Mckay ‘a great human’

Former detective Colin Mackay, who led the investigation into one of New Zealand’s worst sex offenders, was a gentle, hardworking man, and something of a paradox.

He shied away from confrontation, with some saying he was ‘‘too nice to be a police officer’’, yet his work led to the imprisonment of a serial rapist dubbed the ‘‘Beast of Blenheim’’.

Mackay died from septicemia, aged 76, on April 10, following an earlier bout in January. He was at home in Blenheim, surrounded by family.

‘‘You can’t be a good or great police officer unless you’re a good or great human, and he was a great human,’’ said New Zealand Police assistant commissioner Tusha Penny.

Mackay worked on a large number of high profile cases while in the criminal investigation branch of the Marlborough Police Force, but he came to prominence after leading the 18-month investigation which resulted in Stewart Murray Wilson’s conviction in 1996. Wilson’s offending involved at least 42 women and girls.

Penny worked alongside Mackay in the investigation.

‘‘He led, to this day, one of the biggest sexual violence investigations this country has ever seen, and he did it in a humble, understated, detailed, forensic manner that meant it was always going to be a success.’’

Mackay was considered, experienced, caring and unassuming in the way he dealt with the dozens of women and children who had been abused by Wilson, she said. ‘‘He represented everything that the best detectives do.

‘‘He can rest knowing that he saved and made so many lives. Not many people serve their country in the way Colin Mackay did.’’ Mackay was quoted describing the investigation in 2011, and recalled the evening following the verdict as a true highlight of his career. He was in the office tidying up the paperwork when he received a call from one of Wilson’s repeat victims.

‘‘She said, ‘Colin toasting to you, sir’...

‘‘That made me feel pretty humble. Here was a woman who had lived her life in fear of Wilson and a woman too scared to give evidence against him, but here was a woman who was so relieved and thrilled justice had been done,’’ Mackay said.

Marlborough Area Commander Inspector Simon Feltham said Mackay had a reputation for his attention to detail and ability to manage complex investigations. After retiring from the police in 1998, Mackay spent the we’re next 20 years growing grapes with wife Sandra in Marlborough. He remained well-known in Marlborough through his contribution to the viticulture industry, Feltham said.

‘‘In this second career the same characteristics that served him well in the police saw him achieve further success.

‘‘His work ethic, unassuming manner and ability to deal with anybody ensured that he remained a highly popular and well-known member of the local community.

‘‘It is ironic that a man renowned for his calm and gentlemanly way of dealing with people of all walks of life is so well known for the investigation into an offender known as the Beast of

Blenheim.’’ Honourable Justice John Warwick Gendall worked alongside Mackay as the lead crown prosecutor in the Wilson case.

‘‘He was dedicated and tremendously compassionate to the victims.’’

Mackay embarked on a mission to find Wilson’s victims all over New Zealand and in other parts of the world, solving one of the ‘‘most dreadful mysteries or tragedies’’, Gendall said.

‘‘I credit Colin and his work in a very large way for what eventuated later that year in me being appointed a judge.’’

Whether it was during an investigation, or tending to the vines, Mackay worked tirelessly and was known for his ‘‘inability to slow down’’.

‘‘It wasn’t work to him. None of it was,’’ daughter Courtney said. But he loved nothing more than his family, she said. ‘‘He did it all for us.’’

He was generous with his opinions of people, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, ‘‘innocent until proven guilty I suppose,’’ Courtney said.

But this could sometimes be to his detriment. He was also generous with his time, and had an ‘‘inability to say no’’, wife Sandra said. ‘‘He was quite selfless really, the fact that he would do anything for anyone else in a heartbeat.’’

He died on his birthday and his 16-month-old grand daughter Indie gave him his last kiss. Earlier that week, he had watched from the kitchen as the harvesters rolled over his crop. Mackay is survived by wife Sandra, children Kelli, Grant and Courtney, and grandchildren.