30 years since the arrest of Fred and Rose West in Gloucester
Fred and Rose West abused and killed at least 12 young women at their home in Cromwell Street in the 1970s and 80s
On 25th February 1994, Fred and Rose West from 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester were arrested on suspicion of murdering their daughter Heather.
What unfolded, and the secrets revealed from within those four walls, shook the nation to it's core.
The house was known as 'The House of Horrors' and was the epicentre of the the couple's spree of murder, torture and rape - which span over two decades.
Fred and Rose were collectively charged with the murders of 12 young women in Gloucestershire and burying them under the floor of the cellar and the patio in the garden.
Fred West was found hanged in his cell at Winson Green Prison, Birmingham, on January 1st, 1995 before he could face trial.
Rosemary West was found guilty of 10 murders later that year - she's currently serving a a rare whole life term, meaning she doesn't have the possibility of parole and will never be released.
25 Cromwell Street has since been demolished out of respect for the victims, and due to the high numbers of so-called 'dark tourists', who travelled from all over to get a glimpse of the House of Horrors.
In its place, the local council commissioned a walkway, which still exists today.
In recent years, there have been many investigations into whether the couple's crimes go beyond the victims that are known to police.
It was thought investigations at the Clean Plate cafe in Gloucester could be linked to the disappearance of 15-year-old Mary Bastholm in 1968.
Serial killer Fred West was also a regular at the cafe which was know then as the Pop-In cafe.
Who were their victims?
All of Fred and Rose's victims were young women, and even members of their own family.
Charmaine West- Fred's adopted daughter from his first marriage to Rena Costello disappeared when she was just 8 years old in 1971. She was killed by Rose West while Fred was in prison for the theft of car tyres and a vehicle tax disc. She was found buried underneath the kitchen window at the couple's former home in Midland Road, Gloucester.
Lynda Gough - Lynda became friendly with lodgers living with the Wests at 25 Cromwell Street. Her parents reported her missing when the 19 year old disappeared in April 1973, and she was later found buried under a bathroom floor.
Carole Ann Cooper - Carole Ann was from Bedfordshire and at the time of her disappearance was staying at a children's home in Worcester. She went missing after getting the bus home from a night out in November 1973. West Mercia Police carried out extensive enquiries at the time but were never able to find her. Her body was discovered in the cellar of 25 Cromwell Street and police believe she was picked up by the Wests while hitch-hiking.
Lucy Partington - Lucy was described as a 'bright and much liked' student at Exeter University, who disappeared 2 days after returning home to Bishop's Cleeve for Christmas in December 1973. She went missing after visiting a friend and is thought to have been picked up by Fred and Rose West while she waited for a bus. Her body was later found under the cellar floor at their home.
Therese Siegenthaler - 21 year old Therese from Switzerland lived in London where she was studying and is believed to have been hitch-hiking to Ireland around Easter time in 1974. The Metropolitan Police carried out many searches for her over several years without success. Her remains too were found under the cellar floor at 25 Cromwell Street.
Shirley Hubbard - 15 year old Shirley Hubbard from Birmingham was the youngest victim to be found at 25 Cromwell Street. On 14th November 1974, Shirley left her work experience placement at Debenhams in Worcester and went missing on her way home. Her remains were eventually found under the floor of the cellar.
Juanita Mott - In April 1975, 18 year old Juanita left her home in Newent was thought to be travelling to Gloucester when she went missing, the day before the wedding of a friend. Her remains were also found under the floor of the cellar at 25 Cromwell Street.
Shirley Anne Robinson - Shirley was born in Leicestershire and was a lodger with the Wests at Cromwell Street. She became one of Fred's lovers and it's thought this angered Rose, who told Fred 'she had to go'. Shirley was estimated to be around 8 months pregnant with Fred's child when she went missing in May 1978. Her and her unborn child's bodies were found buried in the garden.
Alison Chambers - 16 year old Alison was living at a children's home in Gloucester at the time she went missing in August 1979, shortly before her 17th birthday. She was known to be a frequent visitor to 25 Cromwell Street and her body was found buried in the garden of the home.
Heather West - Heather was Fred and Rose's first born child and was 16 when she was murdered. It's believed Heather was the final victim of the couple, and was the first body to be discovered at 25 Cromwell Street. It's believed she was being abused by Fred and had threatened to go to the police, which is why she was killed. Fred and Rose never reported their daughter missing to the police, although they told various people they had. The shocking truth would eventually be revealed - Heather had been brutally murdered and was buried under the garden patio.
Jayne Hamer's story of survival
In an exclusive interview with us in 2021, a former lodger and survivor or Fred and Rose West has revealed she "could have been their next victim".
Jayne Hamer moved into 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester when she was 16-year-old after running away from home.
Grieving the loss of her father, Jayne left home when she was 16-years-old.
She's told us how she found her way to living with two of the country's most notorious serial killers:
"I bumped into Anne-Marie daughter of Fred and Rose in town and I told her that I would love to get my own place.
"She told me her parents had a spare room and said she would take me to see them to see if they would let it to me.
"There were really very little preparations. I went to meet Fred and Rose one evening after they finished in the café and I went and had a look at the room. It was nice enough so I decided to take it and moved in within the next few days."
Jayne lived with the West family for around a year before she decided to leave.
"I heard for a few nights something which disturbed me. It was Fred I believe breaking Heather in, it was described to me.
"upon asking the question 'what do you mean?' I was told he feels it's right for him to break his daughter in before any other man.
"Heather was approximately 8-year-old when this was happening.
"I kind of doubted myself, but having heard it several nights in a row - the words "stop it, daddy, stop it" will haunt me for the rest of my life."
Jayne was so sickened by what she heard she packed her bags and left the day her rent was due next.
She tells us she was terrified of not being believed, and felt she couldn't talk to anybody about what she'd experienced.
Police later told Jayne she was lucky to be alive.
Jayne would go on to testify in court at Rose West's trial and now lives with her family elsewhere in the country.
You can watch our documentary in full with Jayne, who was speaking to us exclusively about her experiences in 2021 below.
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