In a chilling and tragic incident, Michael McDaid, 60, has confessed to the murder of his estranged wife, Rachel McDaid. The gruesome crime unfolded on the morning of April 19, 2024, at Rachel’s home on Nottingham Road, Eastwood.

Rachel McDaid was found lifeless, a bootlace tightly wrapped around her neck. Shockingly, the very lace used to end her life belonged to her husband, Michael. Despite living separately, Michael would frequently visit the family home to see their three sons and retrieve his work tools.

On that fateful day, Michael strangled Rachel on the ground floor of her home. He left briefly but returned minutes later, encountering one of his sons outside the property. Coldly, he told his son, “You can’t go in the house because I’ve killed her.”

Rachel’s lifeless body was discovered by her son shortly afterwards. Michael fled in his van, calling the police to confess to the murder. Authorities swiftly arrested him on Nottingham Road. A boot, missing its laces, was recovered from a narrowboat where Michael had been living.

Charged with murder, Michael McDaid pleaded guilty during his appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on July 5. He is scheduled to be sentenced next Friday, July 12.

Detective Chief Inspector Clare Dean, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, expressed the gravity of the situation: “Michael McDaid’s actions that day destroyed the lives of the family members he was supposed to care about the most. I cannot even begin to comprehend the pain Rachel’s loved ones were put through and what they will no doubt still feel today because of his despicable decision to murder his former partner. Michael McDaid admitting what he did in court means the family will thankfully not now have to relive all the details of the ordeal, which I hope provides them with some small degree of comfort.”