• New Zealand woman Trish McKay was killed in an attempted robbery gone wrong in a popular California shopping district. 
• Her funeral is being held in Auckland this afternoon, followed by a wake at Eden Park. 
• Family and friends have paid tribute to the much-loved wife, mother and grandmother. 

Mourners gathered on Friday afternoon for the Auckland woman killed outside a California mall during an attempted robbery. 

Patricia (Trish) McKay, 68, and her husband, Doug McKay, former chairman of the BNZ board, were visiting family in the US when two men accosted them at the Newport Beach mall on July 2. She died after being struck by a car driven by one of the alleged offenders. 

A funeral is being held for her at St Patrick’s Cathedral in central Auckland from 2pm today. A wake will follow at Eden Park, where Doug McKay previously served as chairman for eight years. 

The death notice described Trish McKay as a “beloved wife” for 47 years, a “devoted mother” and a “cherished grandmother”. 

“Patricia was known for her welcoming and kind nature and her affectionate laugh,” it read. 

“She touched many lives with her warmth, generosity and appreciative spirit. 

“Trish will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.” 

Most pews inside the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph are full of mourners, including the Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson and other business and civic leaders. McKay’s three sons Matthew McKay, Sam McKay and Wyatt McKay are among the pallbearers. 

Funeral of Trish McKay at St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland. McKay was killed in a robbery in the California town of Newport Beach. 19 July 2024 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Alex Burton 

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“She was the love of my life,” Doug McKay said of his late wife. “The outpouring of grief and love for her has been overwhelming, but not surprising.” 

He thanked the agencies that supported him bringing his wife’s body back to New Zealand and for the help during “those lonely days”. 

“Her death was traumatic, as you can imagine,” he said. 

“My way to cope with this unjust and heinous event is to celebrate the 50 years I had with her.” 

Matthew McKay remembered his mother: “Mum, we have your example to live by, and we love you.” 

The celebrants for McKay’s funeral are Monsignor Bernard Kiely, Bishop Patrick Dunn and Father Stephen Berecz. The organist is Nicholas Forbes and Elizabeth Sayegh is due to perform a solo piece. 

There will be a reading of Psalm 23, The Lord’s my shepherd, along with 2 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 5 for the Gospel reading. 

Trish McKay pictured with her husband of 47 years, Doug. 

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer earlier spoke to media about the violent incident. 

He said the couple had finished shopping and were waiting for a ride when two men in masks jumped out of a white Toyota Camry. 

They put a gun to Doug McKay’s head, forced him to the ground and demanded his watch. 

One of the men then attacked his wife, throwing her to the ground and dragging her into the street, into the path of the getaway car. 

Floral tributes were laid for Trish McKay outside the California mall. Photo / X 

“McKay’s husband jumped in front of the vehicle trying to stop his wife from being run over,” said Spitzer. 

It is claimed the alleged driver, Leroy McCrary, 26, then accelerated, bumping Doug McKay out of the way. 

He allegedly ran over Patricia McKay and dragged her body about 20 metres. 

A local man tackled a second suspect – 18-year-old Jayden Cunningham – but was allegedly shot at from the getaway car by a third man identified as Malachi Darnell, also 18. 

Spitzer said Cunningham was arrested after “bailing out of the vehicle” and McCrary and Darnell were arrested after a police chase. 

All three have been charged with special circumstances murder and were being held without bail. 

The scene at Newport Beach, California, where Kiwi tourist Patricia McKay died as she fought back against her armed attackers before being run down by a car. 

The charge included the felony enhancement of causing the death of an elder over 65. 

The men also face other charges including attempted murder, attempted robbery, use and discharge of a firearm and evading while driving recklessly. 

The trio could face the death penalty if found guilty. 

In a statement after the incident, the McKay family expressed their “deep gratitude” for the support they had received since the death of the wife and mother. 

“In particular, teams from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the New Zealand Embassy in Washington and the office of Consulate General in Los Angeles have been extraordinary in the work they are doing helping our family, including liaising with state and federal authorities in the US. 

“Thanks to this heartfelt and expert support, along with the excellent work of all the US authorities including the team from Orange County, and especially Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill, great progress is being made to return Trish to New Zealand and we hope to have her home within the next week.” 

Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.