The Case Against Serial Killers Fred & Rose West Part 2

Victims That We Know Of

Okay, so not to say that everything we discussed in part one was not serious or anything, but now we are going to get into the meat and potatoes of Fred and Rose West’s crimes.  For episode 2, we are going to start with going over all the murders they committed, then move to the investigation, arrests, and trial. 

We will do this chronologically, so to start we are going to the year 1967.  Remember we mentioned Anne McFall.  She was the friend who stayed with Fred when Rena left him to return to Scotland.  She was the one that everyone suspected told Fred about their plan to escape with the children.  In July of 1967, she was just 18 years old and pregnant with Fred’s child, and she just vanished.  It would be decades until anyone learned what happened to her.  

After Fred was arrested, he told a visitor that he had murdered her in the middle of a heated argument.  Anne had been trying to convince Fred to marry her and divorce Rena, and he said that he just snapped essentially.   Her body was discovered in a cornfield outside Much Marcle.  The discovery of her body cast doubt on Fred’s claim of it being an “in the heat of the moment” killing though.  When her body was found, most of her fingers had been cut off, and her limbs had been amputated.  There were signs that she had been tied up and restrained prior to her murder as well.  

In 1968, Mary Bastholm, 15 years old, worked as a waitress at a cafe that Fred went to quite often.  She rode the bus to and from work, and to get around.  One day, while waiting at the bus stop, she vanished.  Fred confessed later that he had abducted her and then raped her in his car before killing her.  He was never charged in her murder though, because her body was never found and there was no evidence to convict him.  

We talked about Charmaine’s disappearance in June of 1971 and how Fred and Rose told everyone that she went to live with Rena.  In reality, while Fred was in jail for stealing tires, Rose and Charmaine argued constantly.  And in one of these arguments, Rose flew off the handle and murdered the then eight year old in a fit of rage.  She concealed her body in the cellar of their home until Fred was released from jail; then Fred buried her body in the backyard of the home they rented at the time. 

Rena went missing in August of 1971, just 2 months after Charmaine.  In mid to late August, she had gone to Fred & Rose’s house and was planning on taking both of her daughters with her when she left.  Fred and Rose obviously didn’t want anyone to look further into where Charmaine had gone, especially considering Rena wouldn’t be like “yeah, she’s living with me.”  So, it’s suspected that Fred strangled Rena when she showed up at their house.  After she was dead, her body was heavily mutilated before being buried in a field. 

April of 1973 marked the first known murder by Fred and Rose that was motivated by a sexual assault.  Lynda Gough, 19, worked as a seamstress and became friendly with lodgers at the West’s home at 25 Cromwell Street, and eventually, she rented one of the rooms they rented in their Cromwell St home. Lynda was known to take part in sex acts with Rose and other partners.  Lynda suddenly disappeared one day, and afterwards, her mother showed up at Cromwell St to check on her.  She was greeted by Rose, who told her that Lynda had simply moved to Weston, a seaside town by the Bristol Canal.  While they were talking, though, Lynda’s mom noticed that Rose was actually wearing some of Lynda’s clothes and her slippers.  After their arrest, Lynda’s body was discovered buried in what used to be a garage, which was later renovated into a bathroom. 

In November of 1973, Carol Cooper (known as Caz), 15, was last seen by her boyfriend as she boarded a bus to go to her grandmother’s house.  Years before, Carol had been placed into the care of the state.  When she disappeared, she was staying at the Pine Children’s home, and had been given permission to spend the weekend with her grandmother.  After she went missing, the police searched for her, but were never able to find her.  Later, Fred would refer to her as “scar hand,” because of a scar she had after an accident involving fireworks.  Her body was found in their cellar; her skull was bound with surgical tape and she had been dismembered.  Her limbs had been tied together with cord and cloth. 

Lucy Partington was a 21 year old “clever and much liked woman” who attended Exeter University.  She had been away for school, but returned home for the holidays.  In town, she was waiting for a bus to come when she was abducted.  (some say that date was like Dec 22-23, some say it was closer to the 27th.)  It’s suspected that she was held captive for a few days to a week before she was killed and dismembered.  That’s because on January 3rd, Fred went to the emergency room with a serious cut on one of his hands.  After his arrest, police theorized that he cut himself while dismembering Lucy.  Her body was also discovered in the cellar of the Cromwell St. home.  

In April of 1974, Therese Siegenthaler, was 21 and attending London College.  At 16, she left school but continued her education on her own, studying to get a diploma in secretarial studies.  She was described as petite with blondish, “mousey” hair.  On the weekends, she worked at a ballet shoe shop, and she had a plan to go to Ireland around Easter.  To get there, she was going to hitchhike, but she never made it.  When her family stopped hearing from her, they reported her missing to Scotland Yard, the police headquarters for London.  Fred miss took her Swiss accent for a dutch one and referred to her as “the dutch girl” or “Tulip” when talking about her.  Her body was found in the cellar as well, though Fred had tried to conceal it by constructing a fake fireplace on top of it.  

Born in Birmingham, Shirley Hubbard was described as pretty, spirited, and vulnerable.  When she was just two years old, her parents separated and she was placed into care.  In November of 1974, Shirley was enrolled in a work experience program at a department store.  She left work and was going home, but never made it.  She was reported missing, but no clues were ever discovered about her disappearance.  Her body was found in the cellar as well, in what the family members described as the “Marilyn Monroe” area of the cellar.  Her head had been completely covered in tape, and a rubber tube inserted three inches into her nose so she could breath. 

 In 1975, Juanita Mott, 18, went missing the day before a friend’s wedding.  She was described as attractive, outgoing, also rebellious, difficult, and strong-willed.  Juanita had actually rented a room from Fred and Rose before, but when she disappeared, she was living in Newent.  She was hitchhiking to Gloucester when she was abducted.  Her family contacted the missing persons bureau and contacted the media, but no traces of her were found, until her body was found in the Cromwell St cellar.  

Shirley Robinson was a lodger who rented a room from the Wests in 1978.  She was bisexual and engaged in sex with both Fred and Rose.  It was suggested by the prosecution that Shirley saw herself as a replacement for Rose.  She was carrying Fred’s baby when she disappeared in May of 1978.  Fred had plans to sell the child to a couple who were unable to have children of their own, and actually had professional photographs taken of Shirley to help with the transaction.  It’s theorized though that Rose got fed up with everything and told Fred that Shirley had to go.  Her body and the unborn child were found buried in the backyard of the West’s home. 

Alison Chambers “Ali”, was 16 years old when she disappeared.  Originally from West Germany where her father served in the Royal Air Force, Ali was known to be a frequent visitor of the West’s home.  When she was 14, she started going through a rebellious phase, and was placed in a children’s home in Gloucester.  She worked for a firm of solicitors  through a youth training program.  Fred would later confess that Ali died because Rose was “too bloody vicious” with her.  Her body was found buried in the backyard of the Cromwell St home.  She had been dismembered and several bones were missing. A leather belt had been placed under her chin and cinched at the top of her head.  

Heather West was 16 when she disappeared in 1987.  She was making efforts to escape their home, and Fred and Rose took that as a threat.  Heather had told classmates about the physical and sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her parents.  Fred later claimed that he had not intended to kill Heather, but evidence suggested that she had been tied up for days prior to her murder.  She was found buried in the yard, dismembered.  Fred had one of his sons dig the hole under the pretense of having a pond installed. 

While these are the known victims, police suspect that Fred and Rose West are responsible for many more deaths.  After his arrest, Fred confessed to as many as 30 murders, meaning that there could still be 18+ bodies out there that are undiscovered.  

Investigation and Arrest

We just briefly talked about Heather West’s murder, but here we’re going to go into further details, because it is what really brought Fred and Rose down.  So, at school Heather was very obedient, made great grades, had friends, etc… But, when it was time to change clothes for sporting activities or get a shower after, Heather refused.  One day she was forced to, and her fellow students and teachers saw why.  She was bruised and beaten on her arms, legs, and torso.  The bruises were all in various stages of healing, meaning they had occurred at different times.  Heather tried to explain them away saying they were from wrestling with siblings, but confided in close friends that it was from her parents, and that Rose called her a “little bitch” who deserved the beatings. 

Word of Rose’s sex work began to spread too, and rumors abounded about Fred and Rose.  While the children had been told to never talk about the family to anyone, Heather confided in friends that the rumors were true.  One of these friend’s fathers was a close friend of the Wests and told Fred and Rose about what Heather was saying.  Fred instructed Heather to not talk to anyone and began to escort her to and from school every day.  

Heather began to formulate a plan to escape.  She quit school and started to look for any job she could find so she could save money and leave.  Unfortunately, job after job said no.  Her last hope was a job as a cleaner in a seaside town, but she received a letter from them that they were not going to hire her.  Her sister said that when she got the notification, she just crumpled in front of them and cried.  She cried all night in bed, but the next morning, she was back to her old self.  Her siblings left for school that day and when they returned home, they were told that Heather had left to take the job in the seaside town and she had run away.  Later, they asked their parents why Heather never wrote or contacted them, and Fred and Rosa said it was because she had eloped with her lesbian lover.  When the children suggested reporting her disappearance to the police, Fred said that wouldn’t be wise because Heather was actually on the run for credit card fraud.  Fred and Rose went as far as to have a friend fake a call pretending to be Heather. 

After Heather went missing, Fred would sometimes “playfully” tease the kids, saying they might “end up under the patio like Heather” if they acted up or spilled the beans about the tough times at home.  With Rose giving the thumbs up, he eventually built a barbecue pit right across from where Heather was buried.  He even put a pine table on her grave for the family’s youngsters to chill on during West family get-togethers in the backyard.

In May of 1992, Fred asked his daughter Louise, who was 13, to bring some bottles down to a room on the first floor of their home.  Her siblings heard her scream “No, Dont!”  Later, Fred returned to the room they were in and Louise was found crying in pain saying that Fred raped and sodomised her.  When Rose got home and Louise told her, Rose told her that she was asking for it.  For the next few weeks, Louise was raped at least three more times by Fred, one of which he recorded.  Louise confided in a friend what had happened, and the friend’s mom called the police anonymously.  

In August of 1992, the police searched the West home for the tape that Fred made, but they were unable to find it.  Louise detailed everything that happened in a statement, saying that the abuse began when she was 11.  She told them that Rose knew about it and did nothing. The following day, all the children were placed in foster care and given physical exams, which showed the results of the physical abuse they had suffered. They also told the police about the “jokes” of being buried under the patio like Heather. 

Fred was charged with 3 counts of rape, and 1 of buggery; Rose was charged as an accomplice and with child cruelty, inciting Fred to have sex with Louise, and with obstructing the police.  They questioned Fred and Rose about Heather’s whereabouts.  Fred said she was alive and well, supporting herself with sex work.  Rose initially said she didn’t know but changed her mind and said that Heather left home after Rose asked her to, so the other children wouldn’t find out she was a lesbian.  Fred was kept in custody and Rose released with instructions not to contact any of the children or Fred. 

Anna Marie, Fred and Rena’s daughter, heard that Fred was denying all the charges against him and decided to provide the police with a statement detailing the abuse she suffered at his and Rose’s hands.  She recounted details of the extensive physical, mental, and sexual abuse from them.  She agreed to testify against Fred and also told them that she had been trying to find Rena, Charmaine, and Heather for years with no sign of them.  The police tried to find any trace that Heather was still alive and well but were unable.  Their case against Fred collapsed when Louise and Anna Marie both declined to testify.  Anna Marie said that she decided not to out of fear of Rose’s vindictiveness and what she might do to the younger siblings. 

Heather going missing, Fred and Rose offering inconsistent stories about her location, and hinting at possible wrongdoing  along with the history of people disappearing after visiting them was a spark the police needed.  Ultimately it prompted a further investigation into Heather’s whereabouts, which reached a turning point when a search warrant was granted to dig up the West’s backyard in February 1994.

When the police showed up with the search warrant, Rose went white as a ghost and just yelled at a son to get Fred.  Fred arrived at the home and told the family that he was going to give a witness statement to the police.  He still claimed that Heather was alive, but involved with drug cartels.  He said that the jokes they made about the patio were just “rubbish.”  The police didn’t budge or anything, and Fred changed tactics, saying that the police were just holding a grudge and were on a witch hunt because their previous case fell apart. 

Later that afternoon, the team who was excavating the yard left, leaving just a uniformed guard at the house.  The children saw Rose and Fred speaking in hushed tones, repeatedly looking over the back yard from the kitchen window.  The next day, their son Stepehen was going to work and Fred stopped him and told him he did something bad.  He told him to take care of the family and sell the house for as much money as he could.  Not long after, the police arrived to continue the search and Fred told them he killed Heather.  He was then arrested.  He confessed to strangling Heather in a fit of rage and dismembered her.  He then said that it was all him and that Rose had no hand in anything.  He led them to the area of the yard where Heather was buried, since they had been digging in the wrong spot.  A body was discovered and dental records identified it as Heather.  

When they were digging up Heather’s body, they found a third thigh bone in a section that Fred told them they didn’t need to worry about.  When they questioned him further about it, he confessed that there were two more bodies buried and told them where they were.  This prompted an authorization to search the entire premises.  After being questioned for hours and hours, Fred passed a note through his lawyer to the lead investigator, it read: “I, Frederick West, authorize my solicitor, Howard Ogden, to advise Superintendent Bennett that I wish to admit a further (approx) nine killings, expressly Charmaine, Rena, Lynda Gough and others to be identified. F. West.”

Fred confessed that there were bodies buried in the cellar and that they were all killed because he had sex with them, then they all threatened to tell Rose about his infidelity.  With each body, there was extensive mutilation and evidence that they had sustained intense sexual abuse.  Each set of remains was missing numerous bones, particularly fingers; when questioned, Fred refused to divulge the whereabouts of the bones missing from each set of remains, or the reason for their absence.

Rose’s Arrest and Trial

While Fred insisted that Rose wasn’t involved, the police knew she was.  She was arrested in April of 1994. She was held without bail and questioned further about the murders. In May, they were jointly charged with 5 counts of murder.  After each charge was announced, Rose simply said “I’m innocent.” Fred confessed to the murders of Rena, Charmaine, and told them he knew where Anne McFall’s body was.  He told them where the bodies were, and they were recovered in April and June.  Fred was transferred to prison and put on a strict suicide watch, in which his cell would be checked every 15 minutes.

June 30th, 1994, Fred and Rose appeared before a magistrates court.  Fred was officially charged with 12 murders and Rose with 9. It was the first time they had seen each other since Fred’s arrest, and Rose ignored him and visibly winced when he touched her shoulder.  Fred was later charged with Anne McFalls murder as well, her body hadn’t been identified prior to this hearing. 

After Rose’s rejection, Fred grew more and more depressed in jail.  He wrote letters that went unanswered and eventually, he decided that he was going to take her down with him.  He recanted his confession that he acted alone and said that Rose was involved in every murder he was charged with, except for Anne McFall, which he claimed was actually perpetrated by Rena, his first wife. 

By January of 1995, Fred’s suicide watch had been relaxed, and on January 1st, he was found in his cell, having hung himself with a rope he made from a blanket and pieces from prison laundry bags. 

Rose’s trial started in October of 1995, where she pleaded not guilty to all charges.  The prosecution painted the Wests as sex obsessed maniacs who didn’t care who they hurt.  They also pointed out that Charmaine was killed while Fred was in jail for stealing tires, so they landed squarely on Rose’s feet.  They called countless witnesses who all described as the more aggressive one in the relationship.   

They called Caroline Owens who testified about the assault she suffered at the hands of Fred and Rose when she was just 17 in 1972.  She worked as a nanny for the children.  But after Fred and Rose constantly tried to get her to have sex with them, she told them she was leaving.  They concocted a plan to abduct her.  Rose sat with her in the back seat and began to touch her, and when Owens resisted, Fred stopped the car and punched her until she was unconscious.  They then tied her up and spent the next hours sexually assaulting her.  She was able to escape after agreeing to be their nanny again when they let her free to do chores.  She told her mother what happened and went to the police.  Fred and Rose had been arrested for this, but Caroline decided that she couldn’t face them in court and they agreed to lesser charges, paid a fine and walked free.  

Rose’s defense was essentially that she and Fred led separate lives and that he was responsible for everything.  They called several women who had been attacked by a man from 1966-1975 and they all identified Fred as the man after seeing his photo after his arrest.  Against council’s advice, Rose testified on her own behalf.  She talked about herself as a victim of child abuse and rape.  She said she married a violent domineering man who kept her under his thumb.  She joked about always being pregnant.  

The defense used tape recordings of Fred’s confession where he said that Rose knew nothing about any of the murders.  In a rebuttal to that, the prosecution called Janet Leach, who was the appropriate adult for Fred.  Fred grew closer to her and confided in her as things went on.  She said that Fred told her about a pact that he and Rose made in which he agreed to take the fall for everything.  She testified that Rose played a major role in the abductions and murders.  

After seven weeks, the case was turned over to the jury.  They came back with a unanimous guilty verdict, saying Rose’s crimes were appalling and depraved.  She was given life in prison, and the judge emphasized that she should never receive parole.  It was later decided that she should spend at least 25 years before being able to apply for parole, but in 1997, a “whole life tariff” was given to Rose, only the second time it had been imposed on a woman in the UK in modern times. 

Almost immediately, Rose filed an appeal, claiming that Fred was responsible for everything.  The court of appeals refused to consider her application.  In September of 2001, Rose said that she would no longer try to appeal her convictions, but still maintains her innocence.  Rose has been transferred to various facilities over the years.  In 2019 she was transferred to HM Prison New Hall where she is serving her sentence and claims she is innocent. 

There is so much more to this case than what we are able to fit into two episodes.  There are documentary series about it and tons of books written by various people involved in the case, including one by Mae and Stephen West (Inside 25 Cromwell St) and one written by Anna (Anne) Marie West (Out of the Shadows).