9 victims buried at House of Horrors

TERRACE TOMB Home in Cromwell Street

FRED West’s deadly reign of terror spanned 20 years and cost at least 12 women and girls their lives.

Born in Herefordshire, he was one of six children and started working as a builder during his teens.

He married first wife Catherine “Rena” Costello in 1962 – and would go on to strangle her and dispose of her body.

In 1969, at the age of 27, he met future wife Rose, shortly after her 15th birthday.

Together, they formed a deadly partnership that ended with nine victims buried in the cellar and garden at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester.

The infamous address became known across the world as The House of Horrors.

Their 16-year-old daughter Heather was the last known victim.

Before her murder in June 1987,

Heather told classmates about the abuse she and her siblings received from their parents. In 1992, one of their other children, 13-year-old Louise, confided in a friend that she’d been raped by Fred.

The friend’s mother tipped off police and the investigation that led to the Wests’ arrest was launched.

Fred was held in February 1994 and committed suicide in prison on New Year’s Day in 1995. Rose was convicted of killing 10 people, though she continues to protest her innocence.

She was given a life sentence, without a parole option, and spent much of her time in HMP Durham, where she met fellow serial killer Myra Hindley.

The house at Cromwell Street was demolished in 1996.