Suspected West victim could be buried at cafe

Detectives are searching a cafe in Gloucester for the body of a suspected teenage victim of serial killer Fred West.

Gloucestershire Police said they had received possible evidence to suggest the body of 15-yearold Mary Bastholm could be buried within the Clean Plate cafe in Southgate Street.

The force was called to the cafe on Friday by a TV production company filming a documentary.

Mary went missing on her way to catch a bus to visit her boyfriend in Gloucester in January 1968.

Serial killer West, who died in prison in 1995 aged 53, was previously suspected over Mary’s disappearance.

Along with his wife Rose, West tortured, raped and murdered an unknown number of women over a 20-year period.

A white tent was erected outside the cafe yesterday, with police officers stationed outside the building and a police van parked nearby. Officers were seen carrying evidence bags out of the cafe at about 2pm.

Gloucestershire Police said its major crime investigation team has deemed further assessments are required at the premises in order to determine whether an excavation is necessary, with officers expected to be at the scene for a number of weeks.

Family liaison officers have now been put in place to provide support and updates to Mary’s family.

It is understood Mary’s brother Peter Bastholm died last year.

Speaking in 2014, he had called on Rose West to reveal what happened to his sister.

He told Sky News then: “I

think Rose knows exactly what happened to Mary because I assume she and Fred discussed it between themselves. Whether she will ever disclose it, I really don’t know.”

Mary’s disappearance in 1968 was at a time when Fred West, who often did jobs in the street where she worked as a waitress in a

cafe, was abducting girls in Gloucester.

Fred West is said to have confessed to killing Mary in conversation with his son, Stephen, but never admitted it to police.

Assistant Chief Constable Craig Holden said: “This could be a significant development on a case which has gained a lot of public years.

“On the basis of the information provided to us, we consider this to be new and potentially important evidence in the case of Mary Bastholm. However further detailed assessments will take place over the following few days to determine the extent of excavation needed.”

He added: “Due to the potential scale of this there will likely be some disruption to those who work nearby and I ask for their patience and cooperation during this time.

“We will have local officers in the area and a visible police presence at the location, possibly for a number of weeks.”

Fred West was charged with 12 murders, but committed suicide in prison before his trial.

Rose West was convicted of 10 murders in November 1995 and is serving life. interest over the

SEALED OFF: Police have started to search a cafe in Gloucester after a tip-off that a 15-year-old potential victim of Fred West could be buried there.

Mary Bastholm, who vanished in 1968, and Fred West