A Dark City
Delve into the dark heart of Glasgow, a city with history steeped in mystery and violence. A Dark City takes you behind the headlines to explore the city's most notorious murders - stories that shocked the nation, shattered communities and left scars that still linger. From cold blooded killers to infamous gangland slayings, we uncover the chilling details, the victims stories and the impact on Glasgow's streets.
A Dark City
Fred West
Discover the haunting Glasgow chapter of Fred West's life before he became Britain's most notorious serial killer. This gripping episode delves into West's formative years in Scotland during the early 1960s, revealing disturbing patterns of behaviour that would evolve into the horror of Cromwell Street.
Few realize that before the discovery of the "House of Horrors" in Gloucester, Fred West had established his predatory nature on the streets of Glasgow. Working as an ice cream van driver in Coatbridge and Glasgow, West had unrestricted access to vulnerable young people—a seemingly ordinary job that masked his developing criminal tendencies. We explore how West's marriage to Catherine "Rena" Costello during this period was marked by volatility, and how Anne McFall, who worked as their children's nanny, became one of his earliest victims.
The episode traces West's departure from Scotland—reportedly after being "run out of town" by concerned locals—and his subsequent descent into unfathomable horror alongside his second wife, Rosemary. We detail the investigation that finally uncovered their crimes, resulting in the discovery of twelve victims, Fred's suicide before trial, and Rose's conviction for ten murders. Could there be more undiscovered victims from West's Glasgow days? We examine recent investigations and speculation about his Scottish allotment, raising questions about what might have happened if early warning signs hadn't been ignored.
The Fred West story serves as a chilling reminder of how monsters can walk among us undetected. Listen to understand how Glasgow played a crucial role in the development of one of history's most disturbing criminals, and why this overlooked chapter matters in understanding the full horror of the West case.
Welcome to A Dark City, the podcast that delves into the shadowy underbelly of Glasgow, a city with a storied past and a reputation for resilience. Here we uncover the chilling true stories of serious crimes that have left their mark on the city's history, from notorious gangland wars to unsolved mysteries. Join us as we explore the darker side of Glasgow and the people whose lives were forever changed by its crimes. The name Fred West remains synonymous with a period of unparalleled horror in British criminal history. Alongside his second wife, rosemary, fred West was responsible for a series of brutal murders spanning at least two decades, the chilling discoveries at their home at 25 Cromwell Street, gloucester, exposing a depth of depravity that shocked the nation. This episode delves into the life and crimes of Fred West, examining his background, the horrific acts he committed, his perverse partnership with Rosemary West and the investigation that finally brought their reign of terror to light. Born Frederick Walter Stephen West on September 29th 1941, in Much Markle, Herefordshire, fred West's early life was marked by disadvantage and disturbing experiences. Accounts suggest a troubled childhood within a poor farming family, with later claims of abuse that, while unproven, hint at a deeply dysfunctional environment. Early brushes with the law for petty crimes and sexual offences against minors foreshadowed a disturbing trajectory. A serious motorcycle accident at 17 resulted in a significant head injury speculated by some to have potentially impacted his behaviour and impulse control, though this remains a subject of debate. Regardless of the root causes. A pattern of predatory sexual behaviour emerged long before his life intersected with Rosemary Lett's. Fred West's first marriage to Catherine Raina Costello in 1962 produced two daughters Charmaine, raina's from a previous relationship and Anne-Marie. This period was characterised by transience and instability. It was during this time that Fred West is believed to have committed his first murders, including that of Anne McFall, a young woman who had worked as a nanny for his children and with whom he had an affair. Her remains and those of their unborn child were later found buried in a field. His marriage to Rena was volatile and she eventually left him, leaving their daughters in his care. Rena herself is also believed to have been murdered by Fred West around 1971, her remains later discovered buried in the same field as Anne McFall. The pivotal and arguably most disturbing chapter of Fred West's life began with his relationship with Rosemary Letts, whom he met in 1969 when she was just 15. Despite the significant age gap and his marital status, a disturbing bond formed, leading to their marriage in 1972. Rosemary, or Rose as she became known, was a willing participant and, in many respects, an active instigator, in the horrific crimes that followed. Their home at 25 Cromwell Street became a nexus of torture, sexual abuse and murder. You might be wondering what the connection to Glasgow is at this point.
Speaker 1:Fred West's movements and early relationships are crucial to understanding the development of his criminal behaviour. In the early 1960s, he spent time in Glasgow with his first wife, catherine Rina Costello. During this period, they lived in rented accommodation in Coatbridge. Before moving to Glasgow itself, fred West was employed as an ice cream van driver, a role that unfortunately provided him with opportunities for unsupervised contact, particularly with young people. It was during this time in Glasgow that Anne McFall, a friend of Rena's who had been living with them and helping with childcare, also entered their lives. While details of this period are not as extensively documented as the later Cromwell Street crimes, there are indications that Fred West's disturbing behaviours were already present. Some accounts suggest he was known for abusing girls in the Glasgow area and that his behaviour eventually led to him being, in a sense, run out of town. Costello's family grew suspicious and concerned about her well-being, and their pressure is said to have contributed to West's departure from Glasgow around 1970 or 1971. This period in Glasgow represents a significant early phase in his life where his predatory nature was seemingly already manifesting, predating the scale of the later atrocities but establishing a pattern of targeting vulnerable females.
Speaker 1:Following their time in Scotland, fred and Rena, along with Rena's daughter Charmaine and their daughter Anne-Marie, moved back south, eventually settling in the Gloucestershire area. However, the instability in their relationship continued. In the Gloucestershire area, however, the instability in their relationship continued. Rena eventually left Fred for the final time, leaving the children in his care. The fates of both Anne McFall and Rena Costello are tragically linked to this early period. Anne McFall, who was pregnant with Fred West's child, disappeared in 1967, her remains later found buried in a field near his hometown. Rina Costello is also believed to have been murdered by Fred West around 1971. Her remains discovered in the same location.
Speaker 1:These early murders, predating the horrors of Cromwell Street, underscore that Fred West's capacity for extreme violence and his pattern of disposing of victims were established before his infamous partnership with Rosemary. The victims of Fred and Rose West were predominantly young women and girls, often vulnerable individuals who were hitchhiking or otherwise transient. The true number of their victims remains uncertain, but investigations uncovered the remains of 12 individuals buried at 25 Cromwell Street and other locations connected to Fred West. These included their own daughter, heather, and Fred's stepdaughter Charmaine, a chilling testament to the indiscriminate nature of their violence. The methods employed were depraved, involving rape, torture, dismemberment and burial in shallow graves in the cellar and garden of their unassuming terraced house, which would come to be known as the House of Horrors.
Speaker 1:The grotesque reality of Cromwell Street remained hidden for years, despite concerns raised by neighbours and the disappearances of young women in the area. The West's maintained a facade of normalcy, albeit one punctuated by the comings and goings of lodgers and a large, seemingly chaotic family life. However, the persistent efforts of police investigating the disappearance of Heather West in 1987 eventually led to the execution of a search warrant at 25 Cromwell Street in February 1994. Warrant at 25 Cromwell Street in February 1994. The excavation of the property revealed the horrific truth. Body after body was unearthed, meticulously buried and often dismembered. The scale and nature of the discoveries sent shockwaves across Britain.
Speaker 1:Fred West was arrested and in a series of chilling interviews, began to confess to a string of murders implicating Rose in many of them. Rose West was also arrested and maintained her innocence for a considerable time, attempting to place the sole blame on Fred. Fred West was charged with 12 murders, while Rose was charged with 10. The anticipated trial was set to be one of the most sensational in British history. However, before the legal proceedings could reach their conclusion, fred West committed suicide by hanging in Winson Green Prison on January 1, 1995. His death, while preventing him from facing justice in court, left many questions unanswered and denied the victims' families the closure of a trial and conviction. Rose West, however, did stand trial. The prosecution argued that she was a full and active partner in the murders, not merely a passive bystander coerced by her husband. Evidence presented detailed her involvement in the abduction, torture and murder of the victims. In November 1995, rosemary West was convicted of 10 murders and sentenced to 10 life sentences, with a whole life order meaning she is unlikely ever to be released.
Speaker 1:Fred West was a deeply disturbed individual whose propensity for violence and sexual deviance escalated into a series of horrific murders. Horrific murders His partnership with Rosemary West created a uniquely terrifying dynamic, allowing them to perpetrate unspeakable acts within the confines of their suburban home. The discoveries at 25 Cromwell Street exposed a dark underbelly of human capability for cruelty and served as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the devastating consequences when it fails. The legacy of Fred West is one of profound tragedy and a chilling reminder of the monsters that can walk among us. The case of Fred and Rose West highlighted systemic failures in detecting and preventing their crimes, raising questions about police procedures, social services and the ability of such horrific acts to remain hidden for so long. The lasting impact on the victims' families is immeasurable, their lives forever scarred by the brutal actions of the Wests.
Speaker 1:The earlier period in Glasgow, while less widely publicised than the Cromwell Street horrors, serves as a grim precursor, indicating that Fred West's disturbing patterns of behaviour and violence were present and developing long before he and Rose West became one of Britain's most infamous criminal couples. Fred West's time in Glasgow is seen as a significant period in the development of his criminal behaviour, where the pattern of abuse and control that would characterise his later life began to emerge. Pattern of abuse and control that would characterise his later life began to emerge. The disappearances linked to this time highlight the early stages of his violent crimes. There has always been strong suspicion about possible victims of Fred West during his time in Glasgow and while West did have an allotment in Glasgow during the 1960s and there has been speculation that he may have committed murders and buried victims there before his later crimes in Gloucester, no suspected victims of Fred West have been officially confirmed as found in an allotment in Scotland. Reports indicate that the location of West's Glasgow allotment has been a subject of interest, with some clarification that it is not as previously rumoured, under the M77 interchange. This has led to suggestions that new searches could theoretically be possible.
Speaker 1:The crimes of Fred and Rose West remain some of the most horrific in British history. The full extent of their crimes may never be known, but the confirmed victims are Anne McFall, believed to be Fred's first victim in 1967. Charmaine West, fred's stepdaughter, murdered in 1971. Rena West, fred's first wife, murdered in 1971. Linda Goff, murdered in 1973. Carol Cooper, murdered in 1973. Lucy Partington, murdered in 1973. Teresa Siegenthaler, murdered in 1974. Shirley Hubbard, murdered in 1974. Juanita Mott, murdered in 1975. Sonia Doherty, murdered in 1975. Alison Chambers, murdered in 1979. Heather West, their daughter, murdered in 1987.
Speaker 1:The case continues to be a subject of documentaries and books exploring the depths of their depravity and the impact on the victims' families and the wider community. Currently, there is a Netflix documentary about this despicable pair's crimes over the years. A documentary series titled Fred West the Glasgow Girls focuses on these early years in Glasgow, examining how his life of crime began in Scotland and how this period shaped him into the serial killer he became. The series also explores why repeated warnings about his abusive behaviour were ignored and why these victims were never reported missing. The information available does not specify a particular address where Fred West lived in Glasgow. The focus is on the fact that his criminal activities and the first murders he committed were linked to his time spent in the city during the early 1960s. Thank you.