Digest

This episode of Morbid delves into the chilling story of Peter Manuel, a Scottish serial killer known as the Beast of Birkenshaw. The episode begins by recounting the 1955 murder of 17-year-old Anne Neelans, whose body was found near a golf course in East Kilbride. The investigation initially focused on a young soldier who had been drinking heavily the night of the murder, but he was quickly ruled out. The investigation then turned to Peter Manuel, who had a history of violent crimes and was known to police as a pathological liar. While Manuel was initially cleared, his name continued to come up in connection with the murder of Anne Neelans, as well as the 1956 murder of the Watt family, which included a mother, her sister, and her 16-year-old daughter. Manuel was incarcerated for another robbery at the same time as William Watt, the father of the murdered family, and he wrote a letter to Watt's lawyer claiming to know the real killer. However, the police were skeptical of Manuel's claims and continued to investigate him. The episode ends with a detailed account of Manuel's early life and criminal history, which began at the age of 10 with a theft from a local chapel. Manuel's violent behavior escalated over time, culminating in his release from prison in 1952. The episode concludes with a promise to continue the story of Peter Manuel in part two, where his crimes and eventual capture will be explored.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast Morbid and its hosts, Ash and Alaina. They briefly discuss the upcoming episode, which will focus on Peter Manuel, a Scottish serial killer known as the Beast of Birkenshaw. The hosts also mention that the episode will be divided into two parts.

00:03:55

The Murder of Anne Neelans

This Chapter details the murder of 17-year-old Anne Neelans in 1955. Anne was last seen alive at a social club in East Kilbride, where she met a young soldier on leave. The soldier, Andrew Mernen, was heavily intoxicated and had no recollection of making plans with Anne. Anne was found dead the next day, having been beaten and sexually assaulted. The investigation initially focused on Mernen, but he was quickly ruled out. The police then began to investigate Peter Manuel, who had a history of violent crimes and was known to police as a pathological liar.

00:21:30

The Watt Family Murders

This Chapter recounts the 1956 murders of the Watt family, which included a mother, her sister, and her 16-year-old daughter. The family was found dead in their home in Burnside, Lanarkshire. The investigation initially focused on the father, William Watt, who was away on a fishing trip at the time of the murders. However, Watt was eventually ruled out as a suspect. The police then began to investigate Peter Manuel, who had been incarcerated for another robbery at the same time as Watt. Manuel wrote a letter to Watt's lawyer claiming to know the real killer, but the police were skeptical of his claims.

00:46:33

Peter Manuel's Early Life and Criminal History

This Chapter provides a detailed account of Peter Manuel's early life and criminal history. Manuel was born in Manhattan in 1927 to Scottish immigrants. The family moved back to Scotland in 1932 and settled in Motherwell, Lanarkshire. Manuel's criminal career began at the age of 10 with a theft from a local chapel. His violent behavior escalated over time, culminating in his release from prison in 1952. The episode concludes with a promise to continue the story of Peter Manuel in part two, where his crimes and eventual capture will be explored.

Keywords

Q&A

• Who is Peter Manuel and why is he known as the Beast of Birkenshaw?

  Peter Manuel was a Scottish serial killer who was responsible for the murders of Anne Neelans in 1955 and the Watt family in 1956. He was given the nickname "Beast of Birkenshaw" because one of his murders took place near the Birkenshaw Bridge in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The nickname reflects the brutality and savagery of his crimes.

• What were the circumstances surrounding the murder of Anne Neelans?

  Anne Neelans was a 17-year-old girl who was last seen alive at a social club in East Kilbride, where she met a young soldier on leave. The soldier, Andrew Mernen, was heavily intoxicated and had no recollection of making plans with Anne. Anne was found dead the next day, having been beaten and sexually assaulted. The investigation initially focused on Mernen, but he was quickly ruled out. The police then began to investigate Peter Manuel, who had a history of violent crimes and was known to police as a pathological liar.

• What happened to the Watt family and how did the police initially investigate their murders?

  The Watt family, which included a mother, her sister, and her 16-year-old daughter, was found dead in their home in Burnside, Lanarkshire. The murders were particularly brutal, with all three victims being shot in the head. The investigation initially focused on the father, William Watt, who was away on a fishing trip at the time of the murders. However, Watt was eventually ruled out as a suspect.

• What role did Peter Manuel play in the Watt family murders?

  While Manuel was initially cleared as a suspect in the Watt family murders, he later wrote a letter to William Watt's lawyer claiming to know the real killer. However, the police were skeptical of Manuel's claims and continued to investigate him. The episode ends with a promise to continue the story of Peter Manuel in part two, where his crimes and eventual capture will be explored.

• What was Peter Manuel's early life and criminal history like?

  Peter Manuel's criminal career began at the age of 10 with a theft from a local chapel. His violent behavior escalated over time, culminating in his release from prison in 1952. The episode concludes with a promise to continue the story of Peter Manuel in part two, where his crimes and eventual capture will be explored.

• What were some of the key characteristics of Peter Manuel's personality?

  Peter Manuel was known to police as a pathological liar and a narcissist. He was also described as being cunning, deceitful, and aggressive. Manuel showed no remorse for his actions and was often blamed others for his behavior.

• What was the outcome of Peter Manuel's criminal activities?

  Peter Manuel was eventually caught and executed in 1958. His crimes shocked and horrified Scotland, and his story continues to fascinate and terrify people today.

• What is the significance of Peter Manuel's story?

  Peter Manuel's story is a reminder of the dark side of human nature. It also highlights the importance of law enforcement and the justice system in protecting society from dangerous individuals. Manuel's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked violence and the importance of holding criminals accountable for their actions.

• What is the purpose of the Morbid podcast?

  The Morbid podcast is a true crime podcast that explores the stories of real-life murders and criminals. The podcast is hosted by Ash and Alaina, who provide a unique and engaging perspective on these dark and disturbing stories.

• What is the overall message of this episode of Morbid?

  This episode of Morbid is a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked violence and the importance of holding criminals accountable for their actions. It also highlights the importance of law enforcement and the justice system in protecting society from dangerous individuals.

Show Notes