Myra Hindley was born on July 23, 1942, in Crumpsall, a suburb of Manchester, England. Her parents, Nellie and Bob Hindley, raised her in a working-class area of Gorton. The family lived in poor conditions, often struggling due to Bob's alcoholism and violence. Myra had to sleep in a small bed next to her parents' larger bed. The family dynamic worsened when Myra's younger sister, Maureen, was born in 1946, forcing Myra to live with her grandmother for some time.

Bob Hindley served in the military during World War II and was known for his toughness. He attempted to instill this toughness in Myra. When she was about eight years old, a local boy scratched her face, causing her to cry. Bob lashed out at her for not retaliating, which led her to fight back. This incident was described by a professor of psychiatry as part of a brutalizing relationship between Myra and her father, linking early exposure to violence with her later behavior.

In June 1957, Myra faced a tragic event that affected her deeply. A close friend, Michael Higgins, drowned while swimming in a local reservoir. Myra felt guilty for not joining him and was very upset by his death. She showed her sorrow by collecting money for a wreath for his funeral held at the local monastery, where she was baptized as a Catholic.

Myra's upbringing included elements of religion. Her father insisted she be baptized in the Catholic faith, but her mother did not want her to attend a Catholic school. As she grew older, Myra developed an interest in Catholicism and began taking instruction to formally join the Church. She was confirmed in November 1958.

Myra's first job was as a junior clerk at an electrical engineering firm. She was liked by her coworkers and had a good work ethic. At the age of 17, she became engaged but soon realized the young man was not right for her and ended the engagement. She also took judo lessons but faced challenges in finding training partners. After some time at another engineering company, she was let go due to absenteeism.

In January 1961, at 18 years old, Myra started working as a typist at a wholesale chemical distribution company named Millwards. There, she became infatuated with a coworker named Ian Brady, who would later play a significant role in her life. Myra began keeping a diary about her feelings for him. Their relationship became more intense as they often spent time reading dark literature and discussing controversial ideas. In this period, Myra changed her appearance to fit what she thought was ideal, including dyeing her hair and wearing bold clothing.

On 12 July 1963, Myra Hindley and Ian Brady committed their first murder. They targeted 16-year-old Pauline Reade, who was going to a dance. Hindley offered her a ride under the pretense of looking for a lost glove on Saddleworth Moor. After getting Reade into the van, Brady assaulted and killed her, then buried her body.

Their next victim was 12-year-old John Kilbride. On 23 November 1963, they lured him away from a market in Ashton-under-Lyne, also claiming to search for a glove. On the moor, Brady killed Kilbride and buried him. A large search was conducted when he went missing, but it yielded no results.

On 16 June 1964, they abducted another 12-year-old boy, Keith Bennett. Hindley convinced him to help load boxes into her vehicle before driving him to the moor. Brady assaulted and killed Bennett, then buried him.

The fourth victim was 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey. She disappeared on 26 December 1964, after being lured to help the couple with their packages. Inside their home, she was sexually assaulted, murdered, and subsequently buried on the moor. This crime was recorded on an audio tape.

Their final known victim was 17-year-old Edward Evans. On 6 October 1965, Brady and Hindley picked him up under the guise of friendship. After inviting him to their home, Brady killed Evans using a hatchet and later strangled him. They attempted to conceal his body in a bedroom before planning to dispose of it.

The crimes came to light when David Smith, Hindley's brother-in-law, witnessed Evans' murder and reported it to the police. This led to the investigation into the couple, ultimately revealing their involvement in the earlier disappearances. Hindley was arrested on 11 October 1965, and Brady was apprehended shortly before her. They were charged with multiple murders, and the investigation spanned several years as authorities searched for more victims' remains on Saddleworth Moor.