Serial Killers: Fred and Rose West

1. Serial Killers: Fred and Rose West By Kaitlin Cassity

2. 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 sameoffender(s), in separate events.”

3. 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.

4. “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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 Westsshockingly raped and abused their child, Anna Marie, as well as hired nanny, Caroline Owens. The Weststhreatened 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.

9. 25th 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’sdisappearance 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.

10. “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.

11. 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.

12. “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 inthe killings . She rejected Fred at all possible costs. December 13, 1994, Fred was charged with twelvemurders. •  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.

13. Resources • http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/weird/west/horrors_6.html • 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_2460000/2460563.stmhttp: • www.gitarrenvideo.de/pics/fingers/fingers1.jpg • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_West