Case 110
Muriel McKay
Case 110
Muriel McKay
During the 1950s and ’60s, Australian reporter and journalist Rupert Murdoch became the senior executive of his own private news proprietor company. After acquiring a number of newspapers in Australia and New Zealand, Rupert’s enterprise expanded into the United Kingdom and in 1969, he attended an auction for the largest-circulating national gazette, The News of the World. A spirited bidding contest ensued, wherein Rupert defeated the 34 million pound offer from business rival Robert Maxwell, securing ownership of the newspaper and its sister publication, The Sun.
Having secured his position as chairman of The News of the World Group, Rupert entrusted the role of the company’s deputy chairman to 60-year-old Alick McKay, an Australian newspaper executive with over a decade of industry experience. Alick had spent the previous 12 years in England working for Mirror Group Newspapers, proprietors of The Daily Mirror and The People amongst others, before he met Rupert Murdoch and was poached by the media mogul to spearhead his recently acquired publications.
Alick lived with his wife Muriel in south-west London’s upscale district of Wimbledon, near the world-famous tennis club. The couples Georgian-style manor titled ‘St. Mary’s House’ was situated on Arthur Road, a quiet, leafy street framed by spacious villas home to London’s professional elite – stockbrokers, bankers, and business executives.
In December 1969, Rupert Murdoch and his wife Anna made plans to holiday in Australia over Christmas. During their absence, Alick McKay was assigned the role of acting chairman of the News of the World Group and tasked with overseeing Rupert’s business duties. As acting chairman, Alick was provided with the Murdoch’s deep-blue Rolls-Royce and its accompanying chauffeur…
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Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
______
If you are hearing impaired or know someone who is and would like to get a transcript of the episode, please email us at contact@casefilepodcast.com
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Brothers; The Trial of the Brothers Hosein for the Murder of Mrs. McKay – William Cooper
The Rise and Fall of the Murdoch Empire – John Lisners
ARCHIVED ARTICLES:
Brothers kidnapped ‘wrong woman’ – The Age: Sept 15 1970
‘Brutal’ plot, says prosecutor – The Sydney Morning Herald: Sept 15 1970
Ransom money was left uncollected – The Guardian: Sept 17 1970
The mystery of Muriel McKay – Daily News: Dec 13 1970
A deadly mistake in Wimbledon – Daily News: Aug 5 1979
ARTICLES:
The Wrong Woman –People Magazine
Murdoch, Murder, & the Mare Street Connection – Medium
VIDEOS:
Great Crimes and Trials: Episode 20 – The McKay Kidnapping
OTHER RESOURCES:
Case of European Court of Human Rights, March 4 1985: Hosein V. The United Kingdom
The McKay Kidnapping Crime Files – Crime Investigation UK
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
SimpliSafe – Protect your home and your family today. Try SimpliSafe with free shipping, free returns and 60-day risk-free trial.
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Listen On
During the 1950s and ’60s, Australian reporter and journalist Rupert Murdoch became the senior executive of his own private news proprietor company. After acquiring a number of newspapers in Australia and New Zealand, Rupert’s enterprise expanded into the United Kingdom and in 1969, he attended an auction for the largest-circulating national gazette, The News of the World. A spirited bidding contest ensued, wherein Rupert defeated the 34 million pound offer from business rival Robert Maxwell, securing ownership of the newspaper and its sister publication, The Sun.
Having secured his position as chairman of The News of the World Group, Rupert entrusted the role of the company’s deputy chairman to 60-year-old Alick McKay, an Australian newspaper executive with over a decade of industry experience. Alick had spent the previous 12 years in England working for Mirror Group Newspapers, proprietors of The Daily Mirror and The People amongst others, before he met Rupert Murdoch and was poached by the media mogul to spearhead his recently acquired publications.
Alick lived with his wife Muriel in south-west London’s upscale district of Wimbledon, near the world-famous tennis club. The couples Georgian-style manor titled ‘St. Mary’s House’ was situated on Arthur Road, a quiet, leafy street framed by spacious villas home to London’s professional elite – stockbrokers, bankers, and business executives.
In December 1969, Rupert Murdoch and his wife Anna made plans to holiday in Australia over Christmas. During their absence, Alick McKay was assigned the role of acting chairman of the News of the World Group and tasked with overseeing Rupert’s business duties. As acting chairman, Alick was provided with the Murdoch’s deep-blue Rolls-Royce and its accompanying chauffeur…
______
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
______
If you are hearing impaired or know someone who is and would like to get a transcript of the episode, please email us at contact@casefilepodcast.com
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Brothers; The Trial of the Brothers Hosein for the Murder of Mrs. McKay – William Cooper
The Rise and Fall of the Murdoch Empire – John Lisners
ARCHIVED ARTICLES:
Brothers kidnapped ‘wrong woman’ – The Age: Sept 15 1970
‘Brutal’ plot, says prosecutor – The Sydney Morning Herald: Sept 15 1970
Ransom money was left uncollected – The Guardian: Sept 17 1970
The mystery of Muriel McKay – Daily News: Dec 13 1970
A deadly mistake in Wimbledon – Daily News: Aug 5 1979
ARTICLES:
The Wrong Woman –People Magazine
Murdoch, Murder, & the Mare Street Connection – Medium
VIDEOS:
Great Crimes and Trials: Episode 20 – The McKay Kidnapping
OTHER RESOURCES:
Case of European Court of Human Rights, March 4 1985: Hosein V. The United Kingdom
The McKay Kidnapping Crime Files – Crime Investigation UK
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
SimpliSafe – Protect your home and your family today. Try SimpliSafe with free shipping, free returns and 60-day risk-free trial.
Best Fiends – Download Best Fiends for free.
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