Aberdeen murder cold case: football fans urged to help solve 1983 taxi driver killing
Fans at Pittodrie stadium this weekend are being asked for information on the 1983 murder of taxi driver George Murdoch, still unsolved after 43 years.
Aberdeen taxi driver's 1983 killing revisited as Pittodrie fans asked for clues
Football supporters attending Aberdeen's Pittodrie stadium this weekend are being asked to help solve one of Scotland's most notorious unsolved murders, bbc.com reports.
Taxi driver George "Dod" Murdoch, 58, was found dead beside his cab on the outskirts of Aberdeen in September 1983. A cheese-wire garrotte was discovered close to the scene.
In the days following the killing, detectives took the unusual step of stationing officers at all 44 turnstiles at Pittodrie during an Aberdeen v Celtic match, checking the hands of male supporters in the 20–30 age group for cuts or bruising — injuries consistent with the use of a garrotte.
On Sunday, Aberdeen FC's matchday programme will revisit the case in the hope of sparking a memory that could finally identify Murdoch's killer.
A fare that never reached its destination
Murdoch had picked up a passenger in Aberdeen's west end on the evening of 29 September 1983, telling his control room he was heading to Culter. He never arrived. About two miles into the journey he turned onto Pitfodels Station Road, where he was attacked and killed. Two cyclists witnessed the assault and raised the alarm, but officers arrived too late. His wallet and cash were taken, though police have never established whether robbery was the primary motive.
A murder inquiry was launched immediately. Despite decades of investigation, no one has ever been charged.
Family campaign for justice
Murdoch's widow, Jessie, who died in 2004 without seeing the case resolved, had long feared for her husband's safety. Murdoch had regularly reassured her that he would never resist if confronted by a robber.
His nephew, Alex McKay, was 26 at the time of the murder and has since campaigned persistently for justice. He and his wife Robina hope this weekend's initiative may surface new information.
"We always hope to get the message out there, looking for somebody that has some piece of information," McKay told BBC Scotland News. "They may not even know it's important, but it may well be not just important but essential in terms of helping us solve this case."
Asked whether he believed someone out there knows what happened to his uncle, McKay replied: "100%."
His wife Robina recalled the detectives' reasoning behind the Pittodrie operation: "They decided to man all 44 of the turnstiles at Aberdeen, checking the hands of every single male who entered the turnstiles in the 20–30 age group."
She also spoke of what justice would mean to the family: "It's funny, we're often asked so what's the point? All that's important is that we get his name. If we knew who did this, just a name, I feel that would be justice for Dod."
DNA evidence and a standing reward
In recent years, detectives have re-examined DNA evidence recovered from the scene and explored possible family links. The case has also featured on the BBC programme Crimewatch. A £50,000 reward remains on offer for information leading to the identification of the killer.
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or by email at [email protected].
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)