Relatives of a woman kidnapped for a ransom and murdered 55 years ago believe her body is buried in an east London garden.
The family of Muriel McKay will find out today whether a High Court judge has granted an injunction to scan the premises in Bethnal Green for her remains.
Mrs McKay was snatched from her home in 1969 by Indo-Trinidadian brothers Arthur and Nizam Hosein, who mistakenly believed she was the wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and demanded a £1million ransom.
The duo were convicted and jailed for Mrs McKay’s murder in 1970, though her body was never found. But her family received new hope this year, in the form of a tip from the daughter of a tailor who owned a shop on the site.
Percy Chaplin’s store was used by gangsters the Kray twins, and he employed one of Mrs McKay’s murderers, Arthur Hosein.
In 2022, near the end of his life, Mr Chaplin told his daughter, Hayley Frais, he believed the body could be buried on the premises.
Mr Chaplin said there had been a ‘horrific stench’ during the period of the kidnap. An associate of Hosein’s – later found with Muriel’s jewellery – also had keys to the premises. Mrs Frais informed the Metropolitan Police the next year but the force took no action – and did not inform Muriel’s family.
When a £1 million reward for information was later offered, Mrs Frais realised the tip may not have been passed on and contacted the family.
Muriel McKay was kidnapped for a ransom and murdered 55 years ago after being mistaken for Anna Murdoch, the wife of Rupert Murdoch
Brothers Arthur (left) and Nazamodeen Hosein were found guilty of Mrs McKay’s kidnap and murder following a trial at the Old Bailey in London
She flew to London from her home in Israel on Sunday evening – and was at the court yesterday with her family.
Mrs Frais has offered to help point out where she believes Muriel’s body may be buried. Benjamin Wood, representing Mrs McKay’s children, Ian McKay and Dianne Levinson, told the court: ‘The police are receptive to information coming to light as a result of the survey, which… might cause them to reopen their investigation.’ But homeowner Madeleine Higson has opposed their bid for a survey.
Mr Justice Richard Smith is due to hand down his decision at the High Court this afternoon.
