Who was cab driver George Murdoch aka Dod and what do we know about his ‘cheesewire' killer?
MURDER HUNT Who was cab driver George Murdoch aka Dod and what do we know about his 'cheesewire' killer?
A NEW Channel 5 documentary reveals the advancements in forensics that could lead cops to the door of the infamous 'cheesewire' killer who brutally murdered an Aberdeen cabbie more than 40 years ago.
George Murdoch, 58, was battered and choked to death by the fiend in a quiet street in the city in 1983.
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The killer used cheesewire to brutally murder George Murdoch
Who was George Murdoch aka Dod?
George, known affectionately to everyone as Dod, had been working as a taxi driver for about a year.
On September 29 1983 he radioed his office to say he had picked up a fare to the Culter area of the city.
Witnesses called cops to say they'd seen him getting beaten up on Station Road in the Pitfodels area of Aberdeen, about four miles from his destination.
He was found at the scene lying in a pool of blood and had suffered horrific injuries after being garotted by the cheesewire.
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George's wife Jessie never got over his murder before she died in 2004, and all his closest relatives have passed away.
His nephew Alex is determined to get answers and last year offered up part of a £50,000 reward.
The retired procurement manager, of Banchory, Aberdeenshire, said in September: 'I dream about the day [the cops] phone up to say, 'We've got him.''
In a statement posted on a Facebook page dedicated to securing justice for George and his family in December 2024, campaigners also told of a £10,000 incentive to catch the killer.
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It read: 'In some families, dark secrets may lie buried for many years. The killer may only have told one who was very close to him.
'It is possible that this secret was known only to them and never shared with others.
'Hence why this new form of familial DNA testing can be so useful in tracking killers, no matter how many years may have passed.'
It added: 'By offering this £10,000 reward sum, our hope is that it might act as an incentive and encourage everyone to comply.'
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Another key part of the probe is a man who was seen wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt in Wilson's Sports Bar on Market Street in Aberdeen in 2015.
Man who stabbed woman to death as she slept confesses to her murder
Detective Inspector James Callander, who is in charge of the investigation, said: 'I would ask everyone to think back to when George was murdered. If you have any concerns at all from around that time, please don't dismiss them and contact us.
'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.'
What do we know about his 'cheesewire' killer?
A massive hunt for the killer, said to be slim and in his 20s or 30s, got underway and cops spoke to 10,000 people.
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The murderer has been on the loose for decades, but did leave some of his DNA at the scene.
No one has ever been arrested but advances in technology allowed the team to identify the partial DNA profile last year.
That didn't match with anyone on the national database but the evidence has now been expanded to identify potential close relatives.
This is based on the theory that DNA is inherited and all family members share certain aspects of it.
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Last year, detectives revealed they can use this vital genetic clue to track down the monster's family and the new two-part documentary delves into these advancements.
DI Callander said at the time: 'This new DNA data is significant and will help take us a step closer to getting justice for Mr Murdoch's family.
'The familial DNA links identified will assist in tracing people who can help with our enquiries.
'I want to make clear these individuals are not suspects, but we hope they may be able to help with our ongoing investigation.'
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Presented by journalist Kirsty Wark and narrated by Unforgotten star Nicola Walker, Forensics Murder Case starts at 9pm on July 21. The concluding episode is on July 22 at 9pm.
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