Key Takeaways
- Muriel McKay’s family believes her remains are buried in a garden in east London, 56 years after her kidnapping and murder.
- The kidnappers, Nizamodeen and Arthur Hosein, mistook her for Anna, the wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and demanded a £1m ransom despite realizing their mistake.
- The family is seeking a court order to conduct a ground-penetrating radar survey of the suspected garden to locate Muriel’s remains.
- The court case involves complex legal issues, and the judge is expected to hand down his judgment on the matter.
- The family hopes to find Muriel’s remains and give her a proper burial, allowing them to find closure and a place to visit and pay their respects.
Introduction to the Case
The family of Muriel McKay, a murder victim who was kidnapped in 1969, believes that her remains are buried in a garden in east London. This revelation has led to a court case, where the family is seeking permission to conduct a ground-penetrating radar survey of the suspected garden. The case has been ongoing for 56 years, with Muriel being officially declared dead by a High Court judge earlier this month. The kidnappers, Nizamodeen and Arthur Hosein, mistook Muriel for Anna, the wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and demanded a £1m ransom despite realizing their mistake.
The Kidnapping and Murder
Muriel McKay, a 55-year-old woman, was taken from her London home by Nizamodeen and his brother Arthur Hosein in December 1969. The kidnappers believed that she was Anna, the wife of Rupert Murdoch, and demanded a large ransom for her safe return. However, when they realized their mistake, they still demanded the ransom, leading to a prolonged and tragic ordeal for Muriel’s family. The two Hosein brothers were eventually convicted and jailed for life in one of the first murder trials without a body. Arthur Hosein died in prison, but the case has continued to haunt Muriel’s family, who are now seeking closure and justice.
The Court Case
The court case, which was heard on Monday, involves a request by Muriel’s children, Ian McKay and Dianne Levinson, to conduct a ground-penetrating radar survey of a shared back garden on Bethnal Green Road. The survey is intended to locate Muriel’s remains, which the family believes are buried in the garden. However, one of the homeowners, Madeleine Higson, opposes the injunction bid, which would also stop her from disturbing the garden. The judge, Mr. Justice Richard Smith, has stated that the case involves "not uncomplicated legal sensitivities" and will hand down his judgment on Tuesday.
The Family’s Plea
Speaking after the hearing, Muriel’s grandson, Mark Dyer, expressed the family’s desire to find her remains and give her a proper burial. He stated that the family does not want to be felt sorry for, but rather wants to take action to locate Muriel’s remains and bring closure to the case. Mark Dyer said, "We’ve been told she’s there, most probably there, so we need to pick her up. She would like to come home for Christmas this year and what is left of her is purely some remains, some bones." The family hopes that the court will grant them permission to conduct the survey and locate Muriel’s remains, allowing them to find a place to visit and pay their respects.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The case of Muriel McKay is a tragic and complex one, involving a kidnapping, murder, and a prolonged search for justice. The family’s plea to conduct a ground-penetrating radar survey of the suspected garden is a crucial step in their quest for closure and justice. The court’s decision, which is expected on Tuesday, will determine the next steps in the case. If the court grants the family’s request, it could lead to the discovery of Muriel’s remains and a sense of closure for the family. However, if the request is denied, the family may need to explore other options to locate Muriel’s remains and bring an end to their 56-year ordeal. Regardless of the outcome, the case highlights the importance of perseverance and determination in the pursuit of justice and closure.