The son of convicted serial killer Rose West is preparing to turn the page on a troubled past, as he sets his sights on a new life—and a Welsh celebration of love. Stephen West, 51, is due to marry his fiancée Emma Bradley this August at one of Wales’ most distinguished destinations, the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.
While his childhood was marred by the grotesque crimes committed by his parents—Fred and Rose West—Stephen has resolutely distanced himself from that legacy. The couple, who recently welcomed their daughter Eden, are looking to the future with hope and determination. Their wedding at the iconic Welsh hotel represents not just a union of love, but a symbolic break from a past that has cast a long shadow.
Stephen’s mother, Rose West, now 71, is serving a full-life sentence for her role in the murder of at least 10 women and girls. She is not expected to ever leave prison, let alone meet her granddaughter. Having cut all ties with his mother, Stephen has chosen to forge a path defined by his own choices, not his origins.
Fred West, Stephen’s father, was one of Britain’s most reviled serial killers. He died by suicide in prison in 1995 while awaiting trial for a string of murders committed over two decades, many with Rose’s assistance. Stephen grew up in the now-infamous “house of horrors” in Gloucester but has since fought to redefine himself, publicly acknowledging the internal struggle of separating nature from nurture.
Now living in Abbeymead, Gloucester, with Emma—who works as a nurse at Gloucester Royal Hospital and has two daughters from a previous relationship—Stephen keeps his focus firmly on his family. “At this time in his life, he’s got a young family to protect,” Emma said, speaking to media. “That’s where his priorities lie.”
Despite the release of the Netflix documentary Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story, which delved into the couple’s crimes, Stephen remains largely silent on the subject. Emma confirmed they had watched the series but added, “He doesn’t want to say anything. His main priority is the little ones.”
Stephen’s journey to stability has not been a straightforward one. Having been married twice before, he is now a father of eight and recently became a grandfather. Yet those close to him say his focus today is unwavering—providing a secure, loving home for his children and carving out a life far removed from the infamy of his surname.
Meanwhile, Rose West’s life in prison continues to grow more isolated. Held at HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire, she has reportedly been moved to a disability-adapted wing due to her declining health and difficulty walking. She now spends her days knitting, watching television—especially nature documentaries—and eating alone, often opting for tomato soup in the morning.
In a futile attempt to shake off her notorious past, West legally changed her name to Jennifer Jones in December 2024, reportedly at a cost of £36. But within the prison walls, the name holds little weight—her true identity remains an open secret. Fellow inmates, it’s said, keep their distance. Efforts to befriend others have been met with cold indifference, despite gestures like gifting vapes.
West now resides in Rivendell House, a more modern and comfortable unit within New Hall. While each of the 30 inmates has access to a personal laptop and en-suite facilities, sources suggest West remains largely confined to her cell, both physically and socially.
