16 episodes

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

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Unheard: The Fred and Rose West Tapes Somethin' Else

    • True Crime
    • 4.1 • 832 Ratings

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.

    Introducing... Power: The Maxwells

    Introducing... Power: The Maxwells

    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.

    • 8 min
    Introducing... The Fault Line: Bush, Blair and Iraq

    Introducing... The Fault Line: Bush, Blair and Iraq

    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.

    • 5 min
    Introducing... The Immaculate Deception!

    Introducing... The Immaculate Deception!

    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.

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    • 4 min
    12: The Aftermath

    12: The Aftermath

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

    • 35 min
    11: Sister

    11: Sister

    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.

    • 33 min
    10: The Trial

    10: The Trial

    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.

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.1 out of 5
832 Ratings

832 Ratings

J.L.C.W ,

Well presented

Whilst very unsettling to listen to. I found it incredibly interesting. Not all that long ago how young women and girls could disappear off the face of the earth and no one thought to be concerned or to look for them. If only all the red flags had been together.
The episode “The Sister “ was hugely moving and a real lesson in humanity.

readikus ,

Quality issues

Almost turned this off after the first few minutes due to the inaudible recording quality. There is no value in this inaudible noise. It’s like when you meet a very dull person, and they insist you watch videos on their phone repeatedly.

KaptinXXX ,

Unintended interpretation

This podcast series is more an unintended documentation of the author’s abysmal journalistic ethics than an investigation that simply rehashes old information known about the West murders.

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