Oxygen’s World’s Most Notorious Killers returns with a chilling exploration of one of Britain’s most infamous serial killers, Fred West. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill true crime procedural. “The West Murders” focuses on the grim discovery of a literal house of horrors—a “graveyard of bones” buried beneath 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester, England. For those unfamiliar with the case (and honestly, good for you if you aren’t), the sheer scale of West’s depravity is genuinely stomach-churning.
This installment isn’t just about the body count; it’s a meticulous examination of the investigative process. The episode tracks the arduous work of law enforcement as they piece together the identities of the victims and uncover the disturbing secrets of the West family. It’s the kind of grim, detailed work that fascinates true crime devotees, but it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
“The West Murders” fits within the larger series’ aim to dissect major murder investigations worldwide, giving viewers a look into the methods of detectives and forensic scientists. The show wants to highlight how seemingly ordinary individuals, driven by base motives like greed, envy, or vengeance, can inflict such widespread devastation. And, of course, how they’re eventually brought down. From the UK to Belgium, Austria, and India, each episode is framed through the experiences of those directly involved in the cases, making the stories feel both immediate and unsettling.
Oxygen reminds us that World’s Most Notorious Killers airs Mondays at 8:00 PM. “The West Murders” premieres Monday, December 2, 2024.
