First Moors murder victim’s muddied stilettos finally returned to her family 55 YEARS after killing
Pauline Reade became the Moors Murderers’ first victim when she disappeared on 12 July 1963 while on her way to a dance near her Manchester home
THE family of Moors Murders victim Pauline Reade have finally been reunited with her long-lost belongings – 55 years after she was snatched by twisted couple Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.
Police contacted the family’s lawyer two months ago to reveal they were ready to return the white stilettos the 16-year-old was wearing when she was abducted by the killers in 1963.
Detectives also returned a metal chain belt, a piece of material from her dress, a safety pin, six buttons and a press stud.
Pauline’s body was discovered on Saddleworth Moor, in Oldham, in 1987, and her then next-of-kin agreed police should keep her belongings.
But following the death of 79-year-old Brady last year, officers have now decided the time was right to return her items.
They will be placed with Pauline’s remains and a second funeral will take place.
Last night, her niece Jackie Reade, 44, said: “It was very emotional seeing Pauline’s shoes and clothing, I was crying.”
Jackie was 13 when Pauline was found and remembers the day “very clearly”.
But the return of Pauline’s belongings have also caused a dilemma for the family because they have been handed a necklace – and are adamant it never belonged to the tragic teenager.
Jackie, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, said: “I was told by my nana (Pauline’s mother) that the necklace she was wearing was fine gold with a St Christopher on it.
“The chain and pendant the police have returned to us is not gold, is too chunky, and is not the kind of thing Pauline would have worn.
“I don’t think it is hers. I am grateful for the shoes and other items of clothing, which will now be reunited with her remains.
“But we have an issue with the jewellery. And if they aren’t Pauline’s, who do they belong to?”
Peter Hall, head of civil litigation for Tranters Solicitors of Stockport, which is representing Jackie, said: “Jackie simply does not accept that the items of jewellery returned by GMP relate to Pauline.
“From all accounts Pauline was wearing a fine gold chain and the Home Office pathologist described finding a gold chain on the body in 1987.
“There was no mention of a medallion or other silver-linked necklace.
“The likelihood is that these items returned to Jackie purporting to relate to Pauline in fact relate to other murder victims.
“It has been another unpleasant twist in an already deeply upsetting matter for Jackie, who desperately wants to put this matter behind her.”
Pauline became the Moors Murderers’ first victim when she disappeared on 12 July 1963 while on her way to a dance near her Manchester home.
She was on her way to a disco when Hindley persuaded her to get in her car.
They drove Pauline to Saddleworth Moor where she was raped, beaten and stabbed.
The infamous serial killer and Hindley were jailed for life for the killings of John Kilbride, 12, 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey and Edward Evans, 17.
They went on to admit the murders of Pauline and 12-year-old Keith Bennett.
Keith’s body has never been found after Brady failed to inform police of its location during his 51 years behind bars.
Police attempted to convince Brady to reveal the mystery location of the grave in his final hours – but he refused to tell them.
Evil Brady died of heart disease aged 79 at a secure hospital in May 2017. Hindley died in prison in 2002.
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