The Murder of Nancy Manni – A Body in the Bay

THE FULL STORY OF THE MURDER OF NANCY MANNI IS NOW AVAILABLE IN THIS NEW BOOK:

MURDER USA: True Crime, Real Killers

Investigation Discovery filmed this Episode in August of 2012 and aired it later that year. The show, Motives & Murders – Cracking the Case featured this episode entitled

A Body in the Bay

This 2012 production told the story of the 1993 gruesome and brutal murder of Nancy Lynn Manni. Manni was a student at the Seafarer’s Union School of Seamanship located at Piney Point, Maryland. She was there to attend upgrading courses where she and other union members would learn new skills or enhance their skill sets while serving aboard ships in the maritime industry.

Manni arrived at a popular nightspot on Solomon’s Island, Md., located on the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay. It was a Saturday and at the Tiki Bar, she met a man who invited her aboard a runabout for a trip out on the water. The boat was tied up across from the bar, in Solomon’s harbor.

The next time she was seen was the next morning when boaters spotted her body floating in the Bay. The Maryland Natural Resources Police have jurisdiction over bodies found in the State’s waters, thus instead of experienced homicide investigators of the Maryland State Police or the two nearby Sheriff’s Departments being called to handle the probe, Cpl. Dennis Leland, an NRP officer who had never before been assigned to investigate a homicide, was assigned the case. As might be expected, the case went nowhere.

The immediate suspects, her two recent boyfriends —  Seafarer’s President Mike Sacco’s son Tony, who was in and out of jail on DWI, drugs, and other charges had an alibi, as did William Mesmer. Mesmer penned spooky words to Manni in his letters after she jilted him but his alibi panned out too.

After two years I was able to convince St. Mary’s County States Attorney Walter B. Dorsey, and Col. David Mitchell, the Superintendent of the Maryland State Police to take over the case and attempt to bring the killer of Nancy Manni to justice.  Homicide investigations require experienced and trained detectives who are up to date on modern criminal investigation techniques and assisted by top-flight forensic teams.  Cpl. Leland had none of that experience and no training. He had spent a career enforcing fishing management regulations regarding undersized fish, crabs, and oysters.

The Criminal Investigation Supervisor, Lt. Stewart Russell of the Maryland State Police, commander for the region, assigned three of his top detectives to the case.

This show tells that story. The show is available on Amazon and Youtube. The Amazon purchase option provides a free intro before requiring the viewer to purchase.

More on the Nancy Manni Murder is included in THE STORY OF THE RAG

The second book in the ST. MARY’S TODAY NEWSPAPER series NOW AVAILABLE with an expanded account of the Nancy Manni Murder included.

 Episode 4 – A Body in the Bay