Latest news with #ex-Navy
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Evil brothers killed my husband & dumped him in shallow grave – I hate them and I always will
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE wife of tragic cyclist Tony Parsons has said she still 'hates' the twins who mowed him down and buried him in a peat bog where he lay undiscovered for more than three years. Margaret Parsons has spoken for the first time about Alexander 'Sandy' McKellar, who pled guilty to the culpable homicide of 63-year-old Tony, and his brother Robert, who was convicted of trying to defeat the ends of justice. 4 Alexander McKellar mowed down charity cyclist Tony Parsons Credit: PA 4 Robert McKellar helped his brother hide Tony's body and destroy his belongings Credit: PA 4 Tony Parsons' body was buried on an estate where the twins lived Credit: PA 4 The widow of Tony Parsons, Margaret Parsons (centre) leaves the High Court Credit: PA She tells the latest instalment of BBC Scotland's Murder Case series she cannot forgive the brothers for what they did to the ex-Navy officer she married when she was just 17. Margaret, 68, says: 'They just wanted to protect themselves. They could have helped but they didn't. 'They took Tony — and left us not knowing where he was for three and a half years. 'There has been no remorse. Nothing from them at all. 'To be honest, I hate the both of them. I really do. I'm still angry. It won't go away.' Prostate-cancer survivor Tony set out on his 100-mile cycle ride on Friday, September 29, 2017, heading from Fort William to his home in Tillicoultry, Stirlingshire, to raise money for charity. He sent a couple of messages to Margaret, confirming he had arrived safely and was setting off on his ride. Tony was last seen leaving the Bridge of Orchy Hotel at 11pm that night. The owner tried to persuade him to book a room due to the awful weather conditions but, after a coffee, the intrepid grandfather continued on his journey. He was never seen again. His children Mike and Vicky, who are active police officers, tell the two-part documentary that after failed efforts to contact their dad the next day, they soon feared the worst. Mushroom cook killer tried to kill husband with poisoned curry & cookies Mike, 50, says: 'I got a message from my sister telling me he hadn't been in contact. 'We had a conversation as to what his exact plans were as they might have taken longer than anticipated.' Vicky, 44, continues: 'On the Saturday he hadn't phoned anybody or checked in and his phone went straight to answer machine. 'On the Sunday I decided to take a drive up to see how he was getting on — to see if he wanted to continue or come home. But I saw absolutely no sign of my dad. 'By Sunday evening we were starting to get really concerned. 'On Monday morning I reported him as a missing person.' Margaret continues: 'I heard the front door go. First I thought it was Tony but it wasn't — it was Vicky. 'She said 'Mum, I've reported Dad missing.' I thought for her to do that, it must be bad.' A manhunt, involving police and mountain rescue teams, was launched that same day. CCTV captured Tony leaving the train station in Fort William and heading along the A82, but there was no sign of him by Tyndrum, Stirlingshire. An anonymous letter to the police pointed the finger at the twins, who had been drinking at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel at the time of Tony's disappearance. But despite interviewing the pair twice, officers took no further action. Vicky says: 'One of the hardest things is we are from a policing background. Being in the police, you know what comes next. 'We knew that he could walk through the door one day with a miraculous story — or he could be found by a dog walker.' Mike adds: 'I spent about 13 years as a member of the police search team. So when it came to a week [after the disappearance] there was a definite change of mindset because he would have been without water and food. 'That became really difficult. My sister is a serving officer as well so she was well aware where my mind was going.' And Margaret — who had been used to being separated from Tony for months at a time during his career on the UK's nuclear submarine fleet — was still hopeful he would return. She says: 'I kept thinking he would just walk in. I didn't want to think it was bad. I tried not to think about him not coming home.' After several months the search for Tony was wound down and the mystery was then treated as a longterm missing person case. But the investigation had a massive breakthrough on December 27, 2020, when Sandy McKeller's ex-girlfriend Dr Caroline Muirhead made a tearful 999 call to report the 'murder' of Tony Parsons. She told the call handler how her 'recent partner' had been involved in a 'a hit and run . . . disposal of a body and lying to the police'. 'I can't live with it,' she added. 'I have to report it.' Sandy had confessed all to Caroline when the couple decided to get engaged after four months of courtship with a promise to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets. The gamekeeper had driven her to the remote spot where he and his brother had buried Tony, but revealed they now planned to dig up the body and burn it, fearing proposed bridge works would expose his remains. TIMELINE OF HORROR SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 — Tony Parsons sets off on his 100-mile charity cycle from Fort William to Tillicoultry, Stirlingshire. OCTOBER 1, 2017 — His daughter Vicky searches the A82 for her dad. OCTOBER 2, 2017 — Vicky reports her dad missing, with police and rescue teams launching a massive search operation. DECEMBER 27, 2020 — Sandy McKeller's ex-girlfriend Dr Caroline Muirhead makes a tearful 999 call to report the 'murder' of Tony Parsons. DECEMBER 30, 2020 — The twins give a 'no comment' interview when questioned by police in Glasgow, at the same time specialist teams descend on Auch Estate near Bridge of Orchy. JANUARY 12, 2021 — Tony Parsons' remains are discovered at the exact spot Dr Caroline Muirhead had crushed a Red Bull can into the ground as a marker. The McKellers, then 29, are charged and remanded in custody. JULY 26, 2023 — After a plea deal the twins are convicted in connection with the death of Tony Parsons. AUGUST 25, 2023 — The 31-year-old twins are sentenced. Judge Lord Armstrong tells the brothers they had caused Mr Parsons' family 'devastating loss and emotional ongoing harm' adding, 'I suspect no sentence will ever be regarded as sufficient.' Shocked by his confessions, pathologist Caroline crushed a Red Bull she had been carrying into the ground at the exact spot where Sandy said he had buried Tony. Mike says: 'I had spent three years coming to terms with the fact that my dad wasn't coming home. 'I was at peace with myself, with that was the way it was going to be. 'Then one phone call flipped everything upside down.' Police called in specialist digging teams, including forensic soil specialist Prof Norma Dawson, who tells the documentary: 'The cold, wet peat had kept Mr Parsons so well he still looked like the images from the day he disappeared.' An autopsy discovered 'catastrophic' rib, pelvic and spine injuries meant that Tony couldn't have survived more than 30 minutes. The twins had taken their badly damaged Isuzu — which was later repaired 'by a friend of a friend' — and returned in another car to move the dying cyclist. They dumped him behind a house on the Auch Estate where they both lived and worked as deer stalkers, then buried his body in a remote part of the estate next to a pit where they would dump the carcasses of animals. Mike says: 'He would have been in massive amounts of pain, so to not seek any medical treatment was 100 per cent inhumane.' In 2023, Sandy was sentenced to 12 years in prison with his brother Robert, receiving a term of just over five years. But Margaret says: 'When they get out of jail they're going to go on with life as if nothing has happened. 'I can't do that because Tony's not here. 'They're not the ones left with a life sentence. I am. Because that's what they've done.' Murder Case: The Vanishing Cyclist begins on August 12 on BBC Scotland at 9pm. Both episodes available on BBC iPlayer from the same day.
South Wales Argus
01-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Newport man walks 40-mile challenge marking 50th birthday
Joel Bramwell embarked on the challenge on June 21, walking from Brecon to Newport along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, to raise funds for two charities close to his heart – St David's Hospice Care and The Brain Tumour Charity. The walk was a tribute to his father, with whom he shared countless memories of walking the same canal in the early 1990s. Joel wanted to revisit the walk he last completed with his father as a teenager (Image: St David's Hospice) Mr Bramwell said: "I turned 50 earlier in June. "As part of the birthday celebrations, I decided to revisit the walk and remember the memories of my dad who I last did it with when I was 17. "His mantra as an ex-Navy man was 'to the limit and beyond' and it has stuck with me." The inspiration from his father, coupled with the beautiful scenery and wildlife, kept him going through the physically demanding walk. He added: "It was a wonderful way to celebrate, while raising money for St David's Hospice and The Brain Tumour Charity, who took care of friends and family we have lost to these diseases. "I wanted to give something back to the people who cared for and supported my family and many friends." Joel wanted to give back to the charities that have supported his family and multiple friends over the years (Image: Joel Bramwell) At the time of counting, Mr Bramwell has raised around £1,200, which he plans to split equally between the two charities. A spokesperson for St David's Hospice expressed their gratitude towards Mr Bramwell's efforts and donations. They said: "We are so grateful to Joel for taking on such an incredible walk in support of St David's Hospice Care - this challenge took a huge amount of dedication to complete so many miles with an outstanding total raised. "We are indebted to the local community for their ongoing fundraising that makes such a pivotal difference. All our care is provided free of charge, however it costs £15,000 every single day to provide that care making support such as this vital to the hospice. A huge well done and thank you to Joel as well as to every donor and supporter!" Joel was joined by friends and family for some of the walk (Image: Joel Bramwell) Mr Bramwell's efforts will help support the work of St David's Hospice Care, which provides care for those living with a life-limiting illness. It offers round-the-clock expert care, managing patients' pain, and looking after their emotional, spiritual, and social needs. The charity provides a friendly, welcoming environment, helping patients to live their lives to the fullest. Joel has raised around £1200 to split between the charities, well beyond his target of £500 for each charity (Image: Joel Bramwell) Mr Bramwell's challenge has not only raised much-needed funds but also raised awareness of the important work these charities do. His efforts are a testament to the power of personal motivation and community support, proving that even individual actions can make a significant difference. His story serves as an inspiration to others, showing that personal milestones can be used to support and give back to the community. By turning his 50th birthday celebration into a charity fundraiser, Mr Bramwell has demonstrated a selfless commitment to helping others and honouring the memory of his father and other loved ones.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
McDonald's offers free Quarter Pounders if you share a name with Brad Pitt after star's visit
A spokeswoman for McDonald's told the Herald: 'Following Brad Pitt's visit, we wanted to share the love with all Brads across Aotearoa.' On Easter Sunday, April 20, the video of Pitt at McDonald's was shared to social media. The fan's mother posted the video on Facebook showing her daughter approaching Pitt while the star was in a vehicle in the drive-through queue. 'Just say hello to my Dad?' the girl asked the movie star while filming on her mobile phone. Pitt, wearing aviator-style sunglasses, a bucket hat and a cosy plaid jacket, appeared to look off guard and told the girl 'no'. 'Oh, you can't? Sorry,' the girl said. Pitt, smiling, quickly interjected, 'I'm sorry, Hi Dad,' throwing in a wave for the camera. 'All right, moving on, happy Easter.' A video caption accompanying the clip from the girl's mother said: 'What a lucky day!!' Pitt was filming in New Zealand for his latest film project, Heart of the Beast. The Herald understands he was filming at Kumeū Film Studio last week. Studio staff told a neighbour Pitt was there working on a film. It's believed he has been staying in Muriwai and was seen either arriving on set in a helicopter or driving to the studio in a black 4WD. In March, shooting was under way in Queenstown, with the area stepping up as the backdrop for Alaska in the film. The movie will tell the story of an ex-Navy Seal and his retired combat dog attempting to return to civilisation after a catastrophic accident deep in the wilderness. Pitt's production company Plan B is producing the film for Paramount Pictures. Sources told the Herald's Society Insider that Pitt has more security in tow than any film star has had previously while working in New Zealand. Pitt reunites on the latest film with director David Ayer after they worked together on the 2014 World War II action blockbuster Fury. The producers are the Oscar-winning film-maker Damien Chazelle of Whiplash and La La Land, and actor Olivia Hamilton.
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Hollywood star Brad Pitt does favour for young Kiwi fan at Auckland McDonald's drive-through
A young fan met Brad Pitt at a McDonald's drive-through in Kumeū. Pitt, filming Heart of the Beast, is believed to have been working at Kumeū Film Studio this week. The film, produced by Pitt's Plan B, features an ex-Navy Seal and his retired combat dog. A young Kiwi fan's surprise encounter with Brad Pitt while at a McDonald's drive-through in Auckland has been captured on video. On April 29, Easter Sunday, the fan's mother shared the video on Facebook showing her daughter approaching Pitt while the Hollywood A-lister was in a vehicle in the drive-thru queue at a McDonald's in Kumeū. 'Just say hello to my Dad?' the girl asked the movie star while filming on her mobile phone. Pitt, wearing aviator-style sunglasses, a bucket hat and a cosy plaid jacket, appeared to look off guard and told the girl 'no'.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two California judges file suit against LADWP, saying utility failed to prepare, respond to fire
Two federal judges who lost their Pacific Palisades homes in the January firestorm have joined hundreds of their neighbors in suing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, claiming the utility failed to properly prepare for the wildfire and respond when it broke out. U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson, who currently sits on the Central District of California's court, and Vijay "Jay" Gandhi, who served as a magistrate judge in the same court, filed the lawsuit last week along with their families. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that the Palisades conflagration "was caused by both LADWP's water and power assets, specifically empty reservoirs and energized powerlines." The lawsuit cites reporting from The Times that found LADWP's Sana Ynez Reservoir, located in the Palisades, sat empty during the firefight, having been closed months prior for repairs. "Despite dire warnings by the National Weather Service of a 'Particularly Dangerous Condition-Red Flag Warning,' of 'critical fire weather' which had the potential for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, the LADWP was unprepared for the Palisades fire," the complaint said. A request for comment from L.A.-based law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, which was hired by LADWP to handle Palisades fire litigation, was not immediately answered. LADWP's most recent statement about pending litigation said it expects plaintiffs to continue to join such lawsuits, but it dismissed claims that the utility provider wasn't prepared and could be held responsible for the fire. "While our crews and system were prepared for situations that might strain the system, no urban water system is designed to combat a massive, wind-driven wildfire of the speed and scale presented by the historically destructive Palisades Fire," the statement said, an explanation that several experts have backed up. Read more: Holocaust survivor, ex-Navy pilot among seniors suing L.A. over Palisades fire damage The utility also said that "long settled law and precedent prevent water utilities, and their rate payers, from being liable for wildfire losses." The current and former federal judges who filed the suit as residents, not in any official capacity, disagree with that line of defense. One of the judges worked as a mediator in prior fire settlements between Pacific Gas & Electric and residents. 'The city must stand up and claim responsibility and do right by the residents of the Palisades. And that's why I joined this battle,' Gandhi, who worked as the mediator, said in an interview with the Los Angeles Daily News. He called the Palisades fire a "manifestation of risks that were widely known but ignored. And the city needs to acknowledge that, because it can't happen again." The judges' lawsuit was recently consolidated with more than 10 other similar cases against LADWP, brought by more than 750 other residents, according to one of the attorneys working on the cases, Alexander Robertson. The long list of cases against the utility continue to pile up as homeowners seek compensation for damage they believe was caused by the utility's mismanagement of water resources or its power lines. The suit also alleges that most of LADWP power lines remained energized during the fire, causing "additional ignitions and fires in Pacific Palisades during a predicted Santa Ana wind event, ... [which] accelerated the rapid spread of the Palisades Fire," the complaint says. LADWP "knew about the significant risk wildfires posed in the event of ineffective infrastructure management, delayed repairs, unsafe equipment, and/or aging infrastructure decades before the Palisades Fire," the complaint said. It called the nearby reservoirs and electric lines public necessities, saying that "failure of one critical infrastructure can potentially have a domino effect." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
