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For almost 53 years the body of Moors Murders victim Keith Bennett has lain buried on a bleak hill as hopes of finding him fade with time.

But the discovery of two shells that match a gun belonging to his killer Ian Brady could be the key to locating the tragic 12-year-old, who vanished in June 1964.

Investigator Darren Rae claims the ­youngster was shot dead by evil Brady and his accomplice Myra Hindley – and that he is close to finding the body.

The bullet cases turned up as part of a painstaking search of Saddleworth Moor near Manchester, where Keith is believed to be buried.

Darren, who has exchanged letters with Brady which he insists will help him find the child, said: “I have no doubt that Brady shot Keith.

“He wanted to know what it felt like to shoot someone. That’s why he took Keith to such a remote location. The bullet shells I found are a match for the handgun used by Brady and Hindley.

“It is possible Keith’s body may still hold the two bullets that can be matched to the shell casings I found.

“It is a really sad and tragic case, but I know I am so close to solving it. I want to bring some closure to Keith’s family. The ­ultimate aim is to find his body.

“I believe Brady broke his established modus ­operandi and took Keith to such a remote ­location. The previous victims were all found in ­relatively close ­proximity to one spot, Hollin Brow Knoll.

"But the big ­question has always been why did Hindley confess to taking Keith to a totally different location.

(Image: Darren Rae)

"I believe that’s because Brady wanted to shoot someone, so went ­somewhere they wouldn’t be seen or heard or disturbed.”

Darren discovered two casings for a Smith and Wesson revolver, the type of weapon Brady owned.

In ­previously unseen notes to the investigator, the 79-year-old murderer boasted about the guns he owned and how he ordered some ­ammunition from a military insider.

Brady told Darren: “Bradshaw rifle/ revolver/ automatic shells were purchased in 50 shell boxes made by ICI. Previous were purchased in Belgium .303 rifle clips were obtained from army sources.”

Darren contacted bullet maker Speers in the US who confirmed the two he believes were used to kill Keith had been distributed in North West England in the mid-60s.

(Image: MSM)

The shells were found close to one of three “hot spots” where Darren believes Keith’s remains may be.

He added: “My two shell casings have been professionally verified and dated, to around 1963-65 and sold in the North West of England.

“This came from the bullet ­manufacturer’s own historian.

“The bullets were .38 calibre which would only match the Smith and Wesson. I’ve seen documented evidence from Brady and Hindley in the 1960s and 80s where they talk about wanting ‘more time’ with the next victim, and that was Keith.

"Brady had sick fantasies about shooting someone. To achieve this they would have to take their next victim to a far more remote location, much further onto the moors.

(Image: Darren Rae)

"That’s where I believe Keith is buried.”

None of the other bodies found in the Moors Murders case had any gunshot wounds.

Darren took his evidence to the police, but was told they did not have the resources to start a new search unless they received precise ­information about Keith’s location.

He also became friends with the youngster’s devastated mum Winnie Johnson who spent her life campaigning to find the truth.

She died in 2012 still not knowing where her son was buried. Darren has spent the past 16 years investigating Keith’s disappearance.

As well as being in contact with Brady, who is in Ashworth top security hospital on Merseyside, he has also ­interviewed former detectives, family members, forensic experts and others involved in the Moors Murders case.

(Image: alamy)

Darren claimed Brady held many ­fantasies about using guns, including carrying out a bank robbery with Hindley’s brother-in-law David Smith.

The maniac also got Hindley to join a gun club in 1963 which allowed her to buy firearms legally.

Brady has boasted about owning guns and even said he had ­fantasised about having a shoot-out with police when they came to arrest him and Hindley.

He told how he kept two loaded revolvers and a rifle at his house.

Brady wrote: “We never intended to be taken alive. Had I heard the knock instead of Myra I would’ve been prepared.

(Image: Getty)

"We had no opportunity to exit speedily, house surrounded, all roads blocked, surprise entry through the back door. Total disaster.”

Last month, the Mirror revealed the killer admitted owning guns. In a letter from Ashworth he wrote: “Shotgun? I had two shotguns, two revolvers, two rifles, and an automatic.”

Brady and Hindley were jailed for life in May 1966 over the murders of Lesley Ann Downey, 10, Edward Evans, 17, and John Kilbride, 12.

In 1985, the pair admitted killing Keith and 16-year-old Pauline Reade. Hindley died in 2002 behind bars.

Darren said: “Unless Brady states where Keith’s grave is before he dies, it could mean that he will never be found. I don’t want to let that happen.”

Darren’s evidence will be ­documented in a book he is writing called Finding Keith? The Definitive ­Investigation into the Moors Murders.

If anyone has any information about the Moors case they can contact Darren at contact@impsar.org

I.M.P.S.A.R (International Missing Persons Search & Rescue) is a new voluntary organisation Darren is founding to investigate ‘Missing Persons’ cases.