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Unheard: The Fred and Rose West Tapes
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Unheard: The Fred and Rose West Tapes

Author: Somethin' Else

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In 1994, Howard Sounes began investigating a case of serial murder in an English cathedral city. A married couple, Fred and Rose West, had killed at least twelve women and girls, including their own daughter. They cut their victims up and buried the remains of nine bodies under their house at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester, where the Wests continued to live undetected... for decades. 


Uncovering their secrets as a journalist and author, researching his classic crime book Fred & Rose, Howard recorded his enquiries and interviews on cassette tape. Twenty-five years on, Howard revisits these previously unheard tapes. He also speaks to new witnesses, as he reveals the full story of the Wests, with new insights, in this compelling 12-part podcast series from Somethin’ Else


Fred & Rose by Howard Sounes is available now on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Episodes
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Everyone’s heard of Ghislaine Maxwell (Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged partner in crime). But there’s a shadowy figure who hangs above her who you likely don’t know: her father, media tycoon Robert Maxwell. His rise from nothing to fall… from the deck of his super yacht under mysterious circumstances is straight out of a crime novel. His favorite daughter Ghislaine’s theory: her father was murdered. From Somethin’ Else, makers of ‘The Immaculate Deception’ and ‘The Faultline: Bush, Blair & Iraq’, hosted by Investigative journalist Tara Palmeri, ‘Power: The Maxwells’ is a seven part series on the incredible true story of a media mogul whose legacy is still being felt today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hi Unheard fans, we've made a show we think you'll like....On September 11th 2001, as he faced incalculable losses after the terrorist attacks that day, President George W Bush made a call to his greatest international ally: British Prime Minister Tony Blair. 18 months later, Bush and Blair led a coalition into a war that went horribly wrong. David Dimbleby, one of the BBC’s best known news hosts and reporters, takes us back to those crucial 18 months. Talking to prime ministers, politicians, spies and weapons inspectors he asks how and why we came to invade Iraq. And as we experience an era of lies and mistrust - did the events of 17 years ago set the stage for the world we live in now?This is a Somethin' Else production.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hi Unheard fans, we've made a show we think you'll like....Fertility doctor Jan Karbaat was renowned for getting amazing results. Women who were desperate for children would visit him at his Rotterdam clinic and leave pregnant. But when the clinic closed, rumours began about the methods Karbaat used to achieve his success. The children conceived at the clinic - the Karbaat Kids - began asking difficult questions about what happened to their mothers. What happened in Dr Karbaat’s clinic? From Somethin’ Else, The Immaculate Deception is a story about a doctor who was determined to create life - by any means possible. Reported and hosted by Jenny Kleeman.This is a Somethin' Else Production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12: The Aftermath

12: The Aftermath

2019-11-2636:0918

In October 1996, Fred and Rose West’s house, 25 Cromwell Street is knocked down by Gloucester City Council. In the years since, what happened to the Wests and to the families of the victims caught up in the murder enquiry? Howard reflects on the legacy of Cromwell Street.Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11: Sister

11: Sister

2019-11-1934:5518

Christmas 1973. Marian Partington’s younger sister, Lucy, was a university student at home for the holidays. She was visiting a friend for the evening and was meant to catch the bus home. But she never returned. 21 years later, Lucy’s body was among the nine uncovered from 25 Cromwell Street. How did Marian confront the horror of what happened to her sister? She reveals a long and difficult process that led her towards forgiveness for the Wests. Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10: The Trial

10: The Trial

2019-11-1247:4819

October 1995. With Fred West dead, Rose West stands accused of ten murders amid huge media attention. Howard speaks with Sasha Wass, part of the legal team defending Rose. Intense media scrutiny threatens the chance of a fair trial. Could Rose walk free?Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
9: The Unravelling

9: The Unravelling

2019-11-0540:0723

Derek and Wendy Thomson owned a construction company. One of their employees was Fred West. In February 1994, Derek receives a phone call from Rose. She sounds panicked and wants to speak to Fred urgently. The police have arrived at their home with a search warrant to dig up the back yard. The muder investigation begins...Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
8: The One That Got Away

8: The One That Got Away

2019-10-2936:3516

Spring 1994, the British media’s appetite for the West case is insatiable. Howard meets Caroline Owens, one of the Wests’ victims who managed to escape. She was assaulted by the Wests in the early 70s and reported them to the police. How did the Wests escape justice for another two decades? Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7: The Search For Juanita

7: The Search For Juanita

2019-10-2228:2417

Belinda Mott’s sister, Juanita, was last seen alive in 1975. She was 18, estranged from her parents and sofa surfing around Gloucestershire, England. In the years after the disappearance, Belinda visited friends who lived at 25 Cromwell Street not knowing that her sister’s body was buried in the cellar. Howard Sounes meets Belinda and her other sister Mary-Ann to hear about their search for Juanita. Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6: "They'll Kill Me"

6: "They'll Kill Me"

2019-10-1528:5520

While Gill Britt lodged at Cromwell Street she had no idea that her landlord Fred and his wife Rose were murderers. She noticed Rose’s prostitution and overheard childrens’ screams. But 40 years on, in her first ever interview, she recalls the warning signs she missed at the time. Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
5: "I'm Happy, Mum"

5: "I'm Happy, Mum"

2019-10-0836:2623

Howard Sounes meets Rose’s mother Daisy Letts as she tries to come to terms with the news that her daughter is an alleged mass killer and that her grand-daughter, Heather, was among the victims. Howard uncovers Rose’s unhappy childhood.Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
4: Mother and Daughter

4: Mother and Daughter

2019-10-0127:3229

How did Fred meet Rose? Howard Sounes interviews family members to try to piece the story together. Rose left a care home to live with Fred shortly after her 16th birthday. Then while Fred is in jail, a mysterious death happens at their flat in Gloucester, England.  Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3: Fingerpost Field

3: Fingerpost Field

2019-09-2433:5532

In 1994, in a field outside the small village of Much Marcle, the remains of Fred West’s first victim were found. She’d been dead for twenty-seven years. Her disappearance had gone unreported. How was this possible? Howard Sounes follows the trail to Glasgow, Scotland, where Fred moved with his first wife in the early 60s. Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2: Young Freddy

2: Young Freddy

2019-09-1733:4634

What made Fred West into a murderer? The West family say Fred had never been the same since a teenage motorcycle accident. Howard visits Fred’s birthplace, the quaint village of Much Marcle, and uncovers details from his past. Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1: The Missing Daughter

1: The Missing Daughter

2019-09-1032:3864

In June 1987, sixteen year old Heather West disappears. Her parents, Fred and Rose tell their other children she has gone to work at a holiday camp. Heather’s siblings never hear from her again. Seven years later, her remains are excavated from the back yard of the family home. This discovery leads to journalist Howard Sounes receiving a tip-off that sets him on a journey into one of the UK’s most infamous crime stories.Subscribe today so you don’t miss future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this gripping 12-part series, author Howard Sounes revisits his unheard interview tapes to reveal the true story of husband and wife serial killers, Fred and Rose West.Fred & Rose by Howard Sounes is available now on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.comA Somethin' Else production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Comments (38)

Paul Hughes

G

Oct 3rd
Reply

Perry Mee

what a nightmare

Oct 27th
Reply

Su

It's terrifying to even imagine a couple with a baby in the car may have lured a young girl into their trap in order to torture and kill her

Mar 10th
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Dee DackelsArt

What a great podcast! It I think you should do more about other killers even if you weren't involved in them like you were this one, I think with your research techniques, you could write some amazing podcasts about other heinous crimes. Even though this was such a sad sorry dark story of a killer couple, it was written beautifully, such clear detail, and obviously written with a huge amount of passion and care. I look forward to future writings here in the podcasts and look forward listening to more of your writings and recordings. Keep up your great writing's and work.

Oct 12th
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Derek Sproul

Would be good if you mentioned something about creating the "House of Horrors" line.

Mar 20th
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kaija thom

it's a shame this isnt edited better. i can barely hear any of the interviews

Feb 18th
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Scott Little

***** excellent

Jan 11th
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Lisetthe Jenneboer

the audio quality is so poor🤷🏼‍♀️ I don't hear anything

Dec 26th
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BOO DADDY

I mean yeah do what you have to to get past the grief but this is a bit loony. Grief is inherently and unavoidably selfish, we must get past it for our remaining loved ones. Evil people like rose don't care about your forgiveness. I think it'd go a long way toward healing victim's grief if those that deserved capital punishment received it. A lack of justice is a secondary torture to victims.

Dec 9th
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Jon Sellers

Great series but my only critique is Howard's unnecessary repetition of what is said on some of the audio tapes. I don't think it's needed or gives anything extra

Dec 4th
Reply (1)

Alissa Maxwell

I rarely get emotional listening to true crime stories. I think I compartmentalize in that way. However, Marian's recalling holding her sister's skull and recognizing its shape, kissing it, had me in tears. There are some things you would never think of because you haven't been in that situation.

Nov 29th
Reply (2)

Sara-Jane Davies

Excellent podcast - well produced and really informative. I was sorry to reach the final episode.

Nov 28th
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SleepyCat

I am in awe of Marian's courage and strength. I certainly could not forgive in those circumstances. I think though, she may have found some peace.

Nov 19th
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Mandy Lynn Pillsbury

Great episode. I really think the turning point in the case was when the jury went to the house.!!!

Nov 12th
Reply (1)

Tammy D. Schmidt

Excellent podcast, professionally presented on a difficult and horrific subject. Informative without losing its humanity. A 'must listen to'.

Nov 12th
Reply (1)

Sallie poultney

Love this podcast, so informative although the lodger Gill is so annoying, she could have helped Ann Marie but ignored the signs , how could you.

Nov 9th
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Mandy Lynn Pillsbury

They talk alot about head injuries and serial killers in My Favorite Murder.

Nov 9th
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Venera

one of the most gripping podcasts out there right now! I love it.

Nov 8th
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Mandy Lynn Pillsbury

Great podcast, those poor children.

Nov 6th
Reply (1)

Matt Barlow

The head injury may not have have led to epilepsy but now it's been confirmed that damage to the frontal lobe of the brain can lead to a massive change in behavior such as increased anger and a lack of empathy. A lot of serial killers have sustain this type of damage.

Oct 30th
Reply
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