Episode 583: Peter Manuel: The Beast of Birkenshaw (Part 1)
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Peter Manuel
Peter Manuel was a Scottish serial killer known as the Beast of Birkenshaw. He was responsible for the murders of Anne Neelans in 1955 and the Watt family in 1956. Manuel had a long criminal history of violent crimes, including sexual assault and robbery. He was known to police as a pathological liar and a narcissist. Manuel was eventually caught and executed in 1958.
Beast of Birkenshaw
The Beast of Birkenshaw is the nickname given to Peter Manuel, a Scottish serial killer. The nickname is derived from the location of one of his murders, which took place near the Birkenshaw Bridge in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The nickname reflects the brutality and savagery of Manuel's crimes.
Anne Neelans
Anne Neelans was a 17-year-old girl who was murdered in 1955 by Peter Manuel. Neelans was last seen alive at a social club in East Kilbride, where she met a young soldier on leave. Her body was found the next day near a golf course, having been beaten and sexually assaulted. Neelans' murder was one of the first crimes that brought Peter Manuel to the attention of the police.
Watt Family Murders
The Watt Family Murders refers to the 1956 murders of Marion Watt, her sister Margaret Brown, and their 16-year-old daughter Vivian. The family was found dead in their home in Burnside, Lanarkshire. The murders were particularly brutal, with all three victims being shot in the head. The Watt Family Murders were the second major crime that Peter Manuel was suspected of committing.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located in the northern part of Great Britain. Scotland is known for its rugged landscapes, its rich history, and its vibrant culture. Scotland is also home to many famous landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, and the Scottish Highlands.
Serial Killer
A serial killer is a person who commits two or more murders, typically with a cooling-off period between each murder. Serial killers are often motivated by a desire for power or control, and they may derive sexual gratification from their crimes. Serial killers are often characterized by their meticulous planning and their ability to blend in with society.
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. Murder is a serious crime that can result in a life sentence or even the death penalty in some jurisdictions. Murder is often motivated by anger, jealousy, revenge, or greed.
Psychopath
A psychopath is a person who exhibits a range of antisocial behaviors, including a lack of empathy, remorse, and guilt. Psychopaths are often characterized by their manipulative and exploitative behavior, as well as their tendency to engage in risky and impulsive activities. Psychopathy is a serious mental disorder that can have devastating consequences for individuals and society.
Criminal History
A criminal history is a record of an individual's past criminal offenses. Criminal histories are used by law enforcement agencies to track individuals who have been convicted of crimes. Criminal histories can also be used by employers to screen potential employees. Criminal histories can have a significant impact on an individual's life, making it difficult to find employment, housing, and other opportunities.
Alibi
An alibi is a claim that a person was elsewhere at the time of a crime. Alibis are often used by defendants in criminal trials to prove their innocence. Alibis can be supported by evidence, such as witness testimony or physical evidence. However, alibis can also be fabricated, and they are often difficult to prove.
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
With a violent criminal history going back to his early teen years, Peter Manuel turned out to be one of Scotland’s worst serial killers. His tumultuous early teenage years were peppered with break-ins and destruction of property, but quickly escalated to horrific acts of brutality.
Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research!
References
Birmingham Post and Gazette. 1958. "3 shot dead: no gun found." Birmingham Post and Gazette, January 7: 1.
Coventry Evening Telegraph. 1956. "Three dead in bungalow beds." Coventry Evening Telegraph, September 17: 1.
Daily Record. 1956. "Fifth tee murder." Daily Record, January 5: 1.
—. 1956. "Fifth tee murder: dramatic appeal." Daily Record, January 6: 1.
—. 1957. "Teenager vanishes." Daily Record, December 30: 1.
—. 1958. "Two sensations as trial opens." Daily Record, May 13: 7.
Daily Telegraph. 1958. "1958." Daily Telegraph, May 15: 15.
Evening Sentinel. 1956. "Bloodstains found on bed sheets." Evening Sentinel, September 17: 1.
—. 1957. "Tjhick snow hampers moors hunt." Evening Sentinel, December 11: 1.
Hull Daily Mail. 1957. "Police seek fresh clues in murder mystery." Hull Daily Mail, December 10: 5.
Lundy, Iain. 2007. "Psychopath who brought terror to the west." Evening Times, December 27.
MacLeod, Hector. 2009. Peter Manuel, Serial Killer. Edinburgh, Scotland: Mainstream Books.
Nottingham Evening News. 1956. "Bungalow riddle: two women and girl dead in bed." Nottingham Evening News, September 17: 4.
Silvester, Norman. 2022. The story of Scotland's first known serial killer Peter Manuel. October 10. Accessed June 9, 2024. https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23034356.story-scotlands-first-known-serial-killer-peter-manuel/.
The Times. 1958. "Statement on 8 murders." The Times, May 22: 5.
Western Mail. 1958. "Watt denies shooting his wife." Western Mail, May 16: 5.
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