Fred West refused to tell his son where body of Mary Bastholm was buried

He said his father had boasted in prison how her body and others would remain undiscovered. Stephen said he became convinced she was a victim after quizzing his father in a Birmingham jail, just before his suicide on January 1, 1995.

Fred West was then awaiting trial accused of 12 murders, including those of his daughter Heather,16, and eight-year-old stepdaughter Charmaine.

On January 5, 1968 Mary Bastholm vanished without trace from a bus stop in Gloucester. She was going to meet her boyfriend to spend the evening playing Monopoly.

Fred West's wife Rose was jailed for life in 1995 for 10 killings

A few of the game's pieces were found on the snow-covered ground near the bus stop. Although there has never been any hard evidence, police believe she was likely to have been a victim of Fred West.

West denied involvement publicly, although he admitted at least 10 other murders in police interviews. West was a known braggart and an accomplished liar.

He was later to claim another 20 victims in private conversations with volunteer worker Janet Leach while awaiting trial.

Victim seen in West's car

In the weeks leading to his death, West was visited in prison by Stephen. He said his father talked of more victims and said: "They are not going to find them all, you know, never."

Stephen asked him: "Mary?" and claimed his father replied: "I will never tell anyone where she is."

Stephen maintained: "That was good enough for me."

Mary worked as a waitress at a cafe where Fred West was a customer. He also did some building work at the rear of the premises and the teenager was seen by witnesses in West's car.

Brother relieved

Mary Bastholm's brother Peter is convinced she was a West victim. Three weeks ago his father, Christian, a widower, died without knowing the fate of his daughter.

Peter said he watched the horrific events unfold at Cromwell Street and he and his mother had waited with dread for news of Mary.

He said: "My mother took it badly. She passed away without knowing what had happened to her only daughter."

Mr Bastholm said he was relieved by the news but that he could never rest until a body was found.