Digest

This podcast delves into the chilling case of Martin McNeil, a Mormon bishop who was convicted of murdering his wife, Michelle. The episode begins with an introduction to the case, highlighting the seemingly accidental death of Michelle in her bathtub and the subsequent suspicion surrounding Martin's involvement. The hosts then delve into the details of Michelle's life and her troubled relationship with Martin, revealing his controlling behavior and history of criminal activity. The podcast explores Martin's troubled past, including his dysfunctional family, mental health issues, and a history of violence and sexual misconduct. The episode also examines the role of Pleasant Grove, Utah, a predominantly Mormon town with a strong community bond, in the case. As the investigation unfolds, the hosts uncover a series of suspicious events, including Martin's manipulative behavior, his confession to a mistress about his homicidal urges, and his attempts to cover up his crimes. The podcast culminates in Martin's arrest, trial, conviction, and eventual suicide in prison. The episode highlights the complexities of the case, the impact of Martin's actions on his family and community, and the importance of seeking justice for victims of domestic violence.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Advertisement

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00:00:59

Small Town Murder: Pleasant Grove, Utah

The podcast hosts introduce the episode, which focuses on a case in Pleasant Grove, Utah, where a seemingly accidental death leads to the suspicion of a Mormon bishop being a serial killer.

00:15:45

Pleasant Grove: A Mormon Community

The hosts provide information about Pleasant Grove, Utah, a predominantly Mormon town with a low crime rate and a strong community bond. They discuss the town's history, demographics, and annual events.

00:20:25

The Case of Michelle McNeil

The hosts delve into the case of Michelle McNeil, a woman found dead in her bathtub. Her husband, Martin McNeil, a Mormon bishop, doctor, and lawyer, claims she accidentally drowned, but evidence suggests foul play.

00:32:54

Martin McNeil's Troubled Past

The hosts explore Martin McNeil's troubled past, revealing a dysfunctional family, mental health issues, and a history of criminal activity.

00:51:12

Michelle McNeil's Life and Relationship with Martin

The hosts detail Michelle McNeil's life, highlighting her upbringing in a Mormon family, her successful career as a model, and her relationship with Martin, which was marked by his controlling behavior.

00:57:40

Martin's Manipulative Behavior and Troubled Past

The episode begins with a discussion of Martin's manipulative behavior. He threatened suicide when his girlfriend tried to break up with him, and he later used his father's death to gain sympathy and money. The hosts also explore Martin's troubled past, revealing his dysfunctional family, mental health issues, and a history of criminal activity.

01:06:48

Martin and Michelle's Marriage and Family Dynamic

Martin and Michelle eloped in February 1978. Four months later, Martin began a six-month jail sentence for forgery and theft. The McNeil family dynamic was described as weird. The girls remembered an idyllic upbringing, but their father was brash and egotistical. Martin was a well-respected doctor and a pillar of the Mormon community.

01:18:38

Martin's Midlife Crisis and Violent Outbursts

When Martin turned 50, he became obsessed with his looks and started to tan and exercise. Michelle suspected he was having an affair. Martin had a violent outburst in August 2000 when Michelle caught him looking at porn. He threatened to kill both her and himself with a knife. Their son Damien tackled him and wrestled the knife away.

01:22:31

Martin's Sexual Misconduct and the McNeil Family Expands

Martin used his position as a doctor to have sex with his female patients. He also had affairs with women he met at church and at work. In 2003, the McNeils adopted four children from Ukraine. They later adopted another girl from Ukraine, Sabrina, after her adoptive mother in New York only wanted her younger sister.

01:34:06

Giselle's Allegations and Martin's Confession to Anna

Giselle, one of the adopted daughters, remembered Martin as a cruel and malicious person. She claimed that he molested her once while they were in the living room. Martin confessed to Anna, a woman he was having an affair with, that he had a lifelong struggle with homicidal urges. He told her that he had tried to kill his mother when he was eight years old and that he had drowned his brother.

01:45:33

Martin's Affairs, Lies, and Cancer Hoax

Martin confided in the bishop of his church that he no longer loved his wife or adopted children. He then began an affair with a woman named Gypsy Willis. He told Gypsy that he had the perfect life and wife, but he was bored. Martin announced at church that he had cancer and less than a year to live. He then began to deteriorate in front of everyone, but he gave different explanations for his illness to different people.

01:56:32

Michelle's Facelift and Death

Martin surprised Michelle with a facelift as a present. He then insisted that she have the surgery immediately, even though her primary care physician recommended that she postpone it. Michelle died two days after the surgery.

02:00:52

Martin McNeil's Wife's Death and Suspicious Behavior

The episode begins with the story of Martin McNeil, a Mormon bishop, whose wife Michelle is found dead in the bathtub. The timeline of events leading up to her death is laid out, including Martin's strange behavior and conflicting accounts of what happened.

02:16:24

Michelle's Cause of Death and Martin's Behavior

The medical examiner determines Michelle's death to be natural, but Martin's behavior at the funeral and afterward raises suspicion. He is seen as manipulative and self-centered, even making the funeral about himself.

02:20:06

Gypsy Willis and the Nanny

The episode introduces Gypsy Willis, Martin's mistress, who moves into the family home nine days after Michelle's death. She is hired as a nanny, but does not perform any nanny duties, leaving the children to care for themselves.

02:24:15

Giselle's Disappearance and Martin's Identity Theft

Martin sends his adopted Ukrainian daughter Giselle back to Ukraine, using her identity to help Gypsy Willis escape tax debt. This revelation further highlights Martin's manipulative and criminal nature.

02:26:37

Martin and Gypsy's Arrest and Sentencing

Martin and Gypsy are arrested for identity theft and other charges. Martin is sentenced to four years in federal prison, while Gypsy receives a two-year sentence.

02:28:18

Reopening the Investigation and Michelle's Toxicology Report

Michelle's plastic surgeon reveals that Martin dictated the drugs he wanted to prescribe for his wife. The daughters request a reexamination of Michelle's death, leading to a toxicology report that reveals a lethal combination of drugs in her system.

02:30:13

Martin's Arrest for Murder and the Trial

Martin is arrested for Michelle's murder. The trial includes testimony from family members, jailhouse informants, and medical experts. The prosecution argues that Martin intentionally drugged Michelle and drowned her in the bathtub.

02:37:50

Martin's Conviction and Sentencing

After 11 hours of deliberation, the jury finds Martin guilty of murder and obstruction of justice. He is sentenced to 15 years to life for murder and 15 years for obstruction of justice, to run concurrently.

02:41:17

Gypsy's Reaction and Martin's Suicide

Gypsy Willis expresses shock at Martin's conviction, claiming she never believed he was capable of murder. Martin attempts suicide in prison a month after his conviction.

02:42:54

Martin's Appeal and Death

Martin appeals his conviction, arguing that the evidence was insufficient and that the trial court erred in admitting certain evidence. His appeal is denied. He later commits suicide in prison using a hose and a natural gas line.

Keywords

Q&A

• What evidence suggests that Martin McNeil may have been involved in his wife's death?

  The medical examiner found inconsistencies in Martin's account of Michelle's death, suggesting he may have staged the scene. Additionally, Michelle had expressed concerns about Martin's behavior and suspected he was having an affair.

• What was Martin McNeil's background like?

  Martin grew up in a dysfunctional family in Camden, New Jersey, a dangerous area. His parents were alcoholics and his mother turned to prostitution to support the family. Martin himself suffered from mental health issues and had a history of criminal activity.

• What is Pleasant Grove, Utah like?

  Pleasant Grove is a predominantly Mormon town with a low crime rate and a strong community bond. It is known for its beautiful scenery, its annual Strawberry Days Festival, and its high cost of living.

• What was Martin's motive for killing his brother?

  Martin claimed that his brother, Rufus, was suicidal and had cut his wrists for attention. Martin said that he drowned Rufus in the bathtub to stop him from struggling.

• How did Martin convince his wife, Michelle, to have the facelift?

  Martin surprised Michelle with a facelift as a present. He then insisted that she have the surgery immediately, even though her primary care physician recommended that she postpone it.

• What was Martin's explanation for his deteriorating health?

  Martin gave different explanations for his illness to different people. He told the church that he had cancer, he told his neighbors that he had some procedures done, and he told a colleague that he had peripheral neuropathy.

• What was the cause of Michelle's death?

  Michelle died two days after having a facelift. Martin gave her a large amount of medication, including oxycodone, Valium, and Ambien, which may have contributed to her death.

• What was the official cause of Michelle McNeil's death?

  The medical examiner initially determined the manner of death to be natural and the cause of death to be cardiovascular disease with hypertension and myocarditis. However, a toxicology report later revealed a lethal combination of drugs in her system, leading to a change in the manner of death to undetermined and the cause of death to combined effects of heart disease and drug toxicity.

• What evidence led to Martin McNeil's conviction for murder?

  The evidence against Martin included his strange behavior after Michelle's death, his conflicting accounts of what happened, the toxicology report revealing a lethal combination of drugs in Michelle's system, and testimony from jailhouse informants who claimed Martin confessed to killing his wife.

• What was the motive for Martin McNeil's alleged murder of his wife?

  According to the jailhouse informants, Martin claimed that Michelle was \"in the way\" and wanted the house and kids. He also expressed resentment towards her for wanting him to stop cheating.

• What happened to Gypsy Willis after Martin McNeil's conviction?

  Gypsy Willis was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for identity theft and other charges. She was released from prison in March 2011.

• What was the outcome of Martin McNeil's appeal?

  Martin's appeal was denied. He later committed suicide in prison using a hose and a natural gas line.

Show Notes