New Zealand Tourist Killed in Newport Beach Mall Speak Out Amidst Heartbreaking Tragedy
Patricia McKay, a New Zealand mother, was tragically killed during an attempted robbery at Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach. Her family and community express their grief and call for privacy during this devastating time.
California, Bollywood Fever: The family of Patricia (Trish) McKay, a mother killed in broad daylight at a luxurious Californian mall, say “no words” can describe the grief they are experiencing. Patricia was visiting Newport Beach, California, with her husband, prominent Auckland businessman Doug McKay, when the pair were attacked by two men at the upscale Fashion Island mall.
Patricia and Doug McKay, who had traveled to the US from New Zealand for a holiday, were browsing the mall when the attempted robbery took place. Local police reported that a struggle ensued, and Patricia was dragged to a carpark where she was allegedly run over by a third person driving a white Toyota Camry. The suspects then made their getaway.
Doug McKay walked away uninjured, although three shots were fired during the ordeal, fortunately not hitting anyone. Heather Rangel from LA’s Police Department stated that the investigation is ongoing, but three suspects have been taken into custody.
The suspects have been identified as 26-year-old Leroyernest Joseph McCrary of Compton, 18-year-old Jaden Cunningham of Lancaster, and 18-year-old Malachi Edward Darnell of Los Angeles. They are held on suspicion of homicide, robbery with a firearm, and conspiracy. The arrests followed a lengthy car chase through Newport Beach and onto highways to Cypress, where the suspects abandoned the car and attempted to flee on foot before being captured, reported by Los Angeles Times.
In a statement, Patricia’s family expressed their profound sadness: “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.”
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Ms. McKay’s death as “an absolute tragedy.” In an interview with Newstalk ZB’s Kerre Woodham, Luxon, who knows Doug McKay well, shared his condolences: “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.”
Auckland’s Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson paid tribute to Ms. McKay, describing her as “amazing, funny, loyal, and loving,” and expressed her deep sympathies to Doug and their family.
The incident occurred in a typically peaceful and affluent area of Newport Beach, known for its wealth and luxury. Witnesses described the shocking scene to local media, with Rachel West recalling, “When I walked up, it was just a dead body laying on the ground,” and Case Burnett adding, “All of a sudden 20-30 people came running around the corner screaming, ‘There’s gunshots, there’s gunshots.'”
Newport Mayor Will O’Neill called the incident a “stunning, staggering act,” stating, “Newport Beach is a safe community and we’re mourning the loss of someone today, a loss that never should have happened. These are thugs, and every community is now dealing with this. We have to do better as a society because we cannot tolerate this.”
As the community of Newport Beach and the family of Patricia McKay grapple with this senseless tragedy, there is a shared call for justice and better protection against such violence.
Also Read, Hurricane Beryl Threatens Six US States After Devastating Caribbean Impact
Passenger Shares Heartbreaking Final Moments of Woman Who Died on Qantas Flight
Controversial Plan to Save Spotted Owls Involves Killing Barred Owls on the West Coast
