children along with his partner Myra Hindley, was confirmed to have died by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Hindley died in prison in 2002 at the age of 60. It was not clear what the cause of Brady’s death was but he was reported to be receiving palliative care from nurses around the clock in recent days. Two private ambulances were seen leaving the grounds of the hospital on Monday night. A spokesman for the NHS trust said: "We can confirm a 79-year-old patient in long term care at Ashworth High Secure Hospital has died after becoming physically unwell."

Brady and Hindley together sexually tortured and murdered five children and teenagers, aged between ten and 17, in the 1960s. Four of their victims were buried on Saddleworth Moor near Manchester. The remains of one victim, 12-year-old Keith Bennett, have never been found despite extensive searches as recently as 2014. Brady’s death means that his family will probably never find out his final resting place. Terry Kilbride, whose brother John was another of the victims, had appealed to Brady to reveal the location of Keith's body before he died. He told ITV News it was "going to feel good" to see the murderer gone in an interview on Monday afternoon.

Brady was sentenced to life in 1966 after being convicted of the murders of John Kilbride, aged 12, Lesley Ann Downey, 10, and Edward Evans, 17. He later confessed to the murders of Keith Bennett, 12, and Pauline Reade, 16, together with Hindley. He has been held at the Ashworth secure psychiatric hospital for 32 years after being transferred there in 1985 to be treated for psychopathy. Brady had been force-fed for many years after going in hunger strike from 1999 – though a court hearing in 2013 heard that he regularly ate toast and soup.

The killer had launched a legal bid in 2013 to be transferred out of the prison to a hospital so that he could stop being fed through a tube and be allowed to die if he wishes. He was turned down at the mental health tribunal on the grounds that he was still insane and needed hospital care. At another court hearing in February lawyers said he had been bedridden for the last couple of years and it was "fair to say" he was terminally ill, with emphysema among his ailments. Brady, who had continued his legal challenges into his final months, was reportedly being given constant care in recent days from nurses specialising in terminal cancer, according to The Sun newspaper.</s>The 79-year-old child killer had been held at Ashworth for more than 30 years.

More recently he started a legal bid to get himself transferred to a mainstream prison, it was reported, so he could starve himself to death - he is currently force fed since going on hunger strike.

However, it is understood his condition has now deteriorated to the point he is being cared for by staff who help terminally ill patients.

Brady and Myra Hindley, who died in prison in 2002, tortured and murdered five children in the 1960s.

Former Formby Times journalist went Ian Fowler went on to become the first person to link the deaths in the Moors Murders case

Ian wrote a feature on the disappearances of Pauline Reade, 16, John Kilbride, 12, Lesley Anne Downey, 10, and Keith Bennett, 12, which was published on February 19, 1965 – eight months before Ian Brady and Myra Hindley claimed their last victim, 17-year-old Edward Evans, and precipitated their arrest.

Mr Fowler looked at the pattern and concluded that they must be linked. He used the article to call for the setting up of a central missing persons bureau.

He went on to cover the first court appearance of Brady at Hyde magistrates and later corresponded with Hindley in prison and visited her several times with his wife Patricia Roberts, also a M.E.N. journalist, for a series of features.

Brady was jailed for three murders in 1966 and has been at Ashworth since 1985.
Moors murderer Ian Brady, one of a pair of killers whose victims from 1963–65 were five children aged between 10 and 17, dies at the age of 79.