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The Investigation

Crime Files

The Investigation

The investigation into the horrific murders in Glasgow was challenging for police. Manuel seemed to have no apparent motive, no obvious links with his victims and there were no witnesses or major evidence. The killings went unsolved for years. Manuel’s pattern was to either batter his victims to death or shoot them while they slept. The only connection between the victims is that they were unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Police and prison staff who came into contact with Manuel suspected his involvement in the murders but without any hard evidence there is little they could do about it. It took the deaths of two young girls and two families before the police got their breakthrough. Banknotes stolen from the Smarts' home were linked to Manuel. They were new notes, in a numbered sequence, and it seemed that he used the stolen money to buy drinks in bars around Glasgow. Pub landlords aware of the murder investigation contacted local police.

In addition, the police had letters that Manuel had written to William Watts. Despite trying to pass off responsibility for the murders of the Watts women onto others, Manuel’s letters contained information that only the killer would know.