The son of one of Britain's most infamous serial killers has broken his silence in a shocking new documentary. Stephen West, whose father Fred West committed at least 12 murders with his wife Rose in Gloucester during the 1960s-80s, reveals disturbing family secrets in Channel 5's Fred & Rose West: The Untold Story With Trevor McDonald.
A Childhood of Horror
Now 47, Stephen describes growing up in the West household as "living with monsters". He recounts how his parents would disappear for hours into the cellar - the same cellar where human remains were later discovered by police.
"I remember hearing strange noises," Stephen admits. "There were always odd smells in the house that mum would try to cover up with air freshener."
The Grisly Discoveries
The documentary revisits the horrifying 1994 investigation that uncovered:
- 9 victims buried at the West's Cromwell Street home
- 3 more bodies found at previous West residences
- Evidence suggesting Fred West may have killed up to 30 people
Forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes provides new analysis in the program, explaining how the couple managed to evade detection for decades.
A Son's Trauma
Most chilling are Stephen's personal accounts of life after his parents' arrest. He describes being taken into care and the moment he learned about his father's suicide in prison.
"Part of me was relieved," Stephen confesses. "But I'll never escape being Fred West's son."
The documentary airs Wednesday at 9pm on Channel 5, offering unprecedented insight into one of Britain's darkest criminal cases.
