The letters were sent to David Stott and his wife Mavis, who were patients of the Hyde GP. In them, Shipman pours scorn on his trial and the subsequent inquests and public inquiry, insisting he is innocent.
He also mocks the families of some his victims who, he wrote, wanted 'their two minutes of fame'. The mass murderer, who is believed to have killed up to 200 patients, also calls coroner John Pollard 'a moron'. The letters were discovered by Mr and Mrs Stott's son, also called David, after they died. He is auctioning them through Frank Marshall and Co of Knutsford.
Michael Cheetham, whose mother Elsie and husband Thomas, both aged in their 70s, were killed by Shipman, said: "He's making money out of somebody else's grief. The letters should all be burned. He should not be allowed to auction them."
Susan McAlpine, the daughter of another victim, Irene Heathcote, 76, said: "It's just disgusting that somebody would want to put them up for auction and make money out of it."
Mr Stott was unavailable for comment.
The MEN was also unable to contact Nick Hall, principle auctioneer at Marshalls.
Fascinating
But soon after the letters were found he said: "This is an amazing discovery. They cover his whole life from his arrest to his eventual suicide and a fascinating glimpse into what this man was thinking."
But Stalybridge and Hyde MP James Purnell said: "I am appalled to think that anyone would seek to profit from the actions of Shipman, and sickened to think that there is a market for this grotesque memorabilia."
And South Manchester coroner John Pollard brushed off Shipman's attack on him, but said: "My concern about this is that it's hurt the families yet again and it brings to the surface the arrogance of Shipman that he believes he's right and everyone else is wrong. We all know that wasn't the case quite frankly."
The GP was jailed for life at Preston Crown Court in January 2000 for murdering 15 patients, aged between 49 and 81.
He took his own life aged 57 in jail in January 2004.
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MP Purnell gobbing it off as ever, I am appalled at the actions of the Labour government and the banking industry, let alone someone selling a few letters, its not Shipman's fault its the sellers and buyers as if there were no buyers there would be no sellers
The letters written by this murderer shoudl be burnt to ashes and flushed down into the sewers. Why on earth would anyone want to buy them?
No buyer, no sale. Simple.
Hang your heads in shame anyone connecred with this foul exercise.
these letters are no differant then someone making a tv programe , or writting a book about what happened , hundreds of books about killers are written each year about other peoples crimes and mis-fortunes ..
sell the letters .
" The letters written by this murderer shoudl be burnt to ashes and flushed down into the sewers. Why on earth would anyone want to buy them?
tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw
28/09/2009 at 10:07 "
I'd buy them to do exactly that. They're only fit for burning.
How long before a newspaper serialises them?
I think the letters could be useful for learning about killers like Shipman.For many and that includes myself reading about people like him and the Moors murderers helps understanding of human nature/nurture and what goes wrong.Whether anyone gets money for them or not is by the way and for their own conscience.
At first I agreed with most of the comments below, he is a sick and vile man and his letters would no doubt make my skin crawl... but i'd still be intrigued to see if it shed any light how his mind works.
I'm pretty sure letters from the lights of Hitler etc. have been sold, why is this any different? I do think any money made from these should go to a related charity though.
The gutter press profits from sensationalised stories about killers and criminals on a daily basis.
I bet most people would sell them if it was them.
Whatever money is raised from the selling of these letters, should go back into the community Health projects, like willow wood, or any other non profit care-giving organisations. OR even a community memorial area in the cemetory for those families effected personally by this monster. I personally wouldn't want to purchase these letters, but its simple logistics no buyers, no sellers.........
Interesting is it not, that maybe in thirty years time these letters should have auctioned. He would have the same status as Hitler and the rest of the nazi cohorts. Also with the Dr Crippen, Moors murderers. and many more of the past. Will become a interest in history of the future. Tours of Hyde mass murders will become the norm. Maybe mawkish games. So as to the letters, his family should buy them only and donate the cash and his estate to the victims families.
I'd buy one and keep it as a Souvenir. Also it's bound to be worth more in years to come.
A lot of people are saying where they think the money should go. It should go to the owner of the letters and that's it, that's what the law says. Too many people seem to be desparately looking for things to belly-ache over, hypersensitivity is the order of the day. Shipman was a serial mass murderer, an horrendous individual whom many people find as fascinating as he was horrific. Some people who study this sort of psychopath, will find these letters a very interesting insight into the mind of an extraordinary case. My opinion (which is just as worthless as everyone else's!) is this type of situation will always arise where murderers exist, so instead of whinging and complaining and 'woa is me'ing about it all, just move on, it doesn't really change things does it?
Bob Hope are you on the Bob Hope?
This just shows how sick our society is getting, I hope they get no buyers, but some sicko will buy them thats for sure.
Just pure utter nonsence whatever next.
Mr Purnell so it awful that these letters be sold. Then most historical arifacts should be destroyed. Like Hitlers letter etc.
One thing certain people are always keen to keep the Shipman thing going... when ever elections come up or when they havnt been in the news or want good press ... out comes a shipman story to the rescue.
Well it doesnt matter what laws are passed regarding the "control" of medical if a person is so inclined they will kill. Re Beverly Allot. I actually met Shipman on many occassions as a Nurse and when I took my mother to the surgery. Suffice to say a very professional Dr whom was skilled in Mediciene and later to be discovered a very skillful Murderer. He was actually a likeable man so I understand why he managed to hide his wrongdoings. Maybe, as some one said , these letters will shed light on his psyche and give some undertanding to the workings of his mind.
Frank R Marshall and Co bringing the status of Chartered Surveyor into the gutter
Shame on you!
They shouldn't be auctioned off. Some posters on here are suggesting it may be an insight into a serial killers mind? That would be denial then. Read any books on serial killers, the pattern is similiar..denial.
QUOTE "...sickened to think that there is a market for this grotesque memorabilia."
That's what I think, I mean what sort of sicko would want to buy them!
To 'Proper Sentences' (28/09/2009) I absolutely agree with you and you're 100% spot-on regarding those other issues that will no doubt have had some affect on everyone in the UK. Interestingly, Mr. Purnell hasn’t been quite so gobby in commenting about these, has he? Well I'm going to stick my head above the parapet on this one - even at the risk of vilification - because in my view, yes, we know what happened was a heinous crime and horrendous for the families left behind and whilst they have my sincere sympathies, I can see nothing wrong with Mr. Stott’s decision to sell these letters. You cannot wipe away that which is evidence of actual or historical occurrence just because you don’t like it! As other commenters have quite rightly stated, crimes of this nature have always been delved into and picked apart for years after the event - often using artefact material such as this - because it offers an educational insight into the criminal mind. Have you never watched the TV series “Cracker”? How else do you think forensic psychologists and the like train to do their job? Incidentally, Fred Shipman was GP to several members of my own family and because I was brought up to believe you should always ‘speak as you find’ - even at the risk of shocking some people - it has to be said that if it were not for his professional judgement (which contradicted the diagnosis of a Consultant Surgeon) and quick-thinking actions in regard to one of my closest relations, that person would not be here with me today.