Titled The Anglesey Vampire Killer, the seven-part audio documentary dives deep into the 2001 murder of 90-year-old Mabel Leyshon in Llanfairpwll, on the island of Ynys Môn. More than two decades later, the disturbing details of the case continue to haunt the local community.
Commissioned by BBC Cymru Wales, the series forms part of the Crime Next Door strand and promises to examine not just the crime itself — but the psychological scars left behind.
A Brutal Killing That Shook Llanfairpwll to Its Core
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In 2001, the quiet village of Llanfairpwll — known more for its famously long name than violent crime — became the epicenter of national headlines.
Mabel Leyshon, aged 90, was found stabbed to death in her own home. For many residents, the crime felt unimaginable. Llanfairpwll was the kind of place where doors were often left unlocked, and neighbors knew one another by name.
But this was no ordinary homicide.
Investigators later revealed that the murder contained ritualistic elements rarely seen in Welsh criminal history. Officers from North Wales Police described aspects of the crime scene as deeply disturbing — unlike anything they had encountered before.
Key Facts About the Case
📅 Year of murder: 2001
📍 Location: Llanfairpwll, Ynys Môn
👵 Victim: 90-year-old Mabel Leyshon
🕯️ Crime nature: Stabbing with occult overtones
🔍 Investigation: Determined to be premeditated
❓ Motive: No clear personal motive established
The lack of a straightforward explanation only amplified fear across the island.
The Occult Elements That Sparked Fear and Rumors
While police maintained professionalism and caution in public statements, reports from the time referenced symbols and elements at the crime scene that led to speculation about occult motivations.
The suggestion of ritualistic behavior transformed the case from tragic homicide into something more sinister in the public imagination. Rumors spread quickly across Ynys Môn. Conversations in shops, chapels, and pubs revolved around one haunting question:
Why would anyone target a 90-year-old woman in such a calculated way?
Investigators were clear on one point — the attack had been premeditated. This was not random violence. It had been planned.
Yet the motive remained elusive.
A Community Gripped by Fear
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In tight-knit communities, crime feels personal. When something so brutal happens locally, it challenges a collective sense of safety.
Residents of Llanfairpwll reported:
Heightened anxiety
Increased home security measures
Children being kept indoors
Nighttime unease
For months, fear lingered.
Unlike urban areas where violent incidents, though tragic, may feel distant, this murder felt close — terrifyingly close. It happened in a place many believed was immune to such darkness.
Inside the Podcast: What ‘The Anglesey Vampire Killer’ Explores
Presented by Meic Parry — known for his work on The Crossbow Killer — the new BBC Sounds series promises more than a retelling of events.
Across seven episodes, Parry revisits:
The original police investigation
Forensic breakthroughs
Community reaction
Media coverage at the time
Lingering unanswered questions
The psychological toll on residents
The podcast positions itself as both investigative journalism and social reflection. Rather than sensationalizing the crime, it explores its long shadow.
The first two episodes are now available on BBC Sounds, with new installments released weekly.
Why This Case Still Resonates 25 Years Later
True crime audiences have grown dramatically over the past decade. Podcasts, documentaries, and streaming series regularly revisit historic cases.
But this story carries unique weight in Wales.
Reasons the Case Still Strikes a Chord:
It involved an elderly, vulnerable victim
The ritualistic aspect remains deeply unsettling
It disrupted a close-knit rural community
It challenged perceptions of safety on the island
For locals, this is not just content. It is memory.
Even a quarter of a century later, older residents recall the shock vividly.
The Rise of Local True Crime Storytelling
The launch of this podcast also reflects a broader media trend: hyper-local true crime storytelling.
Rather than focusing solely on high-profile international crimes, audiences are increasingly drawn to stories that unfold in familiar places.
BBC Sounds’ Crime Next Door strand taps into that desire — exploring how violence impacts ordinary communities.
It also aligns with Google Discover trends, where human-centered storytelling and emotional depth tend to perform strongly.
Investigative Journalism Meets Audio Documentary
Meic Parry’s approach is expected to blend:
Archival research
Interviews
Narrative storytelling
Contextual analysis
His previous work on The Crossbow Killer demonstrated an ability to balance sensitivity with forensic detail — a crucial skill when dealing with crimes involving real victims and living communities.
Listeners can expect careful pacing rather than sensational shock tactics.
Ethical Questions Around Revisiting Historic Crimes
Re-examining a murder decades later raises important ethical considerations:
Does reopening discussion risk retraumatizing families?
Is the public interest still justified?
Can storytelling provide closure?
BBC Cymru Wales appears to frame the series as a reflective exploration rather than exploitation — focusing on impact and understanding.
The Power of Audio in True Crime
Podcasts allow:
Deep immersion
Emotional tone through voice
Flexible listening
Serialized suspense
Audio storytelling creates intimacy. Listeners feel as though they are sitting in the room with the narrator.
That intimacy can make historic crimes feel immediate again.
What We Know About the Investigation
While details remain sensitive, law enforcement determined:
The killing was deliberate
The scene contained unusual elements
The crime shocked even seasoned officers
North Wales Police had reportedly never encountered similar circumstances before.
The term “vampire killer” emerged due to aspects of the scene described as dark and ritualistic, though officials remained measured in language.
Public Reaction to the Podcast Launch
Early social media responses suggest:
Strong curiosity
Renewed local conversation
Emotional responses from long-term residents
Interest is not limited to Wales. True crime enthusiasts across the UK are tuning in.
Timeline of Key Events
2001 – Mabel Leyshon found murdered in Llanfairpwll
Investigation begins
Ritualistic elements identified
Community enters period of fear
Perpetrator eventually identified
2026 – BBC Sounds releases seven-part podcast
How to Listen
The Anglesey Vampire Killer is available exclusively on BBC Sounds. The first two episodes are streaming now, with additional episodes dropping weekly.
Listeners can access the series via:
BBC Sounds website
Mobile app
Smart speaker integrations
The Broader Impact on Welsh Media
Welsh crime storytelling has increasingly gained prominence. Localized narratives offer:
Cultural specificity
Linguistic authenticity
Community depth
By commissioning this series, BBC Cymru Wales continues investing in regional journalism with national reach.
Why Stories Like This Matter
Beyond intrigue, stories like this force reflection:
How safe are rural communities?
How do police handle unprecedented crimes?
How does collective trauma shape identity?
The Anglesey case is not just about what happened in 2001 — it’s about how people live with what happened.
Final Thoughts
The Anglesey Vampire Killer podcast revisits a crime that once shattered a peaceful Welsh island. By blending investigative rigor with human storytelling, BBC Sounds brings a haunting chapter of local history back into public conversation.
For those who remember 2001, it may reopen old emotions. For new listeners, it offers a sobering reminder that even the quietest communities can face unimaginable tragedy.
As each episode unfolds, one thing is certain: some crimes never fully fade into the past.
