Latest news with #JamesCallander
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Update in hunt for Cheesewire Killer 41 years after notorious unsolved murder
It comes two years after detectives made a major DNA breakthrough DETECTIVES have issued a major update amid their hunt for the mysterious 'Cheesewire Killer' who murdered a taxi driver 41 years ago. George Murdoch, 58, was battered and choked to death in a quiet street in Aberdeen back in 1983. Advertisement 4 George Murdoch, 58, was attacked on a dimly lit street in Aberdeen Credit: PA 4 An identical replica of the cheese wire believed to have been used to kill George 4 DI James Callander in the two-part documentary Forensics: Murder Case Credit: Viacom 4 George Murdoch's taxi was left abandoned after the brutal 1983 murder Credit: Viacom The cabbie was violently attacked after he turned onto Pitfodels Station Road, on the outskirts of the city, on Thursday, September 29, at around 8.45pm. The killer wrapped a cheese wire around his throat, but George fought for his life, managing to break free and escape the cab. Tragically, his assailant caught him and strangled him in the street. Over the years, detectives followed several lines of enquiry and checked a number of different leads. Advertisement They also conducted 10,000 house-to-house inquiries and recorded 7,000 statements, but the killer was never found. In September 2023, police investigating the decades-old murder revealed that they made a major DNA breakthrough. Dod was a gentle, likeable and kind-hearted man, who usually had a smile on his face. We all miss him terribly and hope for some closure George Murdoch's family Advancements in forensic analysis enabled a DNA profile of a man to be identified from crime scene material, which would help police with their investigation. The profile was referred to as Male Z after it did not match the samples of anyone on the national DNA database. Advertisement However, it did help officers rule out certain suspects who gave the force a sample of their DNA. The force has been working with the National Crime Agency to create a list of 1,000 people who have a possible genetic match to the profile. Grim discovery in car hauled from water sparks breakthrough in 15yr old cold case While they are not considered suspects, they all have a strong genetic link to the DNA profile of Male Z. And this has prompted cops to approach them and ask them for DNA samples, according to the Liverpool Echo. Advertisement Over the last 18 months, officers have been visiting people in Liverpool, Wirral, Manchester and Yorkshire who have a similar DNA to the suspect and asked them to provide a sample. This new line of enquiry was explored in Channel 5's new documentary called Forensics: Murder Case. The two-part show, which aired on Monday and Tuesday this week, showed police speaking to various members of the public. 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 Detective Inspector James Callander Detective Inspector James Callander, from Police Scotland, said this was key to taking them one step closer to finding the killer. Advertisement Speaking on the documentary, he said: "Because we know that the Male Z profile is not on the DNA database, we can't search for him. "So we need to search for family members. There are around 5 million people on their DNA database vs about 66 million in the UK. 'Out of the 5 million, we've got over 1,000 names most similar to the Male Z DNA profile. "It's physically impossible to meet or identify every single person. But we will do as much as we can. Advertisement FAMILY'S PLEA THE latest update comes after George's family previously appealed to the public in 2023 to come forward with any information about his death. The slain cabbie's wife Jessie never got over the horror and died in 2004, while some of George's closest relatives have also passed away. But George's nephew Alex McKay has never stopped looking for answers about what happened to his beloved uncle. In a statement through Police Scotland, his family said: "Our family was rocked by what happened to Dod, and it continues to affect us today. 'Forty years is a long time to go without all of the answers to what happened to him, but it's never too late to see justice served. "We urge anyone with any information that could assist the investigation, no matter what it is, to contact the police. 'Dod was a gentle, likeable and kind-hearted man, who usually had a smile on his face. "We all miss him terribly and hope for some closure.' 'The family has hopes and expectations. Nobody has ever been brought to justice for this crime. Familial DNA is the key to solving this.' Adam Gregory, a behavioural expert at the National Crime Agency, added: 'There's something really criminally ingrained in this individual. "Those individuals are more likely to have criminal family members, and therefore more likely to have relatives that are on the national criminal database.' DC Rachel Polson, who was one of the police officers who travelled to Merseyside, said: "Their DNA is similar to that of the killer. It's not the same DNA; it's not the exact match. Advertisement "It could be a relative, could be a very distant relative, or it could be the fact that they have very similar DNA.' Detective Inspector James Callander, from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, told the Scottish Sun: 'George Murdoch's family have dealt with his loss with a great deal of dignity over the years since his senseless murder. The family has hopes and expectations. Nobody has ever been brought to justice for this crime. Familial DNA is the key to solving this Detective Inspector James Callander "They deserve answers about what happened to him. 'We are continuing to focus on familial DNA links which have been identified which may assist us in tracing people who can help with our enquiries. Advertisement "I want to make clear again, these individuals are not suspects, but we hope they may be able to help with our ongoing investigation. "I would like to thank everyone who has provided their DNA for their help so far and would urge anyone who hasn't yet done so, to contact officers. "We also continue to receive information from the public about what may have happened to George and any new information we do receive is thoroughly investigated. 'Anyone with any information is asked to please come forward. We want to give George's family some much needed closure.' Advertisement The force has urged anyone with any information to contact Police Scotland via 101 or e-mail a dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Daily Record
Man charged after death of man 'stabbed' on Aberdeen street
Police raced to the Pennan Road area of the city around 12.35am on Thursday, July 10, following a disturbance at a property in Coningham Terrace. A man has been charged in connection with the death of a young man following an alleged fatal stabbing on a street in Aberdeen. Police raced to the Pennan Road area of the city around 12.35am on Thursday, July 10, following a disturbance at a property in Coningham Terrace. A 24-year-old man was rushed to hospital where despite medics best efforts he died a short time later. His next of kin are aware. A 25-year-old man was earlier arrested in connection with his death. Police have confirmed the man has now been charged and is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday, July 14. Detectives are continuing to probe the death and say additional officers will remain in the area. Yesterday, a significant police presence was spotted in the area as forensics scoured a garden on the street. Additional officers remain in the area. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Images showed a sizable cordon in place as cops in uniform stood guard. Officers in white suits were seen taking photos and combing over a path outside a flat. Detective Inspector James Callander from the Major Investigation Team said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at what is an extremely difficult time. "Officers are offering support and keeping them updated with the progress of our investigation. "Additional officers remain in the area and anyone with concerns can approach these officers.'
STV News
11-07-2025
- STV News
Man charged after death of 24-year-old found seriously injured
A man has been charged in connection with the death of a 24-year-old found seriously injured in Aberdeen. Officers were called to a report of a man found seriously injured in the Pennan Road area around 12.35am on Thursday. Emergency services attended, and a 24-year-old man was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. A 25-year-old man, who was arrested in connection with the death, has since been charged. STV News A man was found seriously injured in the Pennan Road area, Aberdeen STV News Enquiries remain ongoing, and officers remain in the area. Detective Inspector James Callander from the Major Investigation Team said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at what is an extremely difficult time. 'Officers are offering support and keeping them updated with the progress of our investigation. 'Additional officers remain in the area, and anyone with concerns can approach these officers.' STV News is now on WhatsApp Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
BBC News
11-07-2025
- BBC News
Man arrested in connection with Aberdeen death
A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a man in Aberdeen in the early hours of Thursday. It comes after a 24-year-old man was found seriously injured in Pennan Road in Tillydrone, following a disturbance at a property in nearby Coningham Terrace. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time Scotland said a 25-year-old man had now been arrested. Det Insp James Callander said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at what is an extremely difficult time."Officers are offering support and keeping them updated with the progress of our investigation."
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Daily Record
Man arrested after fatal 'stabbing' on Aberdeen street as cops continue probe
A 25-year-old man has now been arrested in connection with the death. A male has been arrested after a 24-year-old man died following an alleged stabbing on an Aberdeen street. Officers from Police Scotland were called to the Pennan Road area of the granite city at around 12.35am on Thursday, July 10 after receiving a report of a man being found with stab wounds. It came following a disturbance at a property in Coningham Terrace in the Tillydrone area of the city. The 24-year-old man was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. His next of kin are aware. A 25-year-old man has now been arrested in connection with the death as enquiries remain ongoing. Yesterday, a significant police presence was spotted in the area as forensics scoured a garden on the street. Additional officers remain in the area. Images showed a sizable cordon in place as cops in uniform stood guard. Officers in white suits were seen taking photos and combing over a path outside a flat. Detective Inspector James Callander from the Major Investigation Team said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at what is an extremely difficult time. "Officers are offering support and keeping them updated with the progress of our investigation. Additional officers remain in the area and anyone with concerns can approach these officers.' Police will continue to remain in the Tillydrone area of the city in order to reassure the local community. Chief Inspector Darren Bruce, Local Area Commander said yesterday: 'We understand this will be a concerning incident for the local community. 'There will be a continued visible police presence in the area and anyone with concerns can speak to these officers.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
