Who is the self-styled super-sleuth who sparked the latest hunt for Moors Murder victim Keith Bennett on Saddleworth?
Russell Stephen Edwards describes himself as a businessman originally from Birkenhead. He ran Yorkshire Ripper Tours for a while.
But Edwards, aged 48, who has been published by Penguin Classics and was on-sale in Waterstones also publishes Kindle and other editions, has been building himself a reputation as a researcher into macabre British murders.
But now he has been challenged by Keith Bennett’s brother, Alan, to meet with himself and the police and ‘explain claims and why nothing new has been found’.
Alan said on social media: “It appears that individual ( Russell Stephen Edwards) asks why I didn’t meet him and let him explain everything. The answer is simple, you never asked me. You just put this idea forward whilst on your media outlet tour.
“I would suggest we all get together, you, me and the police, just so we can all be clear on your claims and why nothing can be found.”
Police started a new search on Saddleworth Moor for the body of Keith Bennett, who was snatched by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley almost 60 years ago, after Edwards claimed he had found a skull out there.
He found it as he researched for a new book about the murder of 12-year-old Keith.
Edwards already claims to have produced definitive evidence to prove the identity of the world’s most famous murderer: Jack the Ripper.
GMP Force Review Officer Martin Bottomley said: “Following direct contact with the author, we were informed that he had discovered what he believes are potential human remains in a remote location on the Moors and he agreed to meet with officers to elaborate on his find and direct us to a site of interest.
“The site was assessed and specialist officers have begun initial exploration activity. We are in the very early stages of assessing the information which has been brought to our attention but have made the decision to act on it in line with a normal response to a report of this kind.
“It is far too early to be certain whether human remains have been discovered and this is expected to take some time.
“We have always said that GMP would act on any significant information which may lead to the recovery of Keith and reunite him with his family. As such, we have informed his brother of the potential development – he does not wish to be contacted at this time and asks that his privacy is respected.”
Keith Bennett was one of five children tortured and killed by Brady and Hindley in the 60s. His mother, Winnie Johnson, spent her life trying to locate her son. She died in 2012.
Russell is married with two children and now lives in the south east of England.
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