West, Rosemary (1953–)

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West, Rosemary (1953–)

English serial killer. Name variations: Rosemary Letts, Rose West. Born Rosemary Letts, 1953, in England; m. Frederick West, 1972 (committed suicide in jail before trial, Jan 1, 1995); children: 7.

Came to attention of police when authorities investigated disappearance of her daughter Heather (1992) and found her remains underneath the floor of the family home at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester; was implicated with husband in several other murders, after excavation of backyard and other sites revealed numerous body parts; jailed and charged with 12 counts of murder (1994); husband confessed to 9 murders, denied her involvement (1994), then killed himself; was convicted and given life sentence for murder of 10 girls over 20-year period, including 16 year-old daughter, 8-year-old stepdaughter and husband's pregnant lover (Nov 1995); continues to deny any knowledge of killings.

See also Brian Masters, She Must Have Known: Trial of Rosemary West (Corgi, 1997).