UPDATE: Search to find Muriel McKay sadly unsuccessful

We have today updated the family of Muriel McKay that the search to find her remains has sadly been unsuccessful.

Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin, Specialist Crime, said: “After eight days of searching unfortunately we have not been able to find Muriel’s remains. We all shared a hope and desire we would find her burial site and bring some closure to her family and I am so sorry we have not been able to do that. This is not the outcome any of us wanted.

“Since the beginning of last week, a team of detectives and specialist search officers have been working at the Hertfordshire farm where it is thought Muriel may have been buried to carry out meticulous and detailed work to find her.

“The parameters for the search were set following very careful examination of all the evidence and information gathered by the investigation team, which included speaking to Muriel’s family and interviewing Nizamodeen Hosein in Trinidad. We are extremely grateful to the property owners for allowing us to search the land, causing considerable disruption to their daily lives.

“We have searched all the areas identified as the possible site for Muriel’s remains, including all of the former manure heap, and far beyond. This follows a search carried out at the farm in spring 2022 which unfortunately was also unsuccessful. We can conclusively say the information given by Hosein in the last two years is not correct, Muriel is not at the location he has indicated.

“We know questions have been raised about why we have not brought Hosein to the UK to assist with the search. Our view has always been that we do not believe it would provide us with beneficial information and therefore we would not formally approach the Home Office who would be required to grant permission.

“We carefully reviewed this decision during the search and, based on Hosein’s reliability as a witness and the likelihood of a successful outcome, we stand by our original decision.

“As we have said previously, Muriel’s family are aware it would not be proportionate to carry out any further searches and that our investigation is now at an end. We are saddened that we were unable to bring them the closure they so desperately long for.”

The property owners said: “It is a very disappointing result not to have found the remains of Murial McKay. We granted permission for the dig in our garden, to support the family of the deceased to find closure to this tragic event, despite the evidence provided by the murderer being inconsistent and unreliable.

“The murderer provided guidance that he had buried the body at a certain spot, acknowledged by the family of the deceased. We are pleased that the family of the deceased attended the dig on multiple occasions to witness the professionalism, dedication and hard work of the police in excavating an area in excess of 250 sq m around the spot agreed by all parties.

“We have been told by the police that they have completed their search and will not seek permission for any future search at our home.”

+ Timeline:

January - April 2022

Following contact from Muriel’s family, the Met’s Specialist Casework Team took over the investigation. Information from the family, as well as information we held about the initial investigation and search at the time, was thoroughly reviewed.

Following that review, it was decided to search an area of the farm and that took place, with the permission of the owner, between 29 March and 5 April 2022. The search used 30 police officers, ground penetrating radar and specialist forensic archaeologists. It followed an original search at the time of the murder when 50-60 officers searched the property.

The search in 2022 did not find Muriel’s remains.

December 2022

The family wrote to the Met with concerns about the extent of the search and the case was reviewed by the Specialist Crime Review Group. The SCRG is a team entirely independent of the investigation team whose job is to undertake critical analysis and reviews of investigations to identity any further lines of enquiry.

The review took some months to complete given the volume of material to analyse. It suggested using the skills of a specialist interview advisor to re-examine the accounts of Hosein, the man convicted of Muriel’s murder and kidnap in 1969, and help consider next steps.

This took place and the team carried out a range of actions including making further contact with officers who searched the farm in 1970.

December 2023

New information was provided by the family from Hosein about the possible whereabouts of Muriel’s remains.

This was carefully considered by the specialist interview advisor.

January 2024

The family visited Hosein in Trinidad and shared information, including footage, with the investigation team.

March 2024

The investigation team visited Hosein in Trinidad to speak to him in person. He volunteered to help and was interviewed over the course of three days, with officers carefully considering their approach and strategy to achieve the best information possible.

On their return they analysed all the information gathered over time to come to the conclusion that a further search will be carried out.

July 2024

A detailed search – beyond the parameters suggested by Hosein – takes place at the farm over eight days but sadly is unsuccessful.