Rose Wests twisted childhood revealed in new study

Police Recover Human Remains from Fred and Rose West’s Home

Police officers carried unmarked black boxes containing dismembered human body parts out of Fred and Rose West’s house. The world watched as the search for human remains began at their notorious home.

Fred and Rose West killed at least a dozen women. Police searched the garden of their home for more remains.

Criminologist Jane Carter Woodrow recalls the day police unearthed the remains of Fred’s daughter Heather, buried in the garden at 25 Cromwell Street. They later found two more bodies under the patio and six more dismembered women in the cellar.

Rose West, now serving a life sentence for the murders of ten young women, including her daughters, participated in extreme violence until their reign of terror ended in 1993. Jane appears in a new Sky documentary titled “Fred West: The Glasgow Girls.”

Jane’s Insights on the Wests’ Crimes

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Jane described her feelings during the discovery. She said, “It was a feeling of pure terror.” She knew the contents of the black boxes were body parts based on the police’s actions.

Jane, the author of “Rose West: The Making of a Monster,” became intrigued by Rose while studying women in prison. In 2006, she passed the Gloucester house where the Wests tortured their victims. Although the house has been demolished, Jane wanted to learn more about the crimes that occurred there.

She explained, “I wanted to know what were the steps to that? How had that happened?” Jane began contacting people in Gloucestershire to gather information.

Discovering the Depths of Evil

As Jane learned more, she was horrified by the Wests’ crimes. She stated, “What Rose did was awful. She ripped girls apart.” Rose was involved in sadistic acts, while Fred preferred more straightforward violence.

Jane noted that Rose abused her children and murdered her stepdaughter Charmaine in 1971. When Charmaine’s body was found, several bones were missing.

Jane said, “It’s unusual for women to kill,” but Rose was different. She was influenced by her abusive father, Bill Letts, and had a history of violence.

Family Background and Abuse

Rose’s father abused her from an early age. Reports suggest her son Barry may be the result of their incestuous relationship. Rose continued to have a sexual relationship with her father even after marrying Fred.

Jane believes Rose’s violent tendencies began before her birth. Her mother received electroconvulsive therapy while pregnant. As a child, Rose molested her younger brothers.

After meeting Fred, Rose lured young girls to their home for her sadistic pleasure. She would lock them in the cellar, wearing the keys around her neck.

The Horrific Crimes Unfold

Jane described how the Wests targeted vulnerable girls. They tortured girls over several days, even when Fred was not home. Jane spoke to many people to learn about Rose’s role in the crimes.

She noted, “Children don’t abuse, it doesn’t come out of nowhere.” Rose’s violent upbringing contributed to her actions. Jane stated that Rose’s aggression grew over time.

As the extent of the couple’s cruelty became known, it shocked the nation. Fred confessed to 30 killings but died by suicide in 1995. Rose maintained her innocence, claiming manipulation by Fred.

Impact on Jane’s Life

Jane’s research into Rose’s childhood has affected her deeply. She admitted, “It makes me angry, I still get emotional.” She has become mistrustful of people and wary of being alone with others.

Sky Crime’s documentary reveals Fred’s hidden life in Glasgow and the experiences of his first victims, including his first wife Rena Costello and her daughter Charmaine.