Spouse of well-known businessman from New Zealand murdered in affluent coastal California town

The death of a New Zealand grandmother during a robbery in a wealthy coastal town in Southern California underscores the urgent need for more stringent regulations and law enforcement to hold criminals accountable—a measure that some politicians claim has been absent from the state.

Patricia McKay, 68, died on July 2 while visiting the Fashion Island shopping center in Newport Beach with her husband, Douglas McKay, a well-known person in New Zealand who is a non-executive director of National Bank Australia. Orange County prosecutors have charged three men, one of whom has previous convictions, with murder.

The suspects, Jaden Cunningham, 18, of Lancaster; Leroy Ernest Joseph McCrary, 26, of Los Angeles; and Malachi Edward Darnell, 18, of Los Angeles, are accused of killing someone under unusual circumstances. Due to his past criminal offenses, McCrary has drawn criticism for not having done any jail time.

Assemblywoman Diane Dixon of California, a former Newport Beach mayor, told Fox News Digital that “we clearly have a disconnect between people who commit violent crime and need to be taken off the streets until they are rehabilitated.”

McCrary is accused of homicide as well as second-degree attempted robbery and fleeing while operating a vehicle carelessly. Darnell is charged with attempted murder, attempted robbery in the second degree, personal use of a handgun, and a felony enhancement related to personal firearm discharge. Additionally, Cunningham faces charges for attempting second-degree robbery.

The three were taken into custody after a fast-moving police pursuit in Los Angeles County. The death penalty may be applied to them. Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a ban on executions in 2019.

McCrary was previously convicted of felonies for robbery in 2023, criminal threats in 2020, and home burglary in 2018.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, “the case against Mr. McCrary had significant problems with proof, including witnesses who were unable to identify the suspects,” as Fox News Digital was informed. “As a result, the management team at the Airport Court authorized a plea offer that allowed Mr. McCrary to be placed on probation with a suspended state prison sentence.”

The prosecutor’s office stated that although a judge had authorized the plea agreement, McCrary’s purported acts in Newport Beach were “reprehensible.”

During a recent interview on “Fox & Friends,” Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill expressed his disapproval of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon.

“Do your job, and recognize who the actual victims are,” stated the politician. “The McKays are the victims. Because you’re not doing your job, the victims are currently dispersed throughout your county.”

When a Toyota Camry came up and two men in masks got out, the McKays were waiting for a ride outside of a Barnes & Noble book store. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, one of them forced Douglas McKay to the ground after putting a gun to his head and demanding his watch.

Patricia McKay was carrying numerous shopping bags when Cunningham allegedly attacked her because they couldn’t get McKay’s belongings. Then, according to reports, he tossed her to the ground and pulled her out into the street in front of McCrary’s getaway car as he took her bags.

Douglas McKay attempted to jump in front of the Camry as she lay there. According to investigators, McCrary then ran Patricia McKay over and dragged her 65 feet. Darnell is charged with firing shots at a bystander who was attempting to apprehend Cunningham, who was pursuing the getaway car. Eventually, he dove in, and the three males ran away, according to the authorities.

Cunningham was taken into custody following his escape from the car in the Cypress suburb, while McCray and Darnell were taken into custody following the conclusion of the police pursuit in Los Angeles County.

After calling McKay’s death “an absolute tragedy,” New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sent his personal condolences to the family. The McKay family is receiving assistance from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a representative for the ministry told Fox News Digital.

Todd Spitzer, the district attorney for Orange County, blamed the Democratic-led state Legislature and Newsom, a Democrat, for part of the homicide.

“Our shopping centers and malls have become hunting grounds for criminals who are stalking innocent shoppers to rob them blind because our governor and our Legislature refuse to hold anyone accountable for their actions,” Spitzer stated. “Actions have consequences, and it shouldn’t have to result in the death of an elderly woman just enjoying a day of shopping with her husband for our elected leaders in Sacramento to realize that this is the product of their soft-on-crime policies, which encourage criminality while sacrificing public safety.”

California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones claimed that thieves and violent offenders feel more confident in their ability to commit crimes because of the state’s soft-handed attitude to law enforcement.

Jones also brought up the recent collapse of an attempt by Newsom and a few Democrats to move on with a planned anti-crime ballot campaign in opposition to a different proposal that would reinforce California’s divisive Proposition 47.

A ballot measure enacted by voters in 2014 called Prop 47 reduced some lesser-level offenses to misdemeanors and established a $950 threshold for felonies related to shoplifting. Supporters claim that more crimes and retail thefts have occurred as a result of the law. In order to improve Prop 47, Prop 36 would increase fines and sentences for some drug and theft charges, stiffen penalties for shoplifters who have been found guilty of theft twice or more in the past, and include fentanyl in the list of narcotic offenses.

“We need to get back to some modicum of public safety that gives law enforcement the tools it needs to take care of violent criminals,” Dixon stated. “If they can be in the process of their sentencing and their time in prison can be rehabilitated and returned to the community, OK, but these people who committed this murder, in Newport Beach, were never sentenced for their violent crimes.”

Democrat and Newport Beach state senator Dave Min of California declared his dedication to enhancing public safety in a statement issued soon after Patricia McKay’s death.

“We cannot rest until we fully address the twin epidemics of gun violence and rising crime,” he stated.(Source)