Bone Found in Muriel McKay Search Not Human, Police Confirm
A bone discovered during an independent search for the remains of Muriel McKay, who was murdered in 1969, has been confirmed not to be human, according to police. The discovery was made on Friday, March 20, 2026, in the backyard of a betting shop in Hackney, East London.
Discovery and Initial Hope
Excavators working on behalf of Ms. McKay’s family unearthed the bone at a site they were told held her remains 57 years ago. The bone, approximately nine inches long and two inches wide, initially raised hopes of finally resolving the decades-long mystery. Mark Dyer, Ms. McKay’s grandson, expressed optimism that the discovery could bring closure to his family.
Police Investigation and Findings
The Metropolitan Police investigated the find, assisted by forensic colleagues. A statement released by the police confirmed that the bone does not belong to a human. “Police are aware of reports surrounding the discovery of a single bone in the garden of a property in Bethnal Green Road, Hackney. The bone was uncovered on Friday, 20 March, during an independent search. Officers attended the scene assisted by forensic colleagues who have determined the bone does not belong to a human,” the statement read.
The Muriel McKay Case
Muriel McKay, the wife of Australian newspaper executive Alick McKay, was kidnapped in December 1969 in a case initially believed to be targeting Rupert Murdoch. She was held for a £1 million ransom but was ultimately murdered, and her body has never been found.
Previous Investigations and Confessions
Arthur and Nizamodeen Hosein were convicted of Ms. McKay’s kidnapping and murder, though they never revealed the location of her remains. Five years ago, Ms. McKay’s family met with Nizamodeen Hosein in Trinidad, where he confessed to burying her on a farm after she died from a seizure. Subsequent searches of the farm, however, yielded no results.
Recent Lead and Continued Search
The latest search was prompted by information from Hayley Frais, whose father worked at a tailor’s shop in Bethnal Green where Arthur Hosein was employed. Frais’s father reportedly suspected that Ms. McKay’s body had been moved from the farm and reburied behind his premises, now a betting shop. Despite the latest setback, Ms. McKay’s family remains determined to find her remains and continue the search in the area.