Landowner agrees to let police search for body of Muriel McKay after killer reveals where she was buried

1 February 2024, 16:24

The owner of the land where Muriel McKay is believed to have been buried has given permission for police to search for her body.
The owner of the land where Muriel McKay is believed to have been buried has given permission for police to search for her body. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

The owner of the land where Muriel McKay's body is believed to have been buried has agreed to let police search the area again.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Ian Marsh said he "will cooperate with the police" and give full access to his land without a warrant if detectives find there is enough new evidence for a further search.

It comes after Ms McKay's daughter travelled to Trinidad to meet with her mother's killer, Nizamodeen Hosein.

She showed him images of the land in Hertfordshire and he pointed to a spot saying: "Three feet from the hedge, that's where the body is".

Ms McKay, 55, was kidnapped and held for ransom for £1 million by Nizamodeen and his brother Arthur Hosein in 1969.

She was the wife of Australian newspaper executive, Alick, who was Rupert Murdoch's deputy.

The brothers had meant to kidnap Murdoch’s former wife, Anna, but got the wrong person.

Ms McKay disappeared and was never found.

Read more: Daughter of Muriel McKay hits out at Met chief after he calls for 'concrete proof' over where murder victim is buried

Read more: 'Please can you let me dig up her body': Muriel McKay's grandson pleads with the Met commissioner for ‘closure’

Muriel McKay was mistaken for Rupert Murdoch's former wife Anna.
Muriel McKay was mistaken for Rupert Murdoch's former wife Anna. Picture: Alamy

Ian Marsh, who owns the farm where Ms McKay is believed to have been buried, wrote to the family saying: "The Marsh family understand the desire of the deceased Mrs McKay's family to have a resolution to this matter.

"We have been patient with the multiple requests that we have received and repeat our position: we will cooperate with the police if they determine that a further search of our property is required.

"We believe that the police will attest to the fact that the Marsh family have done everything, to date, that the police have asked of them.

"If asked by the police to give access to our land because they have compelling evidence of the whereabouts of the remains of Mrs McKay we will consent to giving the police full access to our land, no warrants will be required.

"We believe that it is important that due process and procedure is completed by the police to corroborate any evidence, including any new evidence that is being provided by the family of the deceased and/or the perpetrator.

"We are not in a position to judge that evidence, that has to be a matter for the police. I hope you understand that our trust is in the police, and we rely on them to examine all the information provided."

Nizamodeen Hosein
Nizamodeen Hosein. Picture: Alamy

It comes after Ms McKay's grandson spoke to Met Commissioner Mark Rowley during LBC's Call the Commissioner, pleading with him to let him collect her remains from where he believes she was buried.

Sir Mark said: "Muriel McKay's body was never found and for her loved ones and her family clearly that is massively upsetting.

"We would love to bring closure and do that. We have already done a search at the location, quite an extensive search in the last couple of years.

"The information is coming from one of the people who were convicted but it's not entirely consistent and it keeps changing.

"If and when we get concrete evidence we will be prepared to go back there."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kids holding hands on way to school

Deteriorating relations between parents and schools ‘affecting pupil behaviour’

Headspace meditation app on an iPhone.

AI companion for mindfulness could help ‘bridge gaps’ in mental health care

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 18th Apr, 2025. Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing with Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal. 18.04.2025.

Max Verstappen's woes continue as Pierre Gasly quickest in Saudi practice

The Val Thorens French resort

British man, 27, falls 50ft to his death after 'exceptional' avalanche hits top French ski resort

A person has died trying to cross the Channel

Migrant dies attempting to cross the English Channel

Rochdale's Joe Thompson is given a guard of honour before kick off after having to retire from the game due to battling cancer

Former Manchester United and Rochdale star Joe Thompson dies aged 36 after cancer battle

The animal has been handed over to the RSPCA

Police discover four-foot-long caiman during raid on Essex home

A traffic jam on the M8 Motorway and Kingston Bridge approach roads in Glasgow city centre, Scotland, UK

Easter travel warning as 19 million Brits to hit UK roads amid airport strikes, train cancellations and bad weather

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling joins Star Wars: Starfighter as he promises to 'shine a light' on iconic franchise

The US will 'move on' from peace talks if a deal can't be agreed

US warns it will 'move on' from Ukraine peace talks if progress isn't made in coming days as minerals deal edges closer

Energy bills could rise once again.

Brits could face £100 more in household bills if UK signs up to EU Net Zero scheme, Tories claim

woman in military uniform holding happy daughter at home

Military families set for housing boost as Defence Sec pledges to ‘stop the rot’

Actor Haley Joel Osment attends the 2025 PaleyFest LA - "Poker Face" event at the Dolby Theatre on March 29, 2025 in Hollywood, California.

Oscar-nominated ‘Sixth Sense’ actor Haley Joel Osment charged with public intoxication and cocaine possession

Commuters walk along a packed platform after a single train arrived during the morning rush hour, at Waterloo Station in London on April 8, 2024.

Millions set to face heavy disruption in Easter travel plans due to engineering works, strikes, traffic and flooding

Luigi Mangione, the suspect indicted in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson arriving at the South Street Helipad in New York City on December 19, 2024.

Luigi Mangione indicted on federal murder charge over CEO killing as US pushes for death penalty

Firefighters are battling a major blaze at a historic First World War airfield - as residents were warned to stay indoors due to fears over asbestos in the smoke.

Firefighters battle huge blaze at historic WWI airfield as residents warned of asbestos in smoke