Episode 546: Matthew Wales and the Society Murders
Dive into a deeply complex story of familial strife and tragic outcomes in "Morbid," where hosts Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart unravel the case of Matthew Wales and the so-called Society Murders. The episode delves into the intense disputes over financial inheritance that ignite between Margaret Wills King and her children, particularly her son Matthew. As they dissect how Margaret's establishment of a controlling trust leads to a festering resentment in Matthew, the hosts of "Morbid" examine the emotional and financial dependencies that set a grim stage for conflict, encapsulating the listeners in a narrative of psychological depth and ominous foreshadowing.
The episode also meticulously explores the variables that shaped Matthew's troubled upbringing, including his unsettling early behavior and the familial turmoil brewing from his parents' divorce and his mother's remarriage. Ash and Alaina painstakingly piece together how a seemingly normal family dinner morphs into a horrifying scene of violence, and how the subsequent police investigation, propelled by damning evidence and confessions, lead to Matthew's arrest. This journey through a maze of deception and dark family secrets invites listeners to consider the intricate web of factors contributing to a chilling double homicide.
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1-Page Summary
Financial Inheritance Disputes
Margaret Wills King, aiming for greater control over her children's inheritance, establishes a trust necessitating approvals for any financial decisions, notably from her son, Matthew. The children perceive this as a manipulative method of control extending beyond her death, leading to intense family tensions. Matthew harbors resentment, feeling that his mother is wielding her wealth to control their lives. Despite financial hardships, Matthew's insistence on selling a trust-managed house to access the profit intensifies this animosity. His perceived financial and emotional dependency contributes to growing tensions, fueling a deep-seated animosity that eventually escalates to an irreversible outcome.
Matthew's Troubled Childhood
Matthew's troubled past is marred by disturbing behavior, starting from violence towards animals in his early years to an unstable family life. His father's frequent absence due to his job as a commercial pilot and his mother's affair lead to a strained and tumultuous household. Family discord intensifies with his parents' divorce and subsequent marriage of Margaret to the family friend Paul King, to whom Matthew grows close. The divorce results in a divided loyalty among the siblings, with Matthew's relationship with Paul leading to feelings of betrayal. This complex childhood sets the stage for Matthew's problematic behavior in later years.
The murders
On April 4th, 2002, a seemingly innocent dinner hosted by Matthew and his wife Maritza for his mother Margaret and stepfather Paul takes a dark turn when Matthew viciously attacks both guests. After dining to celebrate his new home and child's birthday, Matthew strikes them with a wooden block and strangles them, leading to their deaths. The bodies are concealed on the property overnight, then wrapped with a deflated kiddie pool and bedsheet strips the next morning. Matthew disposes of the bodies in a forest, using materials such as sash cord, D shackles, and concrete blocks in an elaborate attempt to hide his actions.
Investigation and arrest
Police find evidence in Matthew's home closely linked to the crime: a post hole shovel, D shackles, and green twine, all connecting Matthew to the murders. Eyewitnesses offer unsettling testimony, including sightings of Margaret posthumously. Maritza provides a statement to the police detailing the horrific event, which she claims to have learned about after its occurrence, resulting in Matthew's arrest warrant. During interrogation, Matthew confesses, furnishing detailed diagrams to investigators. He alleges a history of sexual abuse by his stepfather Paul, hinting at a potential motive for the murders.
1-Page Summary
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Clarifications
- Matthew's troubled childhood was marked by violence towards animals, an unstable family life due to his father's frequent absence and his mother's affair, and the strain of his parents' divorce. His relationship with his stepfather, Paul, and the divided loyalty among siblings after the divorce contributed to feelings of betrayal and further family discord. These early experiences set the stage for Matthew's problematic behavior in later years, impacting his emotional development and relationships.
- Matthew's troubled childhood, marked by family discord and feelings of betrayal, set the stage for his problematic behavior. The establishment of a trust by his mother, Margaret, intensified tensions within the family, leading to resentment and perceived control. Financial and emotional dependencies, coupled with a desire for autonomy, fueled Matthew's actions, culminating in the tragic murders of his mother and stepfather. The murders were a result of a complex interplay of family dynamics, perceived injustices, and a history of abuse, as hinted at by Matthew during his confession.
- Matthew disposed of the bodies of his mother and stepfather in a forest after attacking and killing them. To conceal his actions, he wrapped the bodies in a deflated kiddie pool and bedsheet strips before transporting them. He used materials like sash cord, D shackles, and concrete blocks in an attempt to hide the bodies and the crime. This elaborate effort was made to obscure the evidence and delay the discovery of the murders.
- Eyewitness testimonies and sightings of Margaret posthumously could be referring to individuals claiming to have seen Margaret after her death. This could involve sightings or experiences that some witnesses believe involve the deceased person, which can be attributed to various factors like grief, trauma, or paranormal beliefs. Such accounts are often subjective and not scientifically verifiable, falling into the realm of personal experiences and beliefs rather than concrete evidence.
- The evidence found in Matthew's home, such as a post hole shovel, D shackles, and green twine, directly connected him to the murders of his mother and stepfather. These items were crucial in linking Matthew to the crime scene and were significant in the investigation that led to his arrest. Eyewitness testimonies and physical evidence corroborated the presence of these items in Matthew's possession, strengthening the case against him. These pieces of evidence played a key role in establishing Matthew's involvement in the heinous crime.
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Financial Inheritance Disputes
Inheritance disputes can often lead to family tensions, and when control is exerted through trusts instead of direct bequests, those tensions can escalate, as seen in the case involving Margaret and Matthew.
Margaret changes her will to control inheritance in a trust
Margaret Wills King altered her father's will by establishing a trust to have greater control over the inheritance destined for her children. She did this through a legal requirement that necessitated the approval from one of her children—this responsibility fell to Matthew. Margaret's decision to channel the sale proceeds of a vacation property into a trust was seen by her children, including Matthew, as a means of controlling them even after her death. They felt treated like children, their lives continually under their mother’s influence through the financial strings of the trust.
Matthew resents not having full access to inheritance money
Matthew harbored deep resentment towards his mother, Margaret, for what he perceived as manipulative control over their lives through her wealth, particularly when it came to the handling of his inheritance. Matthew's frustration grew when he tried to convince Margaret to sell a house that was purchased through a trust and give him and his sibling Maritza the $140,000 profit from the sale. Despite Margaret's hesitation, she eventually caved after several intense arguments and sold the house, relinquishing the profit to Matthew.
Matthew and Maritza were facing financial hardships after Matthew suffered an injury and subsequent unemployment, which compelled Margaret to consider releasing the funds. However, the tension ove ...
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Financial Inheritance Disputes
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Margaret and Matthew's relationship was strained due to Margaret's decision to control the inheritance through a trust, leading to resentment from Matthew. Matthew felt financially and emotionally dependent on his mother, which intensified his frustration over the perceived lack of control and fairness in handling the inheritance. The family dynamics were further complicated by financial hardships faced by Matthew and his sibling Maritza, adding to the tension and animosity within the family. This strained relationship ultimately escalated to a point where Matthew contemplated extreme actions due to his deep-seated resentment towards his mother's perceived control over his inheritance.
- Establishing a trust for inheritance control involves creating a legal entity to manage assets on behalf of beneficiaries. The trust document outlines how assets are to be distributed, providing instructions for the trustee to follow. This arrangement allows for greater control over how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritance, often used to protect assets, minimize taxes, and ensure assets are managed responsibly. Trusts can be complex legal structures that offer flexibility in estate planning and can help avoid probate, providing privacy and control over the distribution of assets.
- Matthew's extreme reaction of contemplating murder in response to inheritance disputes can be attributed to ...
Counterarguments
- Trusts can be a responsible way to manage inheritance, ensuring that assets are protected and used wisely over time.
- Margaret's decision to use a trust may have been motivated by a desire to preserve the family wealth and protect it from potential mismanagement or external risks.
- The perception of control through wealth can sometimes be a misunderstanding of the intentions behind estate planning, which often aims to ensure long-term financial security.
- Financial dependence on family can create complex dynamics, but it does not necessarily imply manipulative control; it could also reflect a safety net provided by family members.
- Selling a property and distributing the profits immediately may not always be the best financial decision, as it could have tax implications or affect the long-term growth of the estate.
- Facing financial hardships can be stressful, but it does not automatically entitle individuals to immediate access to inheritance, which may be structured to serve long-term goals.
- Feeling insulted over the implica ...
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Matthew's Troubled Childhood
Matthew's early life was marked by significant challenges and disruptions that impacted his behavior and family dynamics deeply.
History of animal cruelty and unstable behavior
Matthew's difficulties were apparent from an early age. He struggled academically, had trouble developing healthy social skills, and consistently lied. Reports of cruelty towards animals emerged early on, with Matthew crucifying flies at four years old, impaling eels at eight, and, at ten years old, tying mice to his motorbike and dragging them around. His tendency for violence only worsened into his teenage years.
Emma, likely a close relative or family friend, recounted his increasingly violent behavior, and Damien, his brother, did not shy away from describing Matthew as a problematic child to the authorities.
Family discord over parents' affair and divorce
Matthew's home life was far from stable, with his father Brian, a commercial pilot, frequently away, which left his mother, Margaret, overwhelmed with raising five children on her own. The loneliness led Margaret to an affair with Paul King, a family friend, unbeknownst to Brian. The affair intensified, particularly after the death of Margaret's father in 1974, when Margaret and Paul decided to make their relationship public. This decision led to Brian moving out, Paul moving in, and a tumultuous shift in the family structure.
The divorce between Brian and Margaret in 1976 and the subsequent shared custody arrangements took a toll on the children, exacerbated by Brian's struggle to manage his feelings about the split. While the older children were res ...
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Matthew's Troubled Childhood
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Clarifications
- Crucifying flies is a disturbing behavior where an individual pierces or impales flies on objects, often as a form of cruelty or experimentation. This act is considered a sign of potential psychological issues or a lack of empathy towards living creatures. It can be an early indicator of troubling behavior patterns in individuals, especially when observed in children.
- Tying mice to a motorbike is a disturbing act of animal cruelty where mice are attached to a moving motorbike, causing harm and suffering to the animals. This behavior is a form of abuse and can result in serious injuries or death to the mice involved. It is a concerning indicator of violent tendencies and a lack of empathy towards animals.
- Brian's struggle to manage his feelings about the split indicates the emotional turmoil and challenges he faced in coping with the divorce from Margaret. This could involve feelings of betrayal, loss, anger, sadness, and confusion about the changes in his family dynamics. Managing these emotions might have impacted his interactions with his children and his ability to navigate the complexities of co-parenting after the divorce.
- The older children's resistance to Paul's presence stemmed from their perception of him as the catalyst for their parents' divorce, leading to feelings of betrayal and animosity towards him. They struggled to accept Paul's role in their family dynamics and viewed his relationship w ...
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The murders
Matthew's celebration of his new home and son's second birthday with guests Margaret and Paul ended in tragedy when he killed both guests shortly after they dined at his house.
Matthew invites Margaret and Paul over for dinner
To celebrate their new home and their son's second birthday, on April 4th, 2002, Matthew and Maritza invited Margaret and Paul over for dinner. Maritza confirmed that the couple came over and joined them for dinner.
Matthew hits them with a wooden block and strangles them
After the meal, Matthew launched a brutal attack on his mother Margaret and stepfather Paul. Maritza recounted that at the end of the night, Matthew hit them over the back of the head several times with a block of wood. He then went on to strangle both of his dinner guests with strips of fabric. Paul died from blunt force trauma and strangulation, while Margaret died from asphyxiation; the autopsy showed bruising that suggested she was hit before being strangled.
Matthew wraps the bodies and buries them in the forest
Following the murders, M ...
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The murders
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Clarifications
- The sudden escalation from a celebratory dinner to a brutal attack can be attributed to underlying psychological factors such as impulse control issues, mental health conditions, or a sudden outburst of violence triggered by stress or emotional turmoil. In some cases, individuals may exhibit a facade of normalcy before unexpectedly resorting to extreme violence, often shocking those around them. Such drastic shifts in behavior can be complex and may stem from a combination of personal, environmental, and psychological factors. Understanding the specific motivations behind such violent acts often requires a deeper exploration of the individual's mental state and circumstances leading up to the event.
- Matthew used a wooden block to strike his victims on the head multiple times before strangling them with fabric. He then wrapped the bodies in a deflated kiddie pool and bedsheet strips for easier transport. To conceal the crime, he buried the bodies in a forest after purchasing materials like sash cord, D shackles, and concret ...
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Investigation and arrest
Police gathered compelling evidence linking Matthew to a tragic crime, while confessions and eyewitness accounts painted a complex picture of events leading up to a harrowing discovery.
Evidence found linking the murders to Matthew
In the home of Matthew and Maritza, investigators discovered a post hole shovel, D shackles similar to those found on cement blocks, and green twine matching the bindings on the bodies, implicating Matthew in the crime. Additionally, a deflated child's raft found at the crime scene matched one discovered on the bodies, and quilts and sheets in Matthew and Maritza's bedroom were similar to the material wrapping the bodies. Furthermore, a chemical smell emanated from Matthew's car in the garage, although no other evidence was found inside the vehicle itself.
Eyewitnesses claim to see Margaret after her death, describing her well-groomed appearance and providing critical, albeit haunting, testimony. One man living near where Margaret's car was found claimed he saw her return to the car several times after the couple’s disappearance.
Maritza tells police what Matthew did
Maritza signed a statement for the police, summarizing what she witnessed the night of the crime, which led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Matthew. Maritza, under the guidance of her counsel, provided a detailed account of the events during a meeting with Inspector Brian Ricks, leading to Matthew's im ...
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Investigation and arrest
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Clarifications
- D shackles, also known as chain shackles, are narrow shackles shaped like a loop of chain with a pin or threaded pin closure. They are commonly used in various applications for connecting and securing items. D shackles are versatile and can be used in rigging systems, industrial settings, and even in maritime operations. They are a fundamental component in rigging setups due to their ability to quickly connect or disconnect different rigging subsets.
- The mention of a chemical smell emanating from Matthew's car suggests the presence of a strong, distinct odor that could indicate the use of chemicals or substances inside the vehicle. This detail could be significant in the investigation as it may hint at attempts to conceal evidence or alter the crime scene. The specific nature of the chemical smell is not provided in the text, leaving room for interpretation regarding its potential relevance to the case. The presence of such a smell could raise suspicions about additional activities or materials associated with the crime.
- Maritza was Matthew's par ...
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