The Wests Killers

- Frederick Walter Stephen West, Also recognized as Fred West. Was an English serial killer who perpetrated at least 12 killings between 1967 and 1987 in Gloucestershire, England. The majority with his second wife, Rosemary West.

- All the casualties were young women. At least eight of these killings involved the Wests' sexual satisfaction and encompassed rape, bondage, torture and mutilation; the victims' dismembered corpses were generally buried in the cellar or garden of the Wests' Cromwell Street house in Gloucester, which became known as the "House of Horrors". Fred also perpetrated at least two killings on his own, and Rose killed Fred's stepdaughter, Charmaine. The couple was caught and accused in 1994.

Police believe the Wests were accountable for more unsolved killings and disappearances. They speculated they perpetrated ten killings between 1971 and 1979, at least seven of which were for sexual motives. Following the wave of killings between 1973 and 1975, Fred and Rose are not known to have perpetrated any killings until 1978. They committed one more killing in 1979, followed by an eight-year lull until they killed their daughter in 1987. Police do not know of any additional killings they committed before their 1994 arrest.

- During legal questioning, Fred admitted to murdering up to 30 people, indicating up to 18 other hidden victims. Fred's incredibly relaxed, emotionally sterile behaviour towards all characteristics of his crimes stunned many members of the enquiry team. This prompted Superintendent John Bennett to pursue the assistance of a criminal psychologist for an expert opinion on Fred's condition of mind. After analysing Fred's attitude throughout the extensive 1994 interviews, psychologist Paul Britton instructed Superintendent Bennett that Fred's blasé attitude demonstrated he had committed so many offences over such an extended period that he was now bored to the acts of torment, mutilation and murder. Britton added that although a culprit of this character may come to offend less frequently, he would be unlikely to stop murdering altogether.

- One theory that may clarify the unexpected break in the frequency of their killings is the fact that by the mid-1970s, the Wests had started a practice of befriending teenage girls from nearby care homes, many of whom they sexually abused, with others motivated to connect in prostitution within their home. The Wests ascertained acquaintances—including many of their lodgers—willing to participate in their shared fetishes, which may have alleviated the couple to a degree.

- Caroline Owens, Anna Marie West, and many other survivors of sexual attacks at the Wests' hands each testified at Rose's prosecution that she had been by far the more calculating, hostile and controlling of the two. Owens asserted that, at one stage in her suffering, Fred said that they had kidnapped Owens mainly for Rose's gratification. Rose's may increase family size, plus the reality she and her husband had, by the mid-1970s, started seeking avenues to influence girls from care homes in addition to developing contacts—willing or unwilling—to submit to their fetishes, may have led Fred and Rose to agree that these avenues of control and supremacy were sufficient for their satisfaction.

- Fred West fatally asphyxiated himself while on remand at HM Prison Birmingham on 1 January 1995, at which time he and Rose were together accused of nine killings, and he with three further murders. In November 1995, Rose was sentenced to ten murders and convicted to ten life terms with a full life order.

- Born: 29 September 1941

- Died: 1 January 1995 (aged 53)

Winson Green Prison, Birmingham, England.

- Cause of death: Suicide by asphyxia.

Spouse: 

- Catherine Costello.

(m. 1962; her murder 1971).

- Rosemary Letts

(m. 1972; his suicide 1995).

Convictions:

Earlier Convictions For:

- Actual bodily harm

- Child molestation

- Deception

- Indecent assault

- Possession of stolen goods.

- Sexual assault

- Theft

- Unpaid fines.

Committed suicide before conviction. 

Victims: 12 - 13 +

Span Of Crimes: July 1967 – June 1987.

- Country: England (UK)

- Date Apprehended: 24 February 1994.

Source

Serial Killers: Rage And Horror