UK coroner concludes Donald McPherson murdered his wife for financial gain

Friday 7 August 2026 · 3 outlets · 4 reports · updated Fri 7 Aug, 1:22pm

A UK coroner has ruled that New Zealander Donald McPherson murdered his wife, Paula Leeson, to benefit financially from her death. Although McPherson was acquitted of murder at a 2021 criminal trial, the coroner concluded he unlawfully killed her. McPherson, also known as Alex Lang, is a convicted fraudster.

How they headlined it

10:19am1:04pm

1. NZ HeraldFri 7 Aug, 10:19am

   UK coroner concludes New Zealand fraudster Donald McPherson murdered wife Paula Leeson despite not guilty verdict (opens in new tab)

   • Investigation: The extraordinary life of Alex Lang – the Kiwi fraudster accused of killing his wife for $7m (opens in new tab) Fri 7 Aug, 1:04pm
2. 1NewsFri 7 Aug, 10:56am

   Kiwi killed his wife for money despite not guilty verdict – UK Coroner (opens in new tab)

3. StuffFri 7 Aug, 1:22pm

   Convicted fraudster living in NZ killed heiress wife for financial gain in Europe, coroner finds (opens in new tab)