Date set for searches on a Hertfordshire farm for Muriel McKay's body
The dig is set to start on July 15th
Last updated 21st Jun 2024
A date has been set for searches to begin on a Hertfordshire farm, to find the body of Muriel McKay.
The 55-year-old was kidnapped and held for ransom in December 1969, by two brothers who mistook her for Rupert Murdoch's then-wife Anna Murdoch.
Ms McKay's body has never been found.
In the latest part of their search for answers, Muriel's family visited her killer Nizamodeen Hosein, in Trinidad, to speak with him about where he believes she is buried.
Hosein was deported to Trinidad after serving a sentence for Muriel's murder, in one of the fist landmark convictions in a case without a body.
Now, Muriel's Grandson Mark Dyer has confirmed searches on Stocking Farm, in Hertfordshire, are set to begin on July 15th.
New areas of interest
After speaking with Detectives and Muriel's family, Hosein's information has sparked the new searches, in what Mark Dyer believes to be honesty in his hopes to help the family be reunited.
Speaking previously, Mark said: "My grandmother must have been there, somewhere behind that barn, because he was so definite about it, and he wanted no reward.
"He kept saying 'I want no reward, I need closure.'"
Ending the mystery
Mark also believes that this is the final piece of the puzzle that he, his mother Dianne, and the rest of their family need to get closure.
"I want positivity everywhere now, because that's the only way that we can be proactive and get to where we want to get to - which is ending the mystery of my grandmother's kidnap."
"Where is she? Where was she put? What happened to her?"
Searches have taken place previously at the farm, with nothing found, but Mark and his mother Dianne have been pushing for fresh searches since their visit to Hosein earlier this year.
Met Police detectives also visited Trinidad to speak with the convicted killer, and have since been evaluating information provided to them, which has sparked plans for new searches.
In a previous statement by the force, Commander Steve Clayman thanked Muriel's family for their patience, confirming a further search where her remains may be.
"Our recent enquiries mean other areas have been highlighted as being of potential interest and it is these we will search. The main area is where a manure heap once stood – we know now this was probably larger than we previously thought and therefore that area was not entirely searched in 2022. While we have concerns about inconsistences in the account provided by Nizamodeen Hosein, for completeness, we want to do this."
"We sincerely hope the search is successful."
In a statement released this morning, the Met Police said:
" The search for Muriel’s remains is scheduled to begin on Monday, 15 July. Officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command will be working closely with forensic archaeologists and other specialists as well as Hertfordshire Police and our own forensic officers.
"The search is expected to take around five days but may be extended if required.
"Prior to that date, there will be some visits to the farm and preparation work."