Gun held to NZ business mogul’s temple

Shocking new details have emerged after New Zealand business mogul Doug McKay’s wife was killed while shopping at a ritzy Californian mall.

Shocking new details have emerged after New Zealand business mogul Doug McKay’s wife was killed while shopping at a ritzy Californian mall.

Mr McKay and his wife Patricia (Trish) McKay, 68, of Auckland, were on holiday in the US when tragedy unfolded on Wednesday.

The pair were strolling through the up-market Fashion Island mall at Newport Beach in California when they were set upon by two men.

Ms McKay was killed when she was hit by a car driven during a botched robbery attempt, while her husband escaped uninjured.

A woman who saw the horror unfold just a metre away from where the Kiwi couple were “violently assaulted” was left traumatised.

Patricia and Doug McKay. Patricia was killed during a botched robbery while shopping at Newport Beach in California.

The witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told the NZ Herald she saw two offenders approach the couple before wrestling with them for their shopping.

She claimed they shoved the Kiwis to the ground, with one of the offenders allegedly putting a gun to Mr McKay’s temple.

“I just saw the thug aggressively grab and wrestle him (Doug) for the bags and he was fighting back. This man just got him to the ground aggressively and radically,” she told the NZ Herald.

“I was almost going to pounce on that thug and then the gun came out right to his (Doug’s) head really aggressively and hard. I saw the barrel press on his temple and I just bolted.”

‘I am so regretful’

The woman said she has deep regret for not trying to help but got scared when the offender pulled out their gun.

“I ran towards the mall thinking I wouldn’t make it to the door,” she said, fearing the man she made eye contact with holding the gun would shoot her in the back.

A witness said she has deep regret for not trying to help the McKays when they were set upon by two men. Pictured is one of the suspects surrounded by police. Picture: CBS News LA

The moment she reached the door, she turned back to find Ms McKay being “violently pushed to the ground”.

“She was putting up a fight and my heart is broken because (Doug) had to have witnessed that whole thing,” the woman said.

“I am so regretful that I didn’t do anything. I didn’t do the right thing. I ran like a coward.

“I was ready to deck the thug and take a beating but the gun scared me and I ran. Everyone started screaming and ran.”

The woman begged the McKays to “please forgive me” adding she feels “just horrific” for not being able to help.

The men fled the scene before being captured by police. Picture: CBS News LA

“If a couple of us could have jumped on her, we could’ve saved her life. I think that’s the regret I have, I should’ve been willing to risk it and not been afraid of that ridiculous gun,” she told the publication.

According to local police, a struggle broke out before the men dragged Ms McKay to a carpark. It was there she was allegedly run over by a third person driving a white Toyota Camery before the trio allegedly made a getaway.

Three shots were reportedly fired during the ordeal, however no one was struck by the stray bullets.

Sergeant Steve Oberon of the Newport Beach Police Department said the incident was “surprising and shocking”, especially as it occurred in a city generally regarded as safe.

Ms McKay was killed after being struck by a fleeing car. Picture: ABC7 LA

Newport Beach Police Department spokeswoman Heather Rangel said an investigation continues however three suspects had been taken in to custody.

Police identified the trio as Leroyernest Joseph McCrary, 26, of Compton, Jaden Cunningham, 18, of Lancaster and Malachi Edward Darnell, 18, of Los Angeles. All three were taken into custody on suspicion of homicide, robbery with a firearm and conspiracy.

The trio was arrested after a lengthy car chase through the streets of Newport Beach, and eventually along highways to Cypress. It is there the suspects ditched the car and tried to run away before being captured.

Police arrest a suspect in the killing of Ms McKay. Picture: Onscene.tv

Another suspect is arrested. Picture: Onscene.tv

‘An absolute tragedy’

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called Ms McKay’s death “an absolute tragedy”.

“My thoughts are with the McKay family after the devastating loss of Trish. They’re great people and my heart goes out to Doug, their family and all those who knew Trish,” Mr Luxon said in an X post on Thursday.

In an interview with Newstalk ZB’s Kerre Woodham, he revealed he knew the McKays very well.

“He’s a great man and it’s a great family … I think the family will be in huge shock and all our thoughts and prayers are with them,” he said.

“They’re top people.”

Auckland’s Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson also paid tribute to Ms McKay, saying the 68-year-old was “amazing, funny, loyal, and loving” and that she was “beyond devastated”.

My thoughts are with the McKay family after the devastating loss of Trish. They’re great people and my heart goes out to Doug, their family and all those who knew Trish.

— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) July 3, 2024

“Trish was the wife of Doug McKay who was (among other significant roles) the inaugural CEO of the amalgamated Auckland Council,” Ms Simpson said.

“Trish was amazing – funny, loyal, and loving. My absolute deepest sympathies to Doug and her family. In absolute shock.”

In a statement released by those close to Ms McKay, family said: “No words can express our sadness as we try to come to terms with the loss of our mother, wife, and friend Patricia.

“We ask for privacy at this time as we work through this as a family.”

Who is Doug McKay

Doug McKay was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015 for services to business and local government.

He has a long history in business spanning more than 35 years having held governance roles various large businesses including Fletcher Building, Genesis Energy, Ryman Healthcare, Insurance Australia Group New Zealand Ltd, Bank of New Zealand, and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

He is also a former chairperson of Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Group and former Auckland City Mission board member.

Mr McKay was the first chief executive of the new “supercity” Auckland Council when it formed in 2010. He left that role in 2013.

He is currently the chair and independent director of energy company Vector and a director of IAG Holdings Ltd. He is also an independent non-executive director of the National Australia Bank (NAB).

“Doug has gained industry experience as Chair of BNZ (2016-2024) (and non-executive director 2013-2024). This has supplemented Doug’s extensive experience in business performance, capital management, risk management and stakeholder engagement with banking context,” his NAB bio reads.

He is also a former chairperson of Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Group and former Auckland City Mission board member and he was the first chief executive of the new ‘supercity’ Auckland Council for three years from when it formed in 2010.

– with Vanessa Brown