Family of 'cheese wire' murder victim say killer may have confessed behind bars
Heartbroken relatives have called for former prisoners to come forward to help solve long running Scots cold case.
The family of a taxi driver murdered with cheese wire have said it is possible the killer confessed behind bars as they appeal for former prisoners to come forward.
Aberdeen cabbie George Murdoch was found strangled to death outside his vehicle in September 1983, but the murderer has remained untraced for more than four decades.
George's nephew Alec McKay and his wife Robina, who are leading the campaign for justice, said that due to a Daily Record story on a criminal source profiling the possible killer, they have now received a number of tips from former prisoners - and have called for more to share their suspicions.
We told in February how a source, who has served various stints in Scots jails, said the murderer was likely a 'sadistic, sick killer' who took life for the pleasure of it.
Robina told the Record: "Do we think it possible the killer confessed to other prisoners if he ever did serve time? Given human nature, I'd say that has to be a possibility.
"I'd imagine an act like killing an innocent individual would be a huge secret for most people, even killers, to keep to themselves.
"We wish to appeal to those who may have served time in prison, especially back in the 1980s and 90s. A number of former prisoners have contacted us after the profile and it only takes one person to come forward with the right information.
"As time goes by, it becomes ever more important for us to achieve justice for George, who died such a brutal and torturous death and for the terrible toll it took on his wife, Jessie."
The long-standing cold case has seen dramatic developments in recent years as police continue to hunt the sadistic killer of 'gentle George'.
Then aged 58, Dod was found dead beside his cab on Pitfodels Station Road, Aberdeen, having just picked up a fare on September 29, 1983.
The cheese wire believed to have been used to garrotte him was found nearby.
Police have found possible DNA matches as they hope to establish any family link to a profile from the scene- with the family urging anyone to come forward to rule out possibly deceased family members.
Huge rewards of £50,000 are available for information that will lead to a conviction and £10,000 for any matching family DNA.
Robina added: "His killer disappeared into the night and over 40 years later, his remaining family are still searching for answers.
"The police now have a DNA profile of the killer, so when anyone provides a name, it will be possible to 100% identify him.
"Will you help by coming forward with the name of anyone you believe committed this evil crime? We understand you may be reticent to do so, for fear your own identity gets out.
"However, we guarantee none of your details will be shared with anyone, including the police, if that is your wish.
"The right name is out there; maybe you will be the one to help solve this murder? If the name you give us is 100% confirmed by the police to be George's killer, even if that person is now deceased, you will receive the £50,000 reward.
"Private message us via the George Murdoch Facebook Appeals Page or email us at:-jdhallfield@mail.co.uk."
Speaking to the family on the basis of anonymity in February, the source rubbished any idea of it being a 'robbery gone wrong' adding the profile matched that of 'the most dangerous animal'.
He said: "This was a planned and deliberate act of pure evil and he was confident enough to go through with it. This man is on the police computer somewhere and not for anything minor either."
Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, previously told the Daily Record: 'George Murdoch's family have dealt with his loss with a great deal of dignity over the years since his senseless murder.
"They deserve answers about what happened to him."
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