Michael Telling, a 34 year old man who was part of the vastly rich Vestey family was indulged in millions of dollars worth of money. Growing up from a miserable childhood, Telling was emotionally disturbed. He was constantly bullied at school mercilessly. He was twice expelled from school and “only nine years old he was drinking sherry and smoking heavily. He kept carving knives in his room and once threatened his mother with a blade.” (Press 212) Entering his adult life in such a manner, Telling married Monika Zumsteg. Monika claimed several times that she had no intention of making a life with her husband, but only wanted his money. In other words, she was a gold digger only looking to only pilfer from the wealth he acquired from the Vestey family. After much disrespect, abuse, and failure of a relationship with Telling, the relationship was bound to explode and terminate. After Monika continuously taunted Telling to no extent, Telling picked up picked up a Marlin 30-30 hunting rifle and shot her. He left the body in a summer house where it remained for 5 months. Telling would tell others that he believed she moved back to America. Telling even hired private detectives to look for her, posing as completely innocent to his crime, “In September 1983, Telling hired a van and drove to Devon with the body. On Telegraph Hill outside Exeter he cut off Monika’s head with an axe. He dumped the headless body there but could not bear to part with the head itself. Instead, he brought it home and hid it in the locked boot of his Mini in the garage. It was kept there wrapped in plastic.” (Press 215) The headless body was discovered a few days later and detectives discovered it belonged to Monika Zumsteg.
Like many others, Telling did what most criminals do today; conceal the crime.
Telling used Monika’s credit card and continuously used it to give the impression that she was still alive and using it to make purchases. Telling also hired private detectives to give the impression that he truly did not know what occurred with his wife and was in desperate need of finding her. He told people he was going camping when in reality he was traveling to Devon to dump the body. He decapitated Monika and kept her head in his house not for remembrance like he claimed, but to avoid identification of the corpse.
The mind of this killer was completely sane, Telling knew what he was doing and the actions he was taking. His plan was to hide any suspicions of his doing the crime, but in the end, he was arrested and found guilty.
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18 comments:
Great improvement! You not only summarized but you also did a very good job discussing what went on. I also liked how you compared the midset of this killer to an ordinary killer.
This story is about MY SISTER!! She was not a GOLD DIGGER, she signed a Pre-nup with Michael's lawyer in London. She was also very well educated, and employed when they met! He hid her head, yes, because of identification. The day he murdered her Monika had had dental work done in London! Much more to the story then just a book. Erika
This story is about MY SISTER. She was not a GOLD DIGGER. She signed a Pre-nup before the wedding with Michael's lawyer. She was well educated, and had a good job when they met. Michael was the black sheep of the Vestey's. Yes....he did have mental issues. No thanks to the snobs that he was related to. Erika Z
Hi Erika - I was a friend of your sister Monika's many years ago, and I know that the crap this blogger wrote is entirely untrue. Monika and I were friends when she lived in San Mateo, not long before moving to Sacramento and meeting Michael. This was a HORRIBLE crime and, as usual, the perpetrator and his constituents try to "demonize" the victim to justify the behavior in some absurd, macabre way. I have never forgotten Monika and never will. She was a dear girl, very sweet, and will always be missed by me.
Hello, and thank you all for your honest comments. I knew that there was a lot of sensationalism about the incident. I know of this only because I have a tie to the family after researching the Telling tree. I am very sorry for your loss, Erika. It was a totally barbaric murder! Surely, he should have just left her.
I am researching this story for Investigation Discovery Channel and wondered if you could put me in touch with EZUM who blogged about her sister. After reading this story I feel there was alot of misrepresentation of Monika. I would really like to get in touch with EZUM about the possibilities of being interviewed for this story. Our crews are going to UK first then onto US around Nov / Dec 2011
bluespinach - Rikisnumber@aol.com
Aimee- a bit late, but thank you for your memories. SM-early 70's-worked for Mastercard :-)
I have not read the book, but were neighbors of Mr & Mrs Z and I cannot and will not believe that any of their children would be that way. Both of them would go out of their way to be helpful and were proud of who they were and I'm sure this was instilled in their children. This man was obviously a "full order of fries short of a happy meal" NOT HER FAULT! Remember she is the victim along with her family and friends, not him.
Thank you MrsAPS for your comments about my family. It is true, we were not raised to want what others had, but to be proud of what we did for ourselves. Monika was a loving, caring, giving and above all...approachable young woman. Far from a "snob"
I just met recently with Investigation Discovery Channel for an interview. They will be doing a piece about Monika on their program "Behind Mansion Walls" to come out later in 2012.
Ms Zumsteg - read Robert Lindsey's book finished it today - tough break, hard on your parents I think - that kind of money is a very sharp double edged sword that victimized your sister - read that Mr. Telling died about a year ago in Perth, Auz. Interestingly it is hard to find info on his son and ex. I hope the show you mentioned gives some good light on your Sis - she seemed okay, but trapped.
ezum- hi erika, this is going to be very strange for you.. but i knew your sister monika and had very fond memories of her. i have some friends visiting the usa at the moment and have asked them to leave some flowers but i need the adress of where she was burried. i would like to talk to you in the future if possible.
kind reguards, scott.
Hi Erika, I was your sisters maid of honour at her wedding and she was a wonderful friend. I still miss her very much. I would love to contact you and talk about her. Contact me at christinafinlayson@rocketmail.com
I read Irresistible impulse and many newspaper articles examining the murder of Monika Zumsteg. Michael Telling may have portrayed himself as a respectable gentleman. However, the façade concealed a manipulative, impulsive and cunning psychopath.
I just read Irresistible Impulse after seeing Behind the Mansion Walls. I thinks it's terrible how the show depicted Monika. I went to school with her in Pacifica. There are three sides to every story, Michael's, Monika's and the truth. I think it's sad we were limited to only his. His own quote money can buy anything.
Laurie Lehman
Monika was my friend in High School. I think it is terrible the way the media made her look like she was the bad guy and the Telling jerk the "victim".. Erika, I feel so bad for you-for all you have had to endure. I remember you when you and your brother were kids..hugs.....
Well said sis your sister was a beautiful soul
Total crap. I was a police detective that Telling tried to shoot 2 years prior to the murder. I knew Monika and she was not at all as described. She was a scared and beautiful woman. My only regret is that I did not shoot Telling when I had the opportunity to do so.
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