PROPPED up on the sofa in a nightie, Ivy Davies appeared to be watching the TV when she was found by her daughter.
The mum-of-seven had been battered to death with a steel tool and had one side of her body “ripped apart”.
Mediadrumimages/JohnLucas/PenandSwordBooksIvy Davies was murdered in her home in Essex[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/JohnLucas/PenandSwordBooksSerial killer Patrick Mackay is believed to be behind the horror[/caption]
Ivy’s horrific killing became known as the “Orange Tree Murder” after the cafe she owned by the same name in Westcliff, Essex.
Despite three potential suspects being identified – including “Devil’s Disciple” Patrick Mackay – her death remains a mystery.
Now, on the 50th anniversary of her killing, we revisit a chilling murder that horrified the nation.
Ivy, 48, was a well-known figure in the local community due to her popular cafe.
On February 4, 1975, fears were immediately raised when the mum failed to show up for work.
Daughter Madeline went round to her home nearby and discovered Ivy had been beaten to death.
She had multiple wounds to her head as well as a ligature mark around her neck.
Ivy’s skull had also been shattered by a steel pry bar, which was found close to her body.
Police immediately launched a murder probe and took more than 900 statements as they hunted for the killer.
Officers believed they had a breakthrough when an arrest was made following the discovery of a bloodstained carpet.
The rug had been stored in a neighbour’s loft since Ivy’s murder and led police to arrest their first suspect.
But fluids found on the carpet did not match anyone in the police database so the case went cold.
MYSTERY CALL
Then in 2004, a mystery caller phoned Crimestoppers claiming to have information on the murder.
Police said the person had more details about Ivy’s details than had previously been released but they never came forward again.
The cold case became even more disturbing in 2017 when officers investigated claims Ivy had met an escapee from a mental hospital when he visited her cafe before the murder.
He had allegedly posed as a charming doctor escorting a group of patients who had also absconded from Runwell.
But again, no further information was found and the claims became just another theory over the killing.
Ivy’s death has also long been linked to serial killer Mackay, who carried out a bloody rampage across London and Kent in 1975.
The monster hacked up the body of a priest in a bathtub and slaughtered two other victims.
But Mackay, who was previously the UK’s longest serving prisoner, confessed to four other murders while rotting in jail before retracting his statements.
The killer admitted he knew Ivy’s cafe and had considered robbing it – leading some to suspect he had murdered the mum in a burglary gone wrong.
But Mackay has never been arrested or charged over the horrific case.
One person who believes Mackay is behind Ivy’s death though is her son, Victor.
Forgotten serial killer who butchered a priest with an axe – who was ‘Devil’s Disciple’?
By Holly Christodoulou, Digital Court Editor
DEPRAVED Patrick Mackay, 67, at one stage was the UK’s longest serving prisoner after being convicted of a gruesome killing spree across London and Kent in 1975.
The “psycho” hacked-up the body of a priest in a bathtub and is said to have slaughtered a widow and her four-year-old grandson.
Despite his grisly crimes, Mackay – dubbed the “most dangerous man in Britain” – became a forgotten serial killer.
The monster was convicted of three killings at trial but is suspected of a further eight. His first victim was widow Isabella Griffiths, 87, who was strangled and stabbed at her home in Chelsea.
He then strangled Adele Price, 89, in Kensington before upping his grisly killing technique.
The brute butchered Father Anthony Crean, 63, using his fists, a knife and an axe, before leaving his mutilated body in a bath full of bloody water.
He was charged with five counts of murder but was convicted of three counts of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.
The other two cases were allowed to lie on file – meaning prosecutors believed they had enough evidence but a trial was felt not to be in the public interest.
Among those suspected of being Mackay’s other victims are popular cafe owner Ivy.
The killer also allegedly confessed to four other murders while rotting in jail – including Stephanie Britton and her four-year-old grandson Christopher Martin in 1974.
Another chilling confession was to the murder of au pair Heidi Mnilk, 18, who was knifed in the neck on a train between London Bridge and New Cross before being hurled on to tracks.
Mackay became known as the Monster of Belgravia, the Devil’s Disciple and The Psychopath when he was finally brought to justice.
Speaking previously, he said: “The way she was killed was his MO (modus operandi).
“She was ripped apart on one side of the body. Whoever did it had undressed my mother, put her in a nightdress and put her on her bad side, then turned the TV on.
“It’s never going to go away.
“It makes me wonder if anybody is ever convicted whether it will make any difference.”
Essex Police have issued a fresh plea for information and confirmed the case remains open.
A spokesperson told The Sun Online: “Ivy Davies was found murdered in her home in Holland Road, Westcliff, on February 4, 1975.
“Her brutal and tragic murder remains unsolved but no case is ever closed. We periodically review these cases and continue to seek opportunities as DNA technology continues to advance.
“We would urge anyone who may have information about Ivy’s murder to do the right thing and come forward.
“Over time loyalties change, but what has not changed is the pain Ivy’s family endure by knowing that her killer has not yet faced justice.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Mediadrumimages/JohnLucas/PenandSwordBooksIvy’s death became known as the ‘Orange Tree Murder’[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
