The McKay Kidnapping

29th December 1969 - Muriel McKay kidnappedJanuary 1969 - Dutch medium Gerard Croiset consulted6th February 1969 - Bungled ransom delivery1st February 1969 - Bungled ransom delivery14th September 1970 - Hosein brothers found guilty

"It was him"

During the trial at the Old Bailey on 14th September 1970, the Hosein brothers blamed each other, but neither confessed. Arthur Hosein was sentenced to life imprisonment and 25 years for kidnapping, 14 years for blackmail and 10 years for sending threatening letters. Nissan Hosein received the same sentencing, except for 10 years less on the kidnap charge.To this day, no one knows what happened to Muriel McKay, except her killers.

The Drop Off

On 1st February the kidnappers called the McKay’s son, Ian, and told him to bring £500,000 to a crossroads on the A10. A policeman went in his place, but the kidnappers suspected a potential ambush and did not arrive at the meeting point.The 6th February became the new transaction date and the kidnappers insisted Alick and his daughter deliver the money in two suitcases. Detectives were to play the parts once again, with another hidden in the boot of the car.The McKay’s were to go by tube to Epping where they would receive a call, telling them to take a taxi to Bishops Stortford and to leave the money opposite a mini van near a garage, then they were to return to Epping. However, someone who knew nothing about the operation reported the suitcases to the local police.A Volvo had been spotted repeatedly driving past the cases and the number plate led the police to 34-year-old Arthur Hosein of Rook’s Farm in Stocking Pelham on the Hertfordshire/Essex border. Hosein's fingerprints matched those found on the ransom demands. Police scoured the farm for several weeks but could find no trace of Mrs McKay or of what had happened to her.Police were certain Muriel McKay was dead and charged the Hosein brothers with her murder.

Hot off the Press

One of the largest teams of detectives for such an enquiry was pulled together at Wimbledon police station. Meanwhile Alick, his daughter Diane and her husband appealed to the kidnappers on national television.On New Year’s Day the kidnappers called once again asking for £1 million and dismissing Alick’s pleas that he could not raise that amount of money. In desperation he asked an old friend, Eric Cutler, to fly to Utrecht to consult a Dutch clairvoyant who had helped police solve other crimes.

"Natural Mystic"

Gerard Croiset told Cutler that Muriel could be found in a white farmhouse in the north or northeast of London. Nearby to where Muriel was being held was another farm and a disused aerodrome and that if she was not found within 14 days, she would be dead.While police searched locally, others scoured the Hertfordshire and Essex borders, but found nothing.More calls demanding the money came, but no instructions as how to deliver it. In an attempt to motivate the kidnappers into giving instructions, the McKay’s doctor went on television claiming that Muriel needed urgent medication and if she did not receive it, she could die.

Muriel McKay - victimAlick McKay - victim's husbandSir Peter Rawlinson - prosecuting attorneyAnna Murdoch - intended victimArthur Hosein - kidnapperNizamodeen Hosein - kidnapperEric Cutler - friend of the MckaysGerard Croiset - Dutch clairvoyant