URGENT UPDATE: A High Court judge has ruled that the family of Muriel McKay, who was kidnapped and murdered over 55 years ago, cannot conduct a radar scan of a shared garden in East London, where they believe her remains may be buried. The ruling comes amid new claims regarding the location of her body, which has never been found since her abduction on December 29, 1969.
During a hearing on Monday, barristers representing two of McKay’s children, Ian McKay and Dianne Levinson, sought permission to carry out a “ground-penetrating radar survey” in a garden shared by two neighboring properties on Bethnal Green Road. The family believes fresh evidence suggests Ms. McKay could be buried there, stemming from a recent statement by Hayley Frais, whose father once worked at a tailor shop near the site.
Judge Richard Smith ruled against the family’s request on Tuesday, stating they failed to demonstrate an urgent need for the survey, and described the existing evidence of Ms. McKay’s remains being on the premises as “thin.” He emphasized the need for objective and dispassionate evaluation of the case, despite acknowledging the crime’s abhorrence.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Madeleine Higson, one of the homeowners, opposed the request, claiming harassment from the McKay family. She described being subjected to significant distress due to multiple unsolicited visits from individuals connected to the McKay family. These included a man claiming to take photos of the garden for sentimental reasons and others misrepresenting their intentions.
The judge noted, “Even if a survey was carried out, it may not yield conclusive results.” The police had previously declined to survey the garden, citing insufficient evidence for such an action, although they remain open to information from any scans conducted.
Mark Dyer, grandson of Muriel McKay, stated that locating her remains is of paramount importance to the family, expressing that “she would like to come home for Christmas.” The family’s desire to uncover the truth reflects a deep emotional significance, as they have sought closure for decades.
As the situation develops, the McKay family has expressed their sincere apologies for any distress caused to Ms. Higson. The case remains one of the most notable instances of murder without a body, following the convictions of brothers Arthur and Nizamodeen Hosein, who were sentenced to 25 years and 15 years in prison, respectively.
With the court’s decision now final, the McKay family faces an uncertain path ahead in their quest for answers and closure regarding the tragic disappearance of their mother. The community watches closely as developments unfold in this long-standing mystery, highlighting the intersection of legal processes and deeply personal family histories.
