Patricia Henry's murderer takes wicked secret to the grave on where he hid Paisley mum's body

George Metcalff is believed to have hidden Patricia "Patti" Henry's body at a spot he knew between Girvan and Paisley.

The heartbroken family of a murdered Paisley woman have lost hope they will ever discover where her body was hidden after her killer died behind bars.

George ‘Kenny’ Metcalff, 72, was handed a life sentence in November 2021 over the killing of Patricia “Patti” Henry.

The beast carried out a catalogue of crimes against women spanning nearly half-a-century before murdering Patti, 46, at her flat in Kirkwood Place, Girvan, South Ayrshire, on November 13, 2017.

He was convicted of assaulting her “by means to the prosecutor unknown” and causing her injury from which she died.

Metcalff had previously assaulted and raped her at an address in Paisley and carried out attacks and rapes on two other women in Paisley and Kilbarchan.

After the murder at the Girvan flat, he attempted to defeat the ends of justice by concealing and disposing of Ms Henry’s body and her personal effects to destroy evidence and avoid arrest and prosecution.

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Metcalff is believed to have hidden Patti, most likely at a spot he knew between Girvan and Paisley, and possibly dumped her from the back of a hired white van. Despite extensive searches, her body has never been found.

After the jury convicted controlling Metcalff of killing Patti, devastated daughter Alannah McGrory pleaded with him to reveal where her mum’s body is hidden. In her message to Metcalff, Miss McGrory who was 21 at the time, stated: “Give me and my family the closure we need. Tell us where she is.

“I need somewhere to visit my mum and my gran needs somewhere to visit her daughter. You took her away from us and I will never be able to forgive you.”

There were shouts of “Yes” and crying from the public gallery as the jury delivered its verdict following the 10-day trial at the High Court.

The trial heard how Patti first met former tyre specialist Metcalff in 2008 when she moved into the flat above his in Paisley’s Burnfoot Crescent. He became the guarantor for her new flat in Girvan in October 2017 and paid her deposit, as well as her first month’s rent, totalling £700.

The pair sent 54 texts and made 143 calls to each other between November 1 and November 13, 2017 – the day of the murder. Metcalff made a final two calls to Patti the next day, which went to voicemail, before he stopped contact with her.

Alannah initially tried to report Patti missing in January 2018. She acted when Patti missed her 18th birthday and her grandmother’s 70th.

The court heard that Alannah was told police would not investigate as Patti had previously gone on holiday to Gran Canaria and failed to return home on her scheduled departure date.

A missing person inquiry was only launched in March 2018 after Patti’s cousin reported there had been no further contact. Metcalff, known to friends as Kenny, was arrested on July 17, 2019.

Metcalff began the series of crimes against women when he was aged 21 by raping a teenager at a car park in Gleniffer Braes in 1971 before going on to brutalise victims for years.

After he was jailed, Detective superintendent Suzanne Chow appealed for him to “do the right thing” and reveal where Patti’s remains are.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) confirmed that Metcalff died on August 30 at HMP Barlinnie.

SPS says a fatal accident inquiry will be held into the 74-year-old’s death. Meanwhile, Police Scotland has been advised of the killer’s death and the matter will be reported to the procurator fiscal.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said: “With each death in custody, Police Scotland are advised and the matter reported to the procurator fiscal. Fatal Accident Inquiries are held in due course.”

Police Scotland shared their thoughts with Patti’s family. A spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the victims of George Metcalff, and the family and friends of Patricia Henry.

“Metcalff failed to tell officers where Patricia’s body is and we would welcome any new information in relation to this. I would ask anyone with information to please come forward and speak to officers. All information will be assessed and investigated.”

Timeline:

• November 13, 2017

All outgoing phone and text traffic from Patricia’s mobile ceases, three weeks after she left Paisley for Girvan.

• January 10, 2018

Her daughter Alannah McGrory and a friend report her missing but police hold back after it emerges that she once disappeared in Gran Canaria.

• March 14, 2018

Patricia Henry officially becomes missing person.

• May 23, 2018

Her downstairs neighbour George ‘Kenny’ Metcalff’s flat in Burnfoot Crescent, Glenburn, Paisley is sealed off for forensic analysis. Sniffer dog checks the house and garden.

• May 31, 2018

Alannah, her only child, makes a public appeal: “Where are you mum?” at press conference in Mill Street police station.

• June 8, 2018

A dozen officers with spades dig up the garden area behind Metcalff’s and Patricia’s flats.

• June 15, 2018

Her younger brother Stephen says: “I know she’s been murdered. I know she’s dead.”

• July 3, 2018

Police return to the Burnfoot Crescent garden, hacking down trees and strimming undergrowth.

• July 5, 2018

A shed and garage at the Burnfoot Crescent address are emptied, with boxes, tins and containers stacked up along the road for removal.

• July 11, 2018

Officers blitz search Girvan in a renewed appeal.

• August 23, 2018

Police share fears she may have been bundled into a white Transit-type van in Girvan. The van had earlier been in Paisley.

• September 29, 2018

Police reveal they have finally left Metcalff’s flat and the windows have been boarded up.

• November 13, 2018

One year after Patricia disappeared, Alannah pleads: “Please don’t miss another Christmas mum.”

• March 9, 2019

Global crime agency Interpol issue a “yellow alert” for Patti.

• July 3, 2019

Detectives finally admit: “She has come to harm.”

• July 17, 2019

Metcalff is arrested on suspicion of her murder.

• October 5, 2021

Jury returns a guilty verdict on Metcalff, now 71, despite Patti’s body never being found.

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