Patrick Mackay, known infamously as the “Devil’s Disciple,” is one of England’s most notorious serial killers.
His life is a grim testament to the horrors of untreated mental illness, childhood abuse, and the potential for human brutality. Mackay’s criminal spree in the mid-1970s shocked the nation and left an indelible mark on the history of British crime.
Early Years: A Troubled Childhood
Patrick David Mackay was born on September 25, 1952, in Dartford, Kent. From the beginning, his life was marred by violence and instability. Mackay’s father, Harold, was an alcoholic who frequently subjected Patrick and his siblings to physical abuse. The family environment was toxic, with Harold’s abusive tendencies creating an atmosphere of fear and instability.
The situation worsened when Harold died of a heart attack when Patrick was just ten years old. The loss of his father deeply affected him, and he became increasingly withdrawn and violent. His mother, Marian, struggled to control him, and his behaviour grew more erratic and dangerous. Patrick would often act out violently, displaying a worrying lack of empathy and an obsession with fire. These early signs of psychopathy were largely ignored by those around him.
Descent into Madness: From Delinquent to Killer
Mackay’s teenage years were marked by a series of escalating criminal activities. He was expelled from numerous schools due to his violent behaviour and began committing petty crimes, such as theft and vandalism. His criminal activities became more serious over time, and he eventually served time in a youth detention centre. It was during this period that Mackay’s fascination with Nazism and the occult began to take root. He idolized Adolf Hitler and adopted the nickname “Franklin Bollvolt the First,” a moniker he believed sounded suitably grandiose and intimidating.
By the time Mackay reached his early twenties, his mental health had significantly deteriorated. He was diagnosed with severe personality disorders, including psychopathy and schizophrenia. Despite his diagnosis, he was not effectively treated or supervised. This lack of intervention allowed Mackay to spiral further into madness, ultimately leading to a series of brutal murders.
The Murders: A Reign of Terror
Patrick Mackay’s journey into the dark world of serial murder began with an escalating pattern of violence and psychological instability that would culminate in a series of brutal killings, each more horrifying than the last. The details of his crimes reveal a disturbed mind driven by a mixture of hatred, delusion, and an almost incomprehensible capacity for violence.
The first known victim of Patrick Mackay’s murderous spree was Edward Evans, a homeless man whose life came to a gruesome end in 1973. Mackay, who had by then already displayed a tendency towards extreme violence, encountered Evans in the streets. The precise details of their interaction remain unclear, but what is known is that Mackay, in a fit of rage or perhaps cold calculation, attacked Evans with an axe. The savage nature of the attack left Evans dead, marking the beginning of Mackay’s descent into serial murder.
Mackay’s next known victim was Isabella Griffiths, an 87-year-old widow living in Chelsea. In October 1974, Mackay gained access to her home under the pretence of needing help. Once inside, his demeanour shifted from feigned helplessness to deadly aggression. He strangled Griffiths with his bare hands, leaving her lifeless body in her own home. The vulnerability of his elderly victim and the cold-blooded manner of the murder highlighted Mackay’s lack of empathy and the growing intensity of his violent impulses.
Following this, Mackay’s brutality took another dark turn with the murder of Adele Price, another elderly woman living alone. In January 1975, he entered her home in a similar manner, pretending to seek assistance or offer some benign service. Once he had gained her trust and entry into her house, he proceeded to strangle her, just as he had with Isabella Griffiths. The pattern of targeting elderly, isolated women showed Mackay’s predatory nature, seeking out those least able to defend themselves.
Perhaps the most infamous and chilling of Mackay’s crimes was the murder of Father Anthony Crean. Unlike his previous victims, Crean was someone Mackay had come to know personally. The Roman Catholic priest had shown kindness and offered help to Mackay, who was clearly struggling with his mental health. However, Mackay’s twisted mind interprets this kindness through a lens of paranoia and delusion. On March 21, 1975, he visited Crean’s home in Shorne, Kent. What followed was an act of extreme violence that shocked even the most hardened detectives. Mackay attacked Father Crean with an axe, bludgeoning him repeatedly. Not content with the savagery of the attack, he then dragged the priest to the bathroom and drowned him in the bathtub. The scene left behind was one of nightmarish horror, with blood-spattered walls and the lifeless body of a man who had only sought to help.
In the aftermath of these murders, Mackay’s erratic behaviour and grandiose confessions to acquaintances began to draw the attention of the police. He often boasted about his crimes, revelling in the fear and shock they induced. This hubris ultimately led to his downfall. The police, who had been piecing together evidence from the various crime scenes, began to see a pattern. When they finally searched Mackay’s flat, they found a macabre collection of Nazi memorabilia, weapons, and a detailed diary of his thoughts and deeds. These discoveries provided the final pieces of the puzzle, confirming Mackay’s guilt and leading to his arrest.
The trial that followed in November 1975 revealed the full extent of Mackay’s brutality. He confessed to several murders, and the court accepted his plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility for the deaths of Isabella Griffiths, Adele Price, and Father Anthony Crean. His confessions were detailed and chilling, painting a picture of a man who had completely lost touch with any sense of morality or empathy.
Patrick Mackay was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the recommendation that he serve at least 20 years. However, the nature of his crimes and his apparent lack of remorse made it clear to many that he should never be released. His time in prison has been marked by ongoing debates about his potential for rehabilitation and the risks of releasing someone with such a violent past.
Mackay’s case continues to be a source of fascination and horror, a grim reminder of the depths of human depravity. The murders he committed were not just acts of violence but were steeped in a profound darkness that left a lasting impact on the families of his victims and the broader community. As he remains behind bars, the memory of his crimes serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for evil that can arise from untreated mental illness and deep-seated psychological trauma.
Capture and Trial: The End of the Killing Spree
Mackay’s reign of terror came to an end in March 1975, shortly after the murder of Father Crean. His erratic behaviour and grandiose confessions to acquaintances eventually led the police to suspect him. When officers searched his flat, they found a chilling array of Nazi memorabilia, weapons, and a detailed diary of his crimes. Faced with overwhelming evidence, Mackay confessed to several murders.
During his trial in November 1975, Mackay pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility for the murders of Isabella Griffiths, Adele Price, and Father Anthony Crean. The court accepted his plea, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation that he serve at least 20 years.
Controversies and Current Status
Since his imprisonment, Patrick Mackay has been the subject of much controversy and debate. One of the most contentious issues has been the possibility of his release. Given his life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years, Mackay has been eligible for parole since the mid-1990s. However, his release has been consistently denied due to concerns about his potential danger to the public.
Mackay has reportedly undergone extensive psychiatric treatment while in prison, and some reports suggest he has shown signs of rehabilitation. Nevertheless, the nature of his crimes and the fear that he might re-offend have made authorities cautious about granting him freedom. The families of his victims and the public at large have also expressed strong opposition to his release, arguing that someone capable of such heinous acts should never be allowed to walk free.
In recent years, there have been renewed discussions about Mackay’s potential release. His case has been reviewed multiple times, and each review brings fresh waves of anxiety and outrage from those affected by his crimes. As of now, Patrick Mackay remains incarcerated, but the question of his eventual release continues to loom over his case.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Horror
The case of Patrick Mackay is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of untreated mental illness and childhood trauma. His life, marked by violence and instability from an early age, ultimately led him down a path of unimaginable brutality. Despite the passage of time, the horror of his crimes remains fresh in the minds of those who remember his victims and the fear he instilled in the community.
Mackay’s story is also a sobering reflection on the criminal justice system’s challenges in dealing with individuals who exhibit extreme violent tendencies. His ability to evade detection for so long and the ongoing debate about his potential release highlight the complexities of balancing justice, rehabilitation, and public safety.
As Patrick Mackay continues to serve his sentence, his name remains synonymous with one of the darkest chapters in British criminal history. The legacy of his crimes endures, a chilling testament to the depths of human depravity and the enduring impact of unresolved trauma and mental illness.
