Were the good old days really that good?
Not to Alaska resident Muriel Pfeil.
In 1976, Muriel got into her car in downtown Anchorage, turned the key, and was blown to bits. Someone had planted a car bomb.
At the time, Muriel was not much past forty and had been through a rocky divorce and custody battle with her former husband, lawyer Neil Mackay. Mackay was later acquitted of murder charges. More than eight years later, when Muriel’s brother fought for custody of his nephew and for control of Muriel’s estate, he was executed on his way home from work.
I became a domestic violence advocate in 1992, sixteen years after Muriel’s death. Time and time again, battered women I met with indicated that Muriel’s death was used by their partners as a means to maintain control. “Leave me and you’ll go down like Muriel did.”
I know of no other women in Anchorage killed by their partners in that exact fashion, but just the threat of a car-bombing proved to be a powerful tool to keep women in abusive relationships.
I think about Muriel’s death and the murder of her brother with some regularity. I’m not the only one. Just this evening, a friend mentioned a Muriel Pfeil conversation at a party she attended last week. So much time has passed, and we’re still pondering how such a horrible thing could happen in our community.
What would I tell Muriel Pfeil about how we have evolved since her murder?
I’d like her to know about mandatory domestic violence arrests now. That we’re moving beyond asking questions like Why does she stay, and moving towards holding offenders accountable for their actions. I’d want her to know that she wasn’t alone in being a victim, and that now, we have shelters across the world that assist victims of interpersonal violence to find safety and support.
Muriel Pfeil’s grave
What lessons can we learn from the life and death of Muriel Pfeil?
1) Domestic violence is far too common. One in three women worldwide report being injured by an intimate partner within her lifetime.
2) The most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is just before or immediately after leaving.
3) The violence can extend to other family members, not just the intimate partner of the abuser.
Do you know someone in an abusive relationship? Refer them to 1-800-799-SAFE
Muriel Pfeil. Gone, but never forgotten.
One small point in the story you’re working on. Muriel Pfeil’s brother was targeted in a murder for hire because of the ongoing custody and estate legal battle. He was shot however he didn’t die from the initial shooting but some time later from complications arising from the injuries he suffered. This was well documented in local newspapers at the time. You’ll probably be able to find out about her life but about her death I suspect those with intimate knowledge still alive won’t be very willing to talk. Rumors say her death was staged by a party that was a professional in such things.
Thank you! I appreciate it. I did indeed find it back when but you remind me to reconsider getting back on this project.
The Muriel and Robert
Phiel murders were just plain old murder for hire.
Hi Chester, did you know either of them? Hard to get info from people who would go on record. Many thanks for stopping by!
Was mafia hitman/bomber Jerry Max Pasley ever looked at as a possible suspect? He married Nich Begich’s widow about a year after his plane disappeared, and opened a business in Anchorage.
Paul, I emailed your privately. Belated thank you. The trooper I worked with has passed. The police refuse to share the report through FOIA. Very frustrating.
Don Graves told me that his sister Marjorie, who was killed in a parking structure next to Cook Hotel and then dumped elsewhere, was—according to the police—most likely was killed under orders from Mackay but could not be proved. That would make Mackay a serial killer.
I emailed you privately. Thank you. What was Marjorie’s last name, do you know?