UK UK- George Murdoch, 58, Taxi driver, Garroted w cheese wire, Aberdeen, 29/09/1983 *New Initiative*

[dotr]

March 14 2022
Hunt for Cheesewire Killer goes national in Crimewatch Live TV appeal (pressandjournal.co.uk)

Detective Inspector James Callander with a reward poster for George Murdoch's murder.
''George, 58, was violently attacked with a cheese wire after picking up a fare on the city’s Queen’s Road during an evening shift on September 29.
Before his death, George radioed into his control room that he was heading to Culter.
But he was found dying on the ground outside his sky blue Ford Cortina taxi on Pitfodels Station Road where the unusual lethal weapon – used as a garrote – was also discovered.''

An identical replica of the cheesewire believed to have been used to kill taxi driver George Murdoch.
''This would lead to the murderer being dubbed the Cheese Wire Killer.
Police were first alerted to the brutal attack by two boys passing on their bikes who witnessed George being strangled on the secluded street, just off North Deeside Road.
He was desperately calling for help and the pair raced to raise the alarm, although it was already too late to make a difference.''

‘Even if it’s a hunch, please share it’
Detective Inspector James Callander commented: “That night, in a fish and chip shop named Mr Chips on Great Western Road, a gentleman entered the fish and chip shop.

“He was wearing dark clothing, dark hair in his early 20s. He had several scratches to his face, a bruised eye, and he was asking for plasters, and he had a cut hand.”

£20,000 reward for information

 

[dotr]

March 14 2022
Family of Scots cheesewire killer's victim believe attack was premeditated as they appeal for new information - Daily Record
''The family of murdered Aberdeen taxi driver George Murdoch believe his killing was premeditated as they launched an appeal for new information almost 40-years after his death.
George "Dod" Murdoch, 58, was found dead beside his taxi in September 1983, with a cheese wire garrotte lying nearby.
He had been beaten and strangled.
On the 38th anniversary of George's murder a £20,000 reward was offered in the hunt for the killer.
The 'cheesewire killer' was picked up in George's taxi and reportedly asked to be taken from Aberdeen to Peterculter.''

''The location was more than four miles short of his stated destination.
His wallet and fares from the night were stolen and the only trace ever found of the killer was a cheesewire used in the murder that was left at the scene.
In an appeal on BBC Crimewatch, Alex described George, nicknamed Dod, as an ordinary working man who was forced to become a taxi driver after being made redundant from a a factory job.''

''The family were then informed that George had been brutally murdered as a manhunt was launched when a police dog handler found him lying in a pool of blood, with severe injuries to his head, face and neck.
Alex said: "It was brutal, very brutal. Someone carrying a cheese-wire with them - what kind of person would do that? They're not using it for their work. It is premeditated - it has to be.
"It takes a special, callous individual to go out with something like that.''

"We are urging anyone who has not come forward previously who believes they can assist the investigation to contact 101 or e-mail a dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.poli."

 

[bykerladi]

If the two boys saw him being strangled, couldn't they identify or describe the killer?

 

[dotr]

2018
George Murdoch Appeal - YouTube

Unfortunately, the video below is ''not available in my location'' .
''George Murdoch Murder
Appeal to identify George Murdoch’s killer.
BBC One - Crimewatch Live, George Murdoch Murder
Release date:
14 March 2022''

 

[dotr]

Humongous article..
George Murdoch murder: How the first weeks of the manhunt unfolded (pressandjournal.co.uk)
By Karen Roberts
September 29, 2021 rbbm.

''A description of the man police want to speak to is issued – 20-30 years old, 5ft 7ins, thin with dark hair, clean-shaven and wearing dark clothes.''

Plane journey to retrace George Murdoch’s last drive

The Evening Express October 6, 1983. Supplied by British Newspaper Archive.
''In the week after George’s death, the Evening Express joined Grampian Police to fly over areas vital to the investigation.

Reporter Alison Shaw and photographer Jim Love joined Detective Sergeant Alec Den to fly over what was believed to be the route of George’s final journey.

Meanwhile, two witnesses came forward with information about a pale blue Ford Cortina taxi double-parked on Queen’s Road at 8.28pm.

A man was seen getting into a pale blue Ford Cortina taxi outside either the New Marcliffe or Belvidere Hotel.

Det Supt Jim McLeod said he was convinced this was the suspect getting into George’s taxi.''

''On October 8 the Evening Express told how police wanted to speak to a young couple who may have “vital information” about George’s final passenger.

The couple were passengers in a taxi that passed his car while it was double-parked on Queen’s Road.''

''On October 16 police made a plea to key witnesses – dubbed the “Silent 16” – to come forward, including:

• The passenger George picked up before his final fare. The passenger went from King Street/St Machar Road to Bridge of Don.
• A man matching the suspect’s description was ejected from the New Marcliffe Hotel on Queen’s Road just before George’s taxi left.
• Just after the murder a man was seen running across North Deeside Road.
• Another man was also seen running on North Deeside Road towards the city at 9.06pm.
• Five minutes later four teens were waiting for a bus in Pitfodels.
• Four of five joggers who were in the area at the time had also not gone to police.''

''One of the most startling developments in the case came three weeks into the probe.

Police announced they were looking for a man who had arrived in a nearby chip shop apparently dripping in blood.

The information came from an assistant at Mr Chips on Great Western Road, Mannofield – a mile from the crime scene – who said the man arrived at between 9pm and 9.15pm on the night of the murder.

He was said to have had three or four scratch marks on his cheek and the side of his nose, and bruising on the lower lid of his eye.

It was also said he had cuts on his thumb and first three fingers of his hand which were bleeding.

Driver picked up ‘bleeding man’ after murder

Evening Express October 21, 1983. Supplied by British Newspaper Archive.
The chip shop sighting gained further credibility several days later when a man came forward to say he picked up a bleeding man in the Mannofield.

Police said the man made an anonymous call to a taxi firm on October 20 to say he had collected a man matching the suspect’s description in one of the key search areas.

It was thought the man was reluctant to go to police as he had recently got a parking ticket.

''Police renewed appeals for a hitchhiker seen near where Dod picked up his last passenger to come forward.

The hitchhiker described as 5″8, slim with dark brown hair, matched the description of the suspect seen running from the murder scene.''

 

[OnlyS]

George Murdoch: Reward over 1983 Aberdeen murder doubled to £50,000

George Murdoch murder: TV appeal to find man wearing Iron Maiden T-shirt - as police hunt taxi driver's killer

George Murdoch was attacked with a cheese wire while working in Aberdeen in 1983.

news.sky.com

George Murdoch murder: Police appeal for man wearing Iron Maiden shirt

George Murdoch, known as Dod, was attacked with cheese wire while working in Aberdeen on September 29, 1983. Police Scotland will issue a fresh appeal for information on television.

www.dailymail.co.uk

A little activity over the past week and last few days.
A little bit of a strange appeal.. I guess the chap could have had a few (?) IMO as Last month, Police Scotland issued an appeal for information as they try to trace a man who was seen wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt in Wilson's Sports Bar on Market Street in Aberdeen in September 2015.

 

[dotr]

rbbm.

George Murdoch murder: Police appeal for man wearing Iron Maiden shirt

George Murdoch, known as Dod, was attacked with cheese wire while working in Aberdeen on September 29, 1983. Police Scotland will issue a fresh appeal for information on television.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Police Scotland issued an appeal for information as they try to trace a man who was seen wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt in Wilson's Sports Bar on Market Street in Aberdeen in September 2015

''On Tuesday morning, senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector James Callander, will speak on BBC's Crimewatch Live to raise awareness about the appeal.

He said on Monday: 'Regardless of how much time has passed, we continue to receive a positive response from members of the public from all around the world when we appeal for information about this senseless murder.''


'Following our appeal last year, we now have information about a man we would like to speak to who may be able to assist with information about George's murder.

'Hopefully, the national television appeal will give us the platform to reach someone who may be able to help us identify this man.''

'We are urging anyone who has not come forward previously who believes they can assist the investigation to contact 101 or e-mail a dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk.''

 

[dotr]

Oct 10 2022 rbbm.

BBC Crimewatch to feature notorious unsolved Scots murder

Taxi driver George was killed with a cheese wire as he made his way to Cutler - but despite a high-profile investigation, the person responsible has never been found

www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk

''The killer took his wallet and money. His wife Jessie had worried about his safety on his job but he had said he would never resist a robber. Jessie died in 2004 without ever seeing George's killer brought to justice.

Despite a massive investigation, and £20,000 reward, George's killer has never been identified. The man police want to speak to, who was wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt, is described as small, stocky, in his 60 or 70’s and local to Aberdeen.''
''Crimewatch Live will air at 10am on Tuesday, October 11 and will be available on BBC iPlayer for 24 hours afterwards.''

2021

 

[T rex]

So I assume this man in 2015 shared information about the crime that had not been released to the public?

 

[dotr]

Oct 2022 rbbm.

Police Scotland to make renewed national TV appeal about murder of George Murdoch in Aberdeen

Detective Inspector James Callander will appear on BBC’s Crimewatch Live to further appeal to trace the man in the Iron Maiden t-shirt.

www.grampianonline.co.uk

''39 years on from the brutal murder of George Murdoch in Aberdeen, officers in Police Scotland’s Major Investigations Team continue to request information via an appeal on national television.

On Thursday, September 29, 1983, at 8.35pm, the 58-year-old taxi driver was violently attacked after he turned onto Pitfodels Station Road, on the outskirts of the city, and later died.

A cheese wire was used during the attack.

Last month, Police Scotland issued an appeal looking to identify a man who was seen wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt in Wilson’s Sports Bar on Market Street in Aberdeen in September 2015, who officers believe may be able to help the investigation.''

"Regardless of how much time has passed, we continue receive a positive response from members of the public from all around the world when we appeal for information about this senseless murder.

"Following our appeal last year we now have information about a man we would like to speak to who may be able to assist with information about George’s murder. Hopefully the national television appeal will give us the platform to reach someone who may be able to help us identify this man.''


"We continue to receive information about what may have happened to George and any new information we do receive is thoroughly investigated.

"We are urging anyone who has not come forward previously who believes they can assist the investigation to contact 101 or e-mail a dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk."

 

[dotr]

@1:20
Aug 14, 2020
''STV Editor of News and Aberdeen graduate Donald John MacDonald joined us for a presentation on some of Scotland’s most notorious unsolved murders. In a career spanning 35 years Donald has reported on dozens of cases. He also produced the highly acclaimed STV series 'Unsolved' which examined some of the country’s most baffling murders. He talked to us about the production process, including how to persuade family and friends to bare their emotions on camera about unsolved cases stretching back decades. He also talked in some depth about three cases in particular: the doorstep killing of banker Alistair Wilson in the sleepy, seaside resort of Nairn, the brutal murder of Bangladeshi waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood, gunned down by a schoolboy assassin while serving customers in an Orkney restaurant, and finally the killing of taxi driver George Murdoch by an unknown passenger dubbed 'the Cheese Wire Killer'. The session was followed by a short Q&A.''

 

[dotr]

'Significant development' in notorious Cheese Wire Killer cold case as police identify 200 possible DNA matches

Detectives working on one of Scotland's most notorious unsolved murders say there's been a "significant development" in their investigation linked to DNA evidence recovered at the scene.

www.lbc.co.uk

26 September 2024 rbbm

''It's believed his car stopped en route before he was attacked by a man with a cheese wire which was later found nearby.

But police have never managed to find the killer or make any arrests despite a large scale investigation.

Recent developments saw officers revealing in 2022 they wanted to speak to a man they believed could help with the inquiry who had visited Wilson's Sports Bar in Aberdeen in 2015 wearing an Iron Maiden T-shirt.''

The DNA evidence has now led police to "200 possible genetic matches" in the case.

A Police Scotland spokespersons said: "In a public appeal last year, Police Scotland revealed that advancements in forensic science had led to a DNA profile from the scene being identified.''

 

[dotr]

Are you related to cheese wire killer? DNA breakthrough matches 200 people to George Murdoch murderer

Detectives investigating the 41-year-old crime say they are as close as they have ever been to cracking the case.

www.pressandjournal.co.uk

'Last year, Police Scotland revealed that advancements in forensic science had led to a DNA profile from the scene being identified.
This profile has now been “further enhanced” to allow officers to search for anyone related to the DNA
sample, known as familial DNA.'
'The solving of this horrific crime requires the help of the public. I would urge anyone with information to please come forward. We want to give George’s family some much needed closure.”

George’s nephew, Alex McKay – who lives in Banchory – said: “This latest development with the familial DNA is a huge leap forward and we thank the police for their continued endeavour in getting to this stage.'

Oct 5, 2021
A fresh appeal has been launched for information to help find the killer of an Aberdeen taxi driver murdered nearly 40 years ago officers are looking for any fresh clues linked to the death of George Murdoch, who was attacked with a cheese wire and left to die in the street.

 

[elframo]

As an Aberdonian this case was one of the first true crime stories I was aware of , I was 14/15 when it happened and I've never forgotten it.At the time it seemed that every murder in Aberdeen was unsolved but as with the Brenda Page case it just takes time.
To mark the 40th anniversary a podcast was released and it if anyone is interested in this case I suggest you listen

Who is the Cheese Wire Killer?

True Crime Podcast · 7 Episodes · Weekly series

podcasts.apple.com

 

[Melt71]

@elframo I listened to the podcast when it was released. I hate to admit it, but I actually had to listen to some parts twice, since I found the presenter's accent very strong. The two young boys that witnessed the attack were scarred for life, the poor kids.

 

[dotr]

As an Aberdonian this case was one of the first true crime stories I was aware of , I was 14/15 when it happened and I've never forgotten it.At the time it seemed that every murder in Aberdeen was unsolved but as with the Brenda Page case it just takes time.
To mark the 40th anniversary a podcast was released and it if anyone is interested in this case I suggest you listen

Who is the Cheese Wire Killer?

True Crime Podcast · 7 Episodes · Weekly series

podcasts.apple.com

Intrigued by part 4.

 

[poirotoupierrot]

I was interested in this case, as although it happened when I was a child, it is so unusual, and the DNA has provided a list, not of suspects, but of 200 people who may be related to the perpetrator(s). For all we know, the murderer(s) may not be alive anymore. I'm inclined to think they were quite young (ie not old), but also not a child or teen.

People might make suggestions about the teenage cyclists, but we simply don't know enough about their return from the scene of the crime they witnessed. Unless anyone knows anything?

I would definitely question those people again, and ask to know where they were positioned in relation to the attack and what made them leave - mostly probably fear, but did they recognise the assailant and didn't want to be seen?

I read a little about the murder weapon and what it's used for in different contexts, and whilst it is associated with some silencing in gangster wars etc. as a way to be a warning to others, I suspect it may have been used as it was more available and less traceable than other weapons (knives. guns, etc.).

I did wonder if there was a possibility it was used in someone's job, or else someone they knew. A butcher, or a potter? There are and possibly were potteries, perhaps factories in the area in and around Aberdeen. I also see it as a crime potentially requiring great force and so perhaps committed by more than one person. It's difficult to determine motive except theft. Why would the violence of the murder justify that? There are so many loose ends with the case, it's a real puzzle to me.

 

[dotr]

''Officers have now started contacting people on the new DNA list.''

Aberdeen cheese wire murder hunt appeal made on Crimewatch Live

Taxi driver George Murdoch was found dead in 1983 in Aberdeen with the garrotte lying nearby.

www.bbc.com

''Det Insp Callander told Crimewatch Live: "We are more confident than ever that we can successfully close this case, but we need the public's help.
"We are currently in the process of contacting all these people to establish if there is a family link.
"Cases such as this are never closed."
He said neither police or the family had ever given up hope of getting justice.
Alex McKay, George Murdoch's nephew, said the killing was "brutal" and described the culprit as a "callous" individual.
The free Crimewatch Live number is 08000 468 999, or you can email cwl@bbc.co.uk or text on 63399 - text the word CRIME with a space and then your message.
Police Scotland can be contacted via 101 or emailed through a dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk''

 

[poirotoupierrot]

Just listening to Ryan Ogilvie's podcast, in which, though I find the use of murder-mystery music fairly insensitive, is full of useful information, it's worth considering again the weapon, the place and the brutality.

Perhaps it's ridiculous, but there was an influx of Italian gangs to Aberdeen slightly before this murder:

Remembering the 'Don on the Don'- when an Italian Mafia clan set up in Aberdeen

The estranged story of Antonio La Torre, the Italian drug lord who moved to the Granite City in the early eighties

www.aberdeenlive.news

If a mafia group wants to send a message to other gangs or promote a racket, they might murder randomly, and are known for using a garrote - it's meant often as a warning. It's difficult to say if someone might just Want it to look this way though. It did occur to me there might be something missing culturally here, and Interpol might be of use in Naples, purely for elimination of possibilities.

Additionally, the murder took place down the side street, when shops were still open, in an affluent area. Doesn't this indicate a confident killer? This is a crime of considerable strength and brutality. To me this suggests planning (redirection of the vehicle to deliberately commit the crime in a 'safe' place for the killer - perhaps near to their home?).

Where I live, affluent areas are also where the most high-profit drugs get sold. Could hearsay have killed also this man? A case of mistaken identity? The woman who radioed and disappeared? Had she watched it happening from a window? Was someone waiting to take the killer away?

It seems unlikely George was killed over money amounting to £21. But a case of mistaken identity, an unlucky joke that indicated he was someone he wasn't, or a refusal to pay up in a racketeering operation all seem unlikely.

I'm leaning towards a terribly unlucky moment of a psychopath entering George's vehicle and wanting to do harm to someone they thought linked with someone else? In that sense, the DNA links may be vital in more ways than just proximity, even though it wouldn't make them the cause.

I've speculated about the occupation of the killer, or someone they knew, but so much silence for so many years, and such a brutal, basic weapon means much of the way we choose the characterise the type of crime or killer will be wrong, as this may well be a very experienced killer who knows how to cover their tracks.