Family Discovers Bone in East London Garden in 55-Year-Old Kidnap Case
The family of Muriel McKay, who was kidnapped and murdered fifty-five years ago, have announced the discovery of a bone in an east London garden. This development offers a potential breakthrough in a case that has remained unsolved for over half a century.
Discovery of the Bone
According to Mrs McKay's grandson, Mark Dyer, a nine-inch bone was found at approximately 1.45pm today. The bone appeared to have been 'sliced with a weapon or machine', suggesting possible foul play. The discovery occurred during an excavation in a garden in Bethnal Green, initiated after the family received a crucial tip.
Historical Context of the Crime
Muriel McKay was the wife of newspaper executive Alick McKay. In 1969, she was kidnapped from her home by Indo-Trinidadian brothers Arthur and Nizam Hosein. The perpetrators mistakenly believed she was Anna Murdoch, the then-wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and demanded a £1 million ransom. Despite the conviction and imprisonment of the Hosein brothers for her murder in 1970, Mrs McKay's body has never been located, despite multiple police searches over the decades.
New Hope from a Tailor's Daughter
Last year, the family received new information from Hayley Frais, the daughter of former tailor Percy Chaplin. Mr Chaplin, who operated a shop on Bethnal Green that was frequented by notorious gangsters the Kray twins, employed Arthur Hosein, one of Mrs McKay's murderers. As he neared the end of his life in 2022, Mr Chaplin confided in his daughter that he believed Mrs McKay's body could be buried on the premises of his former shop, which is now a bookmaker's.
Excavation and Police Involvement
Acting on this tip, the McKay family conducted a scan of the property last week and began digging this morning. Mark Dyer reported that the bone was found in the exact area indicated by Hayley Frais. Upon discovery, the family immediately ceased digging and contacted the police. Dyer stated, 'Police have arrived, there's now a murder scene – we have forensics in there too.' He added that a surveyor and two diggers made the find, and he was not permitted to enter the site himself.
Family's Emotional Response
The family expressed a mixture of hope and caution regarding the discovery. Dyer said, 'Obviously we are praying this is it, that we have finally found my grandmother after so many years. But we will have to see what the police say.' The bone, described as chopped at one end, is currently under forensic examination to determine its origin and potential connection to the case.
Ongoing Investigation
This discovery marks a significant moment in a long-standing mystery. The police have secured the area as a murder scene, and forensic teams are conducting analyses. The outcome of these investigations will determine whether this bone provides the closure the McKay family has sought for fifty-five years, potentially solving one of Britain's most enduring criminal cases.
