Taxi Driver Online

Some similarities with the Stoke case, but neither seems like the drunken/drugged-up headcase you'd fear these days.


Police receive more than 100 tip-offs from public since fresh appeal over north-east taxi driver murder

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... er-murder/

Police investigating the cold-blooded murder of a north-east taxi driver have revealed they have received more than 100 tips over the last three months.


Image: Press and Journal

George Murdoch was left for dead after a mystery assailant attacked him with a cheese wire in a quiet Aberdeen street on September 29, 1983.

Police launched a fresh appeal for information to mark the 35th anniversary of Mr Murdoch’s murder – and last night revealed they have since received 100 calls, letters and e-mails from around the world.

Detective Inspector Gary Winter, who is leading the investigation, said the team had been overwhelmed at the response and admitted he was “surprised” at some of the information coming to light for the first time so many years on.

Mr Murdoch’s family are desperate for his killer to finally be brought to justice, and last night described the heart-rending years they have spent without him – and the poignant trip they make to his grave every Christmas.

Writing exclusively for the Press and Journal, nephew Alex McKay – who was 26 at the time of the murder – recounted the devastating impact his uncle’s horrific death has had on his family.

He said: “We still think of my Aunt Jessie waiting at home for her husband the night he was killed. She had his supper all ready for him but as the minutes ticked by she put it in the oven to keep warm. As more time passed, worry set in – had he been in an accident? Maybe taken ill? She’d have been back and forth to the window, hoping to see his car turn into their road.

“Eventually she did see a car pulling up outside her door only it wasn’t Dod’s. It was the police arriving to deliver the most horrific and unimaginable news possible. Her worst nightmare had begun and, sadly, it lasted for the rest of her life. For her, Christmas and New Year would never be the same again.”

Within days of launching the fresh appeal, police had received 50 calls from members of the public with information.

DI Winter said they had been overwhelmed by the response in the months since.

He said: “What amazes me is the amount of of information that people will sit on and not tell the police.

“We are still getting them, what I’m surprised by is what have sat on for all of this time.

“There’s little things that they have had in their head all this time, it’s all things we follow all the way through to make sure we have looked at everyone that was ever rumoured to be responsible.

“There’s means and ways of getting peoples’ DNA, which obviously has to be on a voluntary basis because right now we don’t have a suspect.”

When launching the latest appeal, police confirmed officially for the first time that a cheese wire found at the scene was used in the attack – and that they have widened their suspect pool to include oil workers and fishermen, who could use such a tool in their jobs.

Mr Murdoch, known as Dod to his friends and family, picked up a customer in the west end of Aberdeen at about 8.35pm on September 29, 1983.

He told his dispatcher he was heading to Culter, but never made it to his destination.

Police later found him seriously injured on Station Road in Pitfodels, and believe he was attacked outside his sky blue Ford Cortina and left for dead.

Over the decades, investigators have pursued a number of leads, and his family put up a £10,000 reward for information, but nobody has ever been ever arrested for the “extremely violent” killing.

Mr McKay appealed for anyone with information about his uncle’s death, added: “To those of you who still have information and are thinking about calling, please do so now. The individual who took Dod’s life impacted not only his but also ruined his wife’s too.”

Anyone with any more information should phone the police on 101, e-mail the dedicated inbox at scdholmesaberdeen@scotlandpnn.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


DI Winter and Mr McKay at the scene where taxi driver George Murdoch was killed on Pitfodels Station Road, Aberdeen (Image: Jim Irvine/Press and Journal)

More information about the taxi angle from an earlier piece:

Mr Mckay said his uncle had always assured his wife that if he was ever threatened, he would always just hand over the money.

“When he took up his job with the taxis, my aunt Jessie was never happy with that because she was worried about robberies,” he said.

“She asked him what he would do if someone tried to rob him, and he always told her ‘Don’t worry Jess, I’ll just give them all my money, because there’s never too much on me in the taxi at any one time.

“So that’s the tragic, and ironic thing. If whoever it was that killed Dod had just asked him, he would have just given the money to them.”

Yesterday Mr Mckay visited the scene of the crime with DI Winter, who believes the killer would be in his late 50s or early 60s now.

He added: “From what we know of the crime, George picked up a fare on Queen’s Road and it was a fare that must have flagged him down, because it was pre-booked.

“It does not appear that George was targeted as an individual because there was no way to know he would have been on that road at that particular time.

“Within a couple of minutes at Pitfodels Station Road a couple of cyclists came up the road saw George’s taxi facing down the hill, with lights on, and as they passed they saw George being assaulted by the male, who at that time was late 20s early 30s, with a thin build and very black hair.

“He must be an extremely violent person. As his family say, George’s character was that of a very gentle man, who would be extremely unlikely to antagonise anyone, put up a fight, or have a red mist moment.

“It was an individual with a massive propensity for violence, who had access to a cheese wire, who was meant to be going from A to B that night, but didn’t end up at B.

“I think when people put all those pieces of the jigsaw together, it must mean that somebody somewhere knows someone that connects all of these pieces and knows who it was.

“Someone out there knows what happened to George and I hope this appeal today serves as a vital reminder that it is never too late to come forward with information.”

The murder of George Murdoch

Officers carried out a number of high-profile inquiries into the brutal killing of George Murdoch, including stopping inspecting the hands of Pittodrie visitors at a Dons match to see if they had any tell-tale damage to their hands that could indicate they were the killer.

But over the years, one of the more popular theories surrounding the killing was that whoever murdered the 58-year-old had visited the Mr Chips takeaway in Mannofield shortly after the killing.

Staff at the fish and chip shop, which is around a mile away from the scene of the crime at Pitfodels Station Road, reported that a strange man, bleeding from his hands and face, had ordered a fish supper soon after the murder.

However, Detective Inspector Gary Winter said the fish and chip shop lead could very well be a “red herring”.

He noted that the report was only made around 17 days after the incident, and noted how bizarre it would be for someone who had just committed such a violent crime to go into public place like a chip shop to buy a meal.

He said: “We can’t turn the clock back, but the information from Mr Chips came several weeks after the murder.

“There’s no confirmation that that is the murderer – it seemed an usual thing to do to pop in to a fish and chip shop if you just murdered somebody, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

“What we’re trying to do is focus on the facts, and the eyewitnesses to the incident itself on Pitfodels Station Road, so we’re not wanting to focus too much on something that could potentially be a red herring.”

The detective inspector said although there have been countless ideas and rumours circulating about the true identity of the killer over the past 35 years, officers are still keen to hear any information that could lead to an arrest.

He said: “Some people think we know all the theories that have been going around, but the truth is we only know what we get told.

“So even if you think the police might have heard it before, please tell us, because it could prove to be absolutely vital.”

*Wasn't* pre-booked, presumably.

had ordered a fish support soon after the murder.


can't imagine what one of those looks like

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Well spotted

Should read 'fish supper' which is a kind of Scottish-ism, and basically means anything with chips you'd buy from a chip shop.

Ie if you order a 'fish supper', you get fish and chips, if you order a 'jumbo sausage supper' you get a jumbo sausage and chips. A 'single fish' or a 'single jumbo sausage' just means without chips.

'Fish and chop shop' in the piece should also read 'fish and chip shop', obviously.

Will amend these in the original post.

(Or at least I think a 'supper' is just a Scottish thing, but I maybe wrong.)

Again well done to the local press and police for not forgetting this fella.

The bit above I quoted indicates to me the individual is known to the police, although not necessarily for this crime yet, possibly someone already inside.

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IDFIMH

Some interesting comments about DNA advances and that kind of stuff from the DI in a video, and how the evidence is being retested as more modern techniques are being developed. (Mention of the fact that drivers and passengers smoked in taxis back then, thus possibly vital to DNA evidence.)

Also interesting video of the victim's relative (the one in the photo with the DI), who's very articulate, and possibly the kind of person who would help get this kind of thing moving again:

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... -years-on/

Family of George have published a book in an attempt to find the killer.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... lved-case/

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IDFIMH

These are the sorts of cases where the police need a lucky break. I am surprised that with witnesses to it taking place they didn't find the killer at the time.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I recall way back around that time if my memory serves me well ,that a woman taxi driver was killed
in the Glasgow area, cheese wire method i believe. Though i think that person was caught.

The police are not letting this go, thankfully.

https://news.stv.tv/north/national-tv-a ... heese-wire

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IDFIMH

Photo a bit big, so link only below


Exclusive: Man in Iron Maiden T-shirt could be key to solving cheese wire murder of Aberdeen taxi driver

https://wpcluster.dctdigital.com/wp-con ... ov2ey7.jpg

A man who was wearing an Iron Maiden T-shirt in an Aberdeen city centre pub may hold the key to solving the notorious murder of a taxi driver, police have said.

George “Dod” Murdoch was viciously attacked on Pitfodels Station Road, where a cheese wire – used as a garrotte – was discovered near his sky blue Ford Cortina.

The 58-year-old had travelled towards Peterculter after picking up his last ever fare on Aberdeen’s Queen’s Road, on the evening of September 29 1983.

But Mr Murdoch’s brutal killer has never been caught by detectives who refuse to give up on trying to solve his horrific murder.

Now, exactly 39 years on from the shocking tragedy, investigators are desperately trying to trace a potential witness who’s believed to have “vital” information.

Potential witness believed to have ‘vital information’

Police Scotland was made aware of the unidentified man by a Press and Journal reader who came forward after seeing last year’s newspaper appeal posted to social media.

The man told detectives that he was at Wilson’s Sports Bar on Market Street in 2015, drinking with another man who “indicated that they have some new information”.

He also gave police a photograph in which the yet-to-be-identified individual can be seen wearing a T-shirt from Iron Maiden’s The Final Frontier tour of Germany.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector James Callander called the development “hugely significant” and said it was “remarkable” after all this time.

But he added: “The unfortunate thing is we can’t identify who the person in the photo is because all you can see is their torso with the T-shirt on.

“We’ve been doing quite a lot of research to try and identify who it is by other means and it’s drawn a blank.

“If what we’re being told is what he has said, we believe he has vital information that may well help us to identify who was responsible for George’s murder.

“We do know what information he’s likely to give but I wouldn’t be able to put that out there just now.

“This is the last roll of the dice to try and identify who he is.”

Man thought to be from Aberdeen

The man who Police Scotland is seeking to speak to is now thought to be in his 60s or 70s.

He’s described as small, stocky and someone who speaks with a local accent.

“We believe he’s from Aberdeen. Hopefully, he will see the appeal and come forward himself.

“Maybe this will give him the courage that he needs to come forward and speak to us.

“It might be something or nothing but it can’t be ignored,” Det Insp Callander added.

The key witness was among a group of young men who were being entertained by older gentlemen sharing their war stories in the bar, on an occasion in late 2015.

At some point, it became apparent that the witness had some knowledge of the murder and may hold vital information.

But although the possible evidence may have the potential to unmask Mr Murdoch’s killer, the information could be useless, unless the witness comes forward to make a statement to police.

“At the moment, what we know is hearsay evidence and that would be inadmissible in any court, if it ever got that far,” Detective Inspector Callander said.

“We really need to identify the person and get it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. At the moment it’s hearsay, but certainly can’t be ignored – that’s for sure.”

George’s nephew continuing campaign for answers

When George Murdoch’s life was abruptly ended, he left behind his wife Jessie who sadly passed away in 2004 without knowing why her husband had been murdered.

But George’s nephew Alex McKay and his wife Robina have continued to keep the cold case alive by campaigning for answers.

Mr McKay praised Police Scotland’s progress and said he hoped it would lead to closure for himself and his grieving relatives.

He told The Press and Journal: “We’re aware that the police are doing a lot in the background.

“It’s nice that, finally, the population at large are able to see some of the work that the police are doing because I think a lot of them get the sense that there’s not an awful lot going on and of course there is.

“The police are still working very diligently on this case and I think this is one tangible sign of that.

“It bolsters what we’ve always thought, that this case is solvable and we think it will be solved.

“Closure is one thing that anybody, who’s had a family member taken away from them like this, needs – and we’re no different.

“It would certainly help an awful lot knowing who it was, what happened, why they did it. It would be a horrible chapter in our life closed.

However, Mr McKay also said he didn’t want to get his hopes up, adding: “This is an important development but it may not be conclusive.

“I don’t want to get overly optimistic about it but I’m certainly not pessimistic about it.”

Unsolved murder to appear on BBC show

The Press and Journal can also reveal that the infamous unsolved case is to again feature on the BBC television programme Crimewatch Live.

Det Insp Callander, the man currently leading the latest police probe into the murder mystery, is expected to appear on a live broadcast next month.

The morning TV audience will be shown a replica of the Iron Maiden shirt in the hope that viewers of the show call in with information.

In March, the programme aired a reconstruction of the night that Mr Murdoch died.

After the broadcast, Police Scotland confirmed that the Crimewatch hotline received three phone calls and one of them came from as far away as the Midlands of England.

Police officers were still trying to trace people in the region last month, following the “promising” lead.

£25,000 reward for information

A reward for information that could lead to the confirmed identity of the killer stands at £25,000.

George’s relatives first put forward £10,000 and the sum was matched by Aberdeen Journals last year.

The taxi firm Mr Murdoch worked for, which is now part of Rainbow City Taxis, generously committed a further £5,000 last month.

Anyone who has not come forward previously who believes they can assist the investigation should telephone 101 or e-mail: SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.police.uk or private message the George Murdoch Murder Facebook page.

After all these years it would be wonderful if his family could finally receive some justice.

Well done to the police for still trying, and the family for never forgetting.

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IDFIMH

A lot of this is rehash, but interesting that there seems to be a head of steam building up almost 40 years later


‘People know something’: Huge cash reward for help to catch Cheese Wire Killer doubles to £50,000

A huge cash reward for information leading to the capture of a killer who garrotted an Aberdeen taxi driver has doubled to £50,000.

George “Dod” Murdoch was brutally attacked by a mystery man with a cheese wire on September 29 1983.

The 58-year-old’s murder remains unsolved but it’s hoped the doubling of an existing £25,000 reward for information might help to crack the case.

Mr Murdoch’s nephew Alex McKay and his wife Robina have boosted the fund, hoping that family and friends of the killer might now think twice about protecting him.

“Some people who are prepared to take this secret to their grave might have a price to reconsider,” Mrs McKay said, in her first-ever media interview about the tragedy.

“They’ve been loyal to the killer for 39 years but it’s now time for them to think of themselves. This £50,000 reward could help to give them a fresh start.”

Before his death, Mr Murdoch had collected his last-ever fayre on Aberdeen’s Queen’s Road before travelling to Pitfodels Station Road in Peterculter, where he died.

Dod was discovered dying on the ground next to his Ford Cortina which was missing the taxi’s takings from that evening.

The unusual deadly weapon, a cheese wire, was recovered nearby and detectives continue to believe that the motive for Dod’s murder was theft.

But over almost four decades investigators have struggled to uncover the killer’s identity.

£50,000 cash reward

George Murdoch’s nephew Alex McKay said that his uncle “needlessly died a painful and brutal death”.

Mr McKay and his brother were the first to pledge £10,000 towards a potential payout for information leading to the confirmed identification of the so-called Cheese Wire Killer.

That sum was matched by Aberdeen Journals last year and later increased with another £5,000 from the taxi firm that Mr Murdoch worked for, which is now part of Rainbow City Taxis

Alex explained: “Most people are not coming forward with information because of the reward but it may tempt one of two who haven’t come forward yet”.

The couple’s latest headline-grabbing announcement puts the unsolved case back into the public spotlight just days after a significant development.

Potential key witness

The Press and Journal reported last week that detectives are trying to trace a potential key witness from the city.

A major investigation team were last year handed a photograph featuring an Aberdonian man whose face cannot be seen but who is wearing an Iron Maiden T-shirt from The Final Frontier tour of Germany.

The small and stocky man, now thought to be in his 60s or 70s, was in the company of other drinkers at Wilson’s Sports Bar on Market Street in late 2015.

He appeared to know details of George Murdoch’s murder that may assist with identifying his killer, Police Scotland has confirmed.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector James Callander is leading the latest police probe.

He explained: “It’s hugely significant 38 years on – 39 now – for somebody to come forward with information like that. It’s quite remarkable and prudent for us to follow it up.

“It’s hugely significant and hopefully, we can identify who he is and get one step closer to solving the case.”
‘People know something’

The fresh lead has renewed hopes of securing justice for murdered Mr Murdoch and his loved ones whose lives were devastated.

His wife Jessie was cruelly forced to live without her husband for 20 years before she passed away in 2004, without knowing who killed her beloved Dod.

The killer had taken George Murdoch’s wallet and his taxi’s takings which amounted to anywhere between £21 and £35.

Potentially useful information has continued to come into detectives through the George Murdoch Murder Facebook page.

Robina McKay explained: “There has been a huge increase in tips coming in as the value of the reward has been increasing.

“This case can be solved with the help of the public. People know something. We’ve always felt that.”
Case to feature on Crimewatch Live

Later this month, the BBC television programme Crimewatch Live will again feature the notorious north-east cold case.

The morning show has previously aired a reconstruction of events on the night when Mr Murdoch died.

Det Insp Callander will travel to the TV studio to participate in a live broadcast to demonstrate the Iron Maiden T-shirt at the centre of the latest police appeal.

He will also promote the recently doubled £50,000 reward for information leading to the confirmed identification of the killer.

Maybe instructive that last week an 80-year-old was convicted of one of Scotland's longest-running unsolved murders, a few years before George Murdoch.

I'd just passed my driving test a few months before George was killed, but to be honest had no recollection of it until reading about it a couple of years ago when it as publicised.

I was a 12-year-old when Renee MacRae was killed, but it's a name I'll never forget - it seemed to be on the nightly news for months and months, and even for years when it all resurfaced, then disappeared from public view again. Until now



Hi-res version:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fd4q_VeXoAE ... name=large

A bit of black humour here - I mean, we're used to 'fair' and 'fare' being confused, but can't recall ever seeing 'fayre'

It's maybe a food thing, though - remember the original article at the top of the thread misspelt 'fish support' (fish supper) and 'fish and chop shop' (fish and chip shop)