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Rose West

Rosemary Pauline West (née Letts) is an English serial killer convicted of murdering 10 women and girls in connection with crimes committed with her husband, Fred West.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rosemary Pauline West (née Letts) is an English serial killer convicted of murdering 10 women and girls in connection with crimes committed with her husband, Fred West. She was convicted in 1995 and is serving a whole-life prison sentence in England. She has maintained her innocence since conviction.

Early life

Rosemary Pauline Letts was born in Devon, England, in 1953. Public reporting on her early life is limited compared with the later criminal investigation and trial.

Crimes and investigation

West became known through her involvement with Fred West in the torture and murder of young women and girls. The crimes were concentrated around the couple's home at 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester, where investigators later found human remains.

Trial and sentence

West was tried in 1995 and convicted of 10 murders. She received a whole-life sentence, meaning she was ordered to spend the rest of her life in prison without parole.

Current status

West remains incarcerated in England and continues to deny responsibility for the murders. Reports place her at HM Prison New Hall in West Yorkshire.

Key facts

  • Rose West was convicted in 1995 of 10 murders committed with her husband, Fred West.
  • Most of the murders were linked to 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester.
  • She is serving a whole-life sentence in England.
  • She has consistently maintained her innocence since conviction.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rose West?
Rose West is an English serial killer convicted in 1995 of murdering 10 women and girls, mainly in collaboration with her husband, Fred West.
What is Rose West’s real name?
Her full name is Rosemary Pauline West, born Rosemary Pauline Letts.
How many murders was she convicted of?
She was convicted of 10 murders.
Is Rose West still alive?
Yes. Reporting in recent years says she is still alive and imprisoned in England.
Where is Rose West imprisoned?
She has been reported as serving her sentence at HM Prison New Hall in West Yorkshire.
Did Rose West admit the crimes?
No. She has continued to maintain her innocence.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_West
    Supports: Birth name, date of birth, criminal activity, association with Fred West, and conviction details.
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y4dyjxl1po
    Supports: Conviction of ten murders and association with Fred West.
  3. Devon Live — https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/who-rose-west-devon-born-769292
    Supports: Birthplace, conviction, sentence, and reported imprisonment status.
  4. Netflix Tudum — https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/fred-and-rose-west-documentary-release-date-news
    Supports: Current imprisonment status, appeal refusal, and continued claim of innocence.