Did the Highgate Vampire ever exist ?
Unfortunately, there is little evidence and testimonies from trustworthy sources. As to proof, there are many photographs in Manchester’s books and other publications, including one purporting to be the Highgate Vampire as it began to decompose. But technically aware minds are rarely convinced by photos.
The Friends of Highgate have denied that Manchester’s activities were ever given any credence, much less that any action was taken as a result of his raves when asked about the wall that was built then pulled down at the entrance of the catacomb.
Moreover, the story seems too good to be true, full of melodramatic details mirroring the Dracula mythos: the sleepwalking girl; the vampire transported to England in a coffin; a coffined corpse ‘gorged and stinking with the life-blood of others’, with fangs and burning eyes; his own role as a Van Helsing figure.
The feud between Manchester and Farrant remains vigorous to this day; each claims to be a competent exorcist and successful vampire killer; each pours scorn on the other’s alleged expertise.
Both have published books about the Highgate events, in every medium available, each denying the role and somehow contradicting the other one. They continue to investigate paranormal events (Manchester found another vampire around Robin Hood’s Grave at Kirklees, Yorkshire).
