Gangster legend Freddie Foreman, 'Brown Bread Fred' and feared Kray twins enforcer, dies aged 94

From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026 · last updated 11 October 2026.

Freddie Foreman, the feared South London gangster who served as hitman and body disposer for the Kray twins, has died aged 94 at a West London care home following a short illness, with his eldest son Greg at his side. Known as 'Brown Bread Fred' and 'The Guv'nor', he was acquitted of murder four times at the Old Bailey — yet later admitted to carrying out two of those killings and dumping the victims' bodies at sea. He also helped dispose of Jack 'The Hat' McVitie's body, wrapped in chicken wire and sunk with weights, after Reggie Kray murdered him.

Foreman was jailed for ten years in 1969 over McVitie's disposal and served 16 years across 15 different prisons.

He pulled off the record-breaking £6 million Security Express cash heist in 1983 before fleeing to the 'Costa del Crime', and was only released from jail in 1995.

Godson Nick Reynolds called it 'the end of an era', adding Foreman was 'a formidable character — feared by some and loved by many, but an old-fashioned gentleman.'