DNA breakthrough in unsolved 40-year-old 'cheese wire' murder of taxi driver

29 September 2023 , 10:00

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George 'Dod' Murdoch, who died in an unsolved murder in 1983, and his wife Jessie (Image: PA)

Police have made a new DNA breakthrough in the unsolved murder of a taxi driver 40 years ago.

George Murdoch, known as 'Dod' to his family, was killed in a horrific attack in Aberdeen as he went to pick up a fare on September 29, 1983. Police found him slumped beside his own vehicle, and it was discovered he had been brutally garrotted with cheesewire.

No one has ever been arrested in connection with the crime, but earlier this year, Police Scotland released an image of a man wearing an Iron Maiden T-shirt who detectives think may be able to help with their inquiries. On Friday, the force confirmed they had identified a new DNA profile which could help the investigation.

Murdoch, was garrotted with cheesewire as he went to pick up a fare on September 29, 1983 (Handout)

Police Scotland announced on Friday that they had built a new DNA profile that could assist their enquiries (Collect)

Officers have urged anyone with information to come forward and help George’s family "obtain the closure they desire". On the night of his murder, Mr Murdoch set off along a road out of Aberdeen, before telling the control room: "I've picked up a fare for Culter".

But he never reached his destination on the outskirts of the city, and only nine minutes later he was fighting for his life in a dimly lit street in Pitfodels, an affluent suburb of Aberdeen. Two teenagers on their way home witnessed the struggle between George and his attacker, and raced to a phone and dialled 999, giving the details to the duty officer at Aberdeen's police HQ. The taxi driver died in a pool of blood outside his cab.

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An emotional statement from Mr Murdoch’s family released through police this week said they were "rocked by what happened to Dod" and that it "continues to affect us today".

They added: "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 and we urge anyone with any information that could assist the investigation, no matter what it is, to contact 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.”

Detective Inspector James Callander said: "We have identified a DNA profile which may assist our ongoing enquiries. I would ask everyone to think back to the time George was murdered and if you have any information or concerns from around that time, please don’t dismiss it and contact us. We are hopeful this DNA evidence will allow us to progress this enquiry for George’s family." Anyone with any information can contact police via 101 or e-mail a dedicated inbox at [email protected].

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas