Intrigue

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Intrigue

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Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter's night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch's wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake; she was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police, launched a tabloid war - and - more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Intrigue: 'Jaw dropping', 'gripping', 'bingeable,' 'thrilling' - dramatic true stories and investigations that reveal how the world really works.

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  1. Introducing... Worse Than Murder

    EPISODE 1

    Introducing... Worse Than Murder

    Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4

    5 min
  2. Worse Than Murder: 1. Muriel Is Missing

    EPISODE 2

    Worse Than Murder: 1. Muriel Is Missing

    In December 1969, Alick McKay, an executive at Rupert Murdoch’s News Limited, arrives home to find his wife, Muriel, had vanished without a trace. He calls the police to report her missing, and soon places another call too – this time to the editor of The Sun newspaper, Larry Lamb, a colleague. Lamb’s presence only raises police suspicions - has Muriel really disappeared, or is this just a press set-up, an effort to boost circulation? Then the phone rings. A mysterious man calling himself M3 says that he has taken Muriel McKay and he’s holding her to ransom for £1 million. Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min
  3. Worse Than Murder: 2. Alick, Darling

    EPISODE 3

    Worse Than Murder: 2. Alick, Darling

    The day after Muriel McKay is snatched from her home, the police gather all the physical evidence they can, and tabloid reporters crowd the pavements outside the house, trying to get a piece of the action. Muriel’s family are desperately trying to make sense of calls by a mysterious man, M3, who claims he has Muriel, and that he’ll return her if the family delivers him a £1 million ransom. It’s only when he sends them a letter, in Muriel’s own handwriting, that they know for sure he’s the most credible suspect. Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min
  4. Worse Than Murder: 3. The Waiting Game

    EPISODE 4

    Worse Than Murder: 3. The Waiting Game

    Muriel McKay’s kidnapper – who calls himself M3 – has stopped calling, and the McKay family are desperate. They use Alick’s media contacts to keep the story at the forefront of the tabloid press, placing rumours designed to make the kidnappers panic, even getting in touch with a clairvoyant via a family friend. But what the press don’t know is that Muriel McKay was kidnapped by mistake. M3’s real target, he says, was Rupert Murdoch’s wife. Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min
  5. Worse Than Murder: 4. Paper Flowers

    EPISODE 5

    Worse Than Murder: 4. Paper Flowers

    After weeks of agonising negotiations, Muriel McKay's kidnapper finally agrees to collect a ransom. The police see their chance to catch M3 and rescue Muriel. They devise an elaborate plan, with undercover officers posing as Muriel's family members, to make the drop. Have they finally out-manoeuvred the elusive M3? Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter's night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch's wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min
  6. Worse Than Murder: 5. A Sense of Evil

    EPISODE 6

    Worse Than Murder: 5. A Sense of Evil

    After weeks of dead ends, police finally have a breakthrough in Muriel McKay's kidnapping case. A suspicious blue Volvo leads them to Rooks Farm in rural Hertfordshire. As they raid the property, they find mounting evidence implicating brothers Arthur and Nizamodeen Hosein. But there's still no sign of Muriel herself. As detectives interrogate the brothers, a disturbing picture emerges of their backgrounds and possible motives. Meanwhile, the search of the sprawling farmland intensifies. Police are now certain they won't find Muriel alive, but can they find enough evidence to bring a murder charge without a body? The press descend on the scene, complicating the investigation. As the case builds, the question remains - what has happened to Muriel McKay? Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4

    28 min
  7. Worse Than Murder: 6. Death Plus

    EPISODE 7

    Worse Than Murder: 6. Death Plus

    The trial of Arthur and Nizamodeen Hosein for Muriel McKay's murder begins in September 1970. Despite the lack of a body, prosecutors build a strong case using forensic evidence. Nizamodeen makes limited admissions, while Arthur spins wild tales. The brothers are found guilty, but the verdict brings little comfort to the McKay family. For decades, they struggle with unresolved grief and unanswered questions about Muriel's fate. Then, in 2021, Nizamodeen resurfaces in Trinidad, seemingly ready to reveal the truth. The family, desperate for closure, engages with him. Nizamodeen claims Muriel died of a heart attack and indicates where he buried her. His story divides the family – some believe him, others are sceptical. A police search based on his information gets underway... Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min
  8. Worse than Murder: 7. The Grand Finale

    EPISODE 8

    Worse than Murder: 7. The Grand Finale

    More than half a century after Muriel McKay's abduction and murder, her body has never been found. This final episode explores the various theories about Muriel's fate - from a beach burial to a gruesome disposal on the farm. New information emerges, including a shocking claim from Arthur Hosein about Muriel's burial site. The McKay family continues their desperate search for answers, while grappling with the media's relentless interest in the case. Jane MacSorley reflects on the role of the press in keeping Muriel's story alive and the ethical implications of true crime reporting. Amid the speculation and theories, Muriel's children share poignant memories of their mother, bringing her to life beyond the tragic circumstances of her death. Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    Introducing Extreme: Peak Danger

    Natalia Mehlman Petrzela introduces Extreme: Peak Danger. A mountain of trouble. In August 2008, around 30 climbers took on K2. Over 2 disastrous days, 11 of those people would lose their lives. This is the story of what really happened. Sitting on the border between China and Pakistan, K2 is a perfect pyramid that pierces through the clouds. It looks like a kid’s drawing of a mountain…but this terrifying peak is anything but child’s play. Newlyweds Cecilie Skog and her husband Rolf Bae loved climbing mountains almost as much as they loved one another. In the summer of 2008, they embarked on a honeymoon like no other, when they decided to climb K2. What happened next would change their lives and the lives of everyone around them…forever. A devastating avalanche scatters high altitude climbers across K2’s steep slopes. Life and death rescue missions quickly get underway. Who can be saved… before time runs out? Historian and podcaster Natalia Mehlman Petrzela returns with a sky-high story of human vs nature, and of survival against all the odds. What does it really take to push yourself to the brink of human possibility? How does it feel to stand with the whole world at your feet? And is it ever worth risking death… in order to feel alive? Peak Danger is Season 2 of Extreme, the BBC podcast about those who chase the impossible... who strive for superhuman status and refuse to accept that life has any limits. Every season tells an unforgettable, action-packed story about people who’ve pushed their minds and bodies to the very edge – but at what cost? Host and Executive Producer: Natalia Mehlman Petrzela Producers: Leigh Meyer & Amalie Sortland Editor: Josephine Wheeler Production Manager: Joe Savage Sound Design and Mix by Nicholas Alexander, with additional engineering from Daniel Kempson. Original Music by Adam Foran, Theme music by Adam Foran and Silverhawk Executive Producers: Max O’Brien & Craig Strachan Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A Novel production for the BBC

    5 min
See All Season 9 (9)

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Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter's night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch's wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake; she was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police, launched a tabloid war - and - more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Intrigue: 'Jaw dropping', 'gripping', 'bingeable,' 'thrilling' - dramatic true stories and investigations that reveal how the world really works.

Information

  • Channel
    BBC
  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Episodes
    90
  • Seasons
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Intrigue
  • Provider
    BBC Studios Distribution Limited

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