Reward of $200,000 offered in Mackay case

A $200,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the remains of NSW anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay.

The Mafia is believed to be behind the murder of the former Liberal Party candidate, who disappeared after leaving a pub in the Riverina town of Griffith on July 15, 1977.

The offer of $200,000 from the NSW government coincides with the 35th anniversary of his murder.

Mr Mackay was 43 when keys were found next to his blood-stained Mini panel van and three spent bullet cases were found nearby the Kooyoo Street hotel.

The body of the father of four was never located but police are back on the case after a new lead prompted hopes of finding his burial place.

No one has ever been charged with his murder, even though a man served jail time in Victoria for conspiring to murder him, and a Royal Commission named six other men who may have ordered the killing.

Detective Chief Inspector John Lehmann, from the unsolved homicide team, said in a statement the family needed closure.

Inspector Lehmann told Fairfax Media police may have a location soon.

“We have had some information that’s come in in recent times, as to various locations (of Mackay’s remains), and we’re having a look at that and just seeing how viable it is (to pursue),” he said.

It is believed Mr Mackay was killed on the same day he disappeared after his campaign against marijuana growers riled Griffith Mafia dons.

Extensive police investigations and a 1984 coronial inquest concluded he died of wilfully inflicted gunshot wounds.

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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