Tip-off may not trigger dig for Mackay

13 Jul 2012, 8:29 pm   -   Source: AAP

The murder of Donald Mackay 35 years ago and the location of his remains may remain a mystery despite police receiving a recent tip-off.

Another anonymous tip-off may not be enough to persuade police to start digging for the remains of 1977 mafia murder victim and father of four Donald Mackay.

NSW Police announced on Friday that a reward for information leading to the discovery of Mr Mackay's remains has been doubled to $200,000.

Detectives investigating the case have interviewed more than 3,500 people over the past 35 years but are no closer to finding out what happened on July 15, 1977, in the NSW Riverina town of Griffith.

Unsolved Homicide chief John Lehmann said the new information received recently detailed possible locations of Mr Mackay's remains but the tip-off wasn't enough to reopen the cold case.

"We're not, and I repeat, we're not intending at this stage to search any particular area based on the information we've received," Detective Chief Inspector Lehmann told reporters on Friday.

"It's been 35 years since Mr Mackay was murdered and we have received countless pieces of information that are similar to that."

On the night of his disappearance, Mr Mackay, 43, left the Griffith Hotel, where he had been drinking with friends, intending to go home.

His keys were found next to his blood-stained van and three spent bullet cases were found nearby.

An extensive police investigation and a 1984 coronial inquest concluded he died of gunshot wounds.

Three men were convicted in Victoria of conspiring to murder him, including James Frederick Bazley, now aged 86, who has denied any involvement and has repeatedly refused to speak to NSW Police.

"He hasn't assisted the police before and I don't expect that he ever will," Det Chief Insp Lehmann said.

One of the men has since died and the location of the third man is unknown, police say.

Mr Mackay was allegedly targeted for identifying to police marijuana farms owned by Australian-born mafia who wanted him dead.

"It's no secret that other persons that have been named (by a Royal Commission) were no doubt involved in Mr Mackay's demise."

Police Minister Michael Gallacher said it was hoped the passage of time would encourage someone with information to come forward.

Actor Andrew McFarlane played Mr Mackay in the 2009 TV series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities.

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