Serial Killers:
Fred and Rose
West
By Kaitlin Cassity
What defines a serial killer?
A serial killer murders many people, at least two or more, over a specific period of time,
particularly in a systematic and methodical way.
The FBI, although struggling to construct a concrete definition for serial murder, believes a
number of factors must be present in order to classify a criminal’s actions as serial murder.
Specifically, two or more murdered victims must be involved, with murders occurring in
separate events and periods of time. The time period between murders differentiates a mass
murderer from a serial murderer.
Essentially, the FBI describes serial murder as “the unlawful killing of two or more victims by
the same offender(s), in separate events.”
Background: Childhood
Fred West: Born in 1941 in Much
Marcle, twenty miles outside of
London, Fred West lived among farm
laborers, experiencing the affects of
war and poverty. Alongside six
siblings, Fred possessed a close
relationship with his mother and
father, typically following his parent’s
orders in the early stages of his life.
As Fred grew older, however, he began
struggling in school. He was labeled a
“mama’s boy,” and by the age of
fifteen, dropped out of school to begin
working upon his family’s farm.
Initially described as unattractive and
overweight, Fred appeared unkempt,
with a large mouth, big teeth, and
curly dark brown hair. Nevertheless,
girls began to be attracted to Fred, as
he approached young girls aggressively
by the age of sixteen.
“Well, doesn't every one do it?”
Troublesome Behaviors
As a notorious liar, Fred accused his
father of inappropriate relations with
his sisters. Eventually, Fred developed
a sharp awareness of the opposite sex,
accused numerously for sexual
harassment and rape. Seriously
injured in a motorcycle accident, Fred
experienced many injuries,
specifically brain damage.
Following his accident, Fred exhibited
several new, alarming behaviors.
Beginning to steal and become
involved with young girls, Fred began
distancing himself from his family.
Beginning work as a construction
worker, Fred was placed on trial for
having sex with a 13-year-old girl,
inevitably convicted as a child
molester and thief by the age of 20.
First Marriage Yields Change
Married in March 1863, Fred moved
immediately to Scotland with new
wife, Rena Costello, a delinquent
who participated in prostitution and
burglary. As time progressed, Rena
gave birth to Charmaine. In order to
acquire some form of income, Fred
decided to drive an ice cream truck,
which to his benefit, provided him
with constant access to young adults.
Presenting himself as always pleasant,
trustworthy, and sincere, Fred
charmed his customers as much as
possible. In dealings with the ice
cream truck, Fred accidentally killed a
young boy, fleeing back to Gloucester
to work in a slaughterhouse. In this
move, Rena and Fred welcomed a
daughter, Anna McFall, into the
world. As West created a family, his
marriage began to falter.
Fred West: A Murderer
With his experience as a butcher, Fred became
obsessed with corpses, blood, and dismemberment.
His promiscuity worsened as well, as he entered into
a new relationship with houseguest, McFall.
Becoming pregnant with Fred’s child, McFall
encouraged Fred to divorce wife, Costello. Feeling
pressure from both his wife and McFall, Fred
responded violently.
In July 1967, Fred West murdered and buried
McFall near his trailer park, killing their unborn
child as well as dismembering her corpse. As seen in
future killings, Fred removed the victim’s fingers
and toes. He welcomed Rena back into his home,
forcing her to earn money through prostitution.
Sadly enough, he began sexually harassing
Charmaine as well.
February 1968: Upon the death of Fred’s mother,
he began involving himself in a series of thefts. He
changed jobs constantly and began working as a
delivery boy for a bakery. During this job
experience, he was introduced to his next wife,
Rosemary Letts.
A Killer’s Companion:
Rosemary Letts
Rosemary Letts, born in Devon, England, grew up with a
schizophrenic father and a mother with severe depression.
Abused physically and psychologically by her father, Rose grew
up in a chaotic household that was almost always short of
money.
She expressed bizarre behaviors as a child, constantly rocking
herself for no specific reason. She was teased in school about
her weight as well, eventually attacking anyone who crossed her
path. Interestingly, she was comfortable with her sexuality,
sometimes fondling with her brothers. Unable to find boys her
age that were interested, Rose received attention elsewhere, and
approached older men within her surrounding community.
1970-1971:
Mr. and Mrs. Fred West
Rose stumbled upon the infamous Fred West.
Although her father did not approve, Rose
began sleeping with him. Becoming pregnant
with his child, Rosemary Letts began taking
care of Charmaine and Anna Marie, while
Fred continued to get in trouble with the law.
Rose struggled to control her temper in Fred’s
absence, relentlessly beating his children.
Rose’s annoyances proved severe, as she
abused Charmaine, eventually killing her.
Marrying in 1972, Fred and Rose gave birth to
another child, deciding to move to a more
accommodating home. Hoping to continue
Rose’s prostitution business, the Wests
purchased a home with a large garage and
cellar to be used as Fred’s “torture chamber.”
The Wests shockingly raped and abused their
child, Anna Marie, as well as hired nanny,
Caroline Owens. The Wests threatened to kill
Owens, leading her to call the police and
report her horrible experience. Despite these
claims, Fred and Rose West were considered
innocent, only having to pay minimal fines for
their accused acts.
th
25
Cromwell Street
“The House of Horrors”
1971: Charmaine, West’s daughter, is murdered
by Rosemary Letts. After Fred is released from
prison, he decides to bury the body under the
kitchen floor, removing the victim’s fingers, toes,
and kneecaps. Rena is worried of Charmaine’s
disappearance and realizing his wife’s discomfort,
Fred decides to kill Rena. Strangling her and
further dismembering her body, West removes his
wife’s fingers and toes, placing her remains in the
same area as Anna McFall.
January 1973: Friend and local seamstress, Lynda
Gough is invited to move in with the Wests.
According to Fred West, Lynda eventually moved
out. However, evidence later revealed details of
Lynda’s disappearance, as she was murdered and
dismembered.
The Wests abducted Carol Ann Cooper in 1973.
They strangled and suffocated her, eventually
dismembering the victim. Similar to Cooper,
university student Lucy Partington was abducted
as well, as she ventured to a bus stop to visit a
friend. Partington was tortured for one week,
murdered, dismembered, and buried.
“The House of Horrors”
(Continued)
April 1974-April 1975: Three young women were similarly tortured
and buried under the cellar floor of the West’s home. Surprisingly,
Fred continued to participate in numerous thefts in order to pay for
his home “renovation projects.” One of his projects included
remodeling the house for multiple lodgers. This encouraged more
young women to seek out the West’s home.
Specifically, Shirley Robinson, a former prostitute, developed a
relationship with both Fred and Rose. Upon becoming pregnant with
Fred’s child, Rose made sure Shirley would not survive, murdering
and placing her in the garden with her unborn child. Alison
Chambers followed suit, as Fred and Rose West raped and tortured
her, burying her next to Robinson.
The West children were aware of several activities taking place in the
home. Knowing that their mother was a prostitute and that their
father was raping Anna Marie, the West sisters feared to be abused as
well. The house became quite chaotic, thus, urging Rose to viciously
beat her children, killing and burying yet another West child
(Heather) in the garden.
Evidence That Spurred
Conviction
As time progressed, the Wests believed they would
never get caught. However, upon the confession of
a rape victim, the police as well as Detective
Constable Hazel Savage were contacted. Savage,
aware of Fred’s past as well as his sexual
tendencies, issued a search warrant in search of
pornography and evidence of child abuse.
On August 6, 1992, police discovered massive
amounts of pornography, arresting Rose for
assisting in the rape of a minor. Fred was arrested
as well, charged for rape and sodomy of a minor.
Savage continued her investigation, interviewing
family members and friends. Anna Marie shared
her stories of sexual abuse and voiced her concerns
of the missing Charmaine. Thus, all children were
taken from Rose, placed in government care.
With the testimonies of two key witnesses, Savage
continued to wonder of the young daughter,
Heather, and her disappearance. Working
alongside Detective John Bennett, a warrant to
search the Cromwell Street house and garden was
signed, allowing officials to dig within an
approximately fifteen by sixty-foot garden.
“He looked at me so evil
and so cold. That look went
right through me."
Fred admitted to killing his daughter, as
human remains were discovered in the
garden. Nine sets of bones were later
discovered in the cellar, unidentified. Fred
admitted to the murders, placing no blame
on Rosemary. Rose attempted to lie to
government officials, claiming no part in
the killings . She rejected Fred at all
possible costs. December 13, 1994, Fred was
charged with twelve murders.
1995: Fred hung himself New Year’s Day at
Winson Green Prison in Birmingham.
Although no direct evidence linked Rose to
the murders, several witnesses, including
Anna Marie, testified to Roses’ assaults.
Further investigations revealed Rose to be
the dominant partner, almost always
strategizing each murder. Thus, Rose was
charged with the murders of Charmaine,
Heather, Shirley Robinson, and the other
remaining girls buried at the West home.
Sentenced to life in prison in ten courts of
law, Rosemary West continues to serve
time.
Resources
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/weird/west/horrors_6.ht
ml
http://www.fbi.gov/publications/serial_murder.htm#two
http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/famous_criminal/2/home/1/Fred_
West.htm
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/tick/victims_1.
html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/1/newsid_24600
00/2460563.stmhttp:
www.gitarrenvideo.de/pics/fingers/fingers1.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_West