Donald Mackay dig turns up nothing THE latest search for the remains of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay has ended with forensic diggers coming up empty. A team of police began excavating a lettuce farm near Hay, in the NSW Riverina district, on June 12 after receiving a tip-off that Mr Mackay's remains could be there. Police on Thursday announced the search had concluded and no items of interest or remains had been found. The mafia is believed to be behind the murder of the former Liberal party candidate, who disappeared after leaving a pub in Griffith on July 15, 1977. Mr Mackay was 43 when keys were found next to his blood-stained Mini van and three spent bullet cases were found near the Kooyoo Street hotel. His family said their sorrow lingered over the mystery. "Our fervent hope was that we may have been able to finally know where our father's remains were," the family said in a statement. And that 36 years on we could have given dad a dignified burial. Sadly, that was not to be. The family thanked police and the media, who they said have been both helpful and a nuisance. Although media attention can at times be upsetting, we are also grateful to those professional journalists who have tirelessly reported the story of dad's murder throughout their careers, continually bringing it to the public's attention. Detectives had gathered supporting evidence to a tip-off received 12 months ago that Mr Mackay's body may have been dumped in a disused well on the property. The tip-off came after the NSW government posted a $200,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of his remains. An extensive police investigation and a 1984 coronial inquest concluded he died of gunshot wounds but the body of the father of four was never located. Three men were convicted in Victoria of conspiring to murder him, including James Frederick Bazley, now 86, who denied any involvement and repeatedly refused to speak to police. One of the men has since died and the location of the third man is unknown. A royal commission also named six other men, including Robert "Bob" Trimbole, who may have ordered the killing. It is believed Mr Mackay was targeted for telling police the whereabouts of marijuana farms owned by Australian-born mafia. Police have urged anyone with more information about Mr Mackay's murder to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.