The Silent Twins Criminal Behavior in Wales United Kingdom

The story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, often referred to as The Silent Twins, is one of the most mysterious and chilling cases of twin psychology, selective mutism, and criminal behavior. Born in 1963 to Barbadian parents, the twins grew up in Wales, United Kingdom, where they became known for their refusal to communicate with anyone but each other. Their reclusive nature and eerie synchronicity led them down a dark path of crime, culminating in a series of arson attacks in 1981 that landed them in Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility.

Their case raises unsettling questions about mental health treatment, the justice system, and the impact of isolation on human behavior. This article explores their criminal activities, their time at Broadmoor, and the tragic fate that awaited them.

The Early Life of the Silent Twins

June and Jennifer Gibbons were born on April 11, 1963, in Aden, Yemen, where their father was stationed with the Royal Air Force. Shortly after their birth, the family relocated to Haverfordwest, Wales, in the late 1960s. Growing up, they were the only Black children in their community, which subjected them to bullying, racism, and social isolation.

As they matured, the twins developed a private language, spoken so quickly that no one else could understand it. This deepened their detachment from the outside world, and they refused to speak to teachers, classmates, or even their own family.

In a desperate attempt to integrate them into society, authorities separated them and sent them to different schools. The plan backfired, as both girls became completely catatonic, refusing to eat, move, or interact with anyone until they were reunited.

Their obsession with each other intensified. They withdrew completely, spending long hours in their bedroom, mirroring each other’s movements and engaging in elaborate fantasy worlds. They also began writing fiction, often filled with dark and violent themes.

Descent into Crime and Arson Attacks (1981)

As they reached their late teenage years, June and Jennifer’s fantasies took a disturbing turn. Feeling trapped in their reality, they longed for excitement and rebellion. Inspired by American pop culture and crime stories, they began committing petty theft, vandalism, and eventually arson.

In 1981, the twins embarked on a dangerous crime spree:

• They set fire to Pembrokeshire Technical College.
• They attempted to burn down a local department store.
• They vandalized and broke into multiple properties.

After months of criminal activity, they were finally caught and charged with multiple counts of arson, burglary, and theft.

At trial, their behavior bewildered authorities. They remained silent, speaking only to each other, and showed little to no remorse for their actions. Psychiatrists struggled to diagnose them, debating whether they suffered from a shared psychotic disorder (folie à deux) or simply refused to communicate as an act of defiance.

Rather than a traditional prison sentence, the court deemed them mentally ill and sentenced them to indefinite detention at Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric institution in England.

Broadmoor Hospital: 11 Years of Isolation

At Broadmoor, the twins endured some of the most harrowing years of their lives.

• They were heavily medicated, often leaving them in a zombie-like state.
• They were kept separate, worsening their emotional and psychological distress.
• Doctors continued to struggle to understand their condition, as they exhibited moments of intelligence, creativity, and violence.

During their time at Broadmoor:

• Jennifer attempted to strangle June with a cord.
• June tried to kill Jennifer by pushing her off a building.
• Both wrote diary entries detailing their resentment toward each other, yet they still refused to separate.

A particularly chilling passage in Jennifer’s diary read:
“We have become fatal enemies in each other’s eyes. We feel the irritating, deadly rays come out of our bodies, stinging each other’s skin. I say to myself, ‘Can I get rid of my own shadow?’”

The Mysterious Death of Jennifer Gibbons

By the early 1990s, authorities decided to transfer the twins to a lower-security facility. However, shortly before the move, Jennifer told June she felt she was going to die soon.

On March 9, 1993, during the transfer to Caswell Clinic in Bridgend, Wales, Jennifer suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead from acute myocarditis (inflammation of the heart).

Her cause of death remains a mystery, as no drugs, toxins, or medical conditions were found to explain her sudden heart failure. Some theorized that Jennifer had willed herself to die as part of a long-standing pact with June—an agreement that one of them had to die for the other to live a normal life.

June’s Life After Jennifer’s Death

Following Jennifer’s death, June began speaking normally. She became more social and independent, which shocked doctors who had previously believed she was mentally unwell.

She was released from psychiatric care and reintegrated into society.

• She moved to Wales and began living a quiet, private life.
• She occasionally spoke about her past but avoided public attention.
• She expressed deep sadness over Jennifer’s death but acknowledged that it freed her from their intense psychological bond.

The Lasting Legacy of the Silent Twins

The case of June and Jennifer Gibbons remains one of the most bizarre and unsettling cases in criminal psychology.

• Their refusal to speak to anyone but each other raises questions about the power of twin relationships and isolation.
• Their descent into crime and institutionalization highlights failures in the mental health and justice system.
• The mysterious death of Jennifer continues to puzzle psychologists and medical experts.

Their story has been the subject of books, documentaries, and films, including:

• “The Silent Twins” (1986) – a book by journalist Marjorie Wallace.
• “The Silent Twins” (2022) – a feature film starring Letitia Wright.

Conclusion

The criminal acts of June and Jennifer Gibbons in 1981 led to one of the most infamous cases of psychological mystery. Their story continues to fascinate, disturb, and raise critical questions about mental illness, twin psychology, and the consequences of extreme isolation.

The legacy of the Silent Twins remains a chilling reminder of how deeply the human mind can be affected by loneliness, obsession, and an unbreakable bond.