The death of his first wife, Frances Shea, by suicide in 1967 defined the rest of Reggie Kray’s life. The Kray twin who outlived his brother never fully recovered from the loss, and his subsequent years were a long decline marked by prison, terminal illness, and just 35 days of freedom.
Born: 24 October 1933 ·
Died: 1 October 2000 ·
Compassionate release: 26 August 2000 ·
Known for: Organized crime in London
Quick snapshot
- Reggie Kray was born on 24 October 1933 (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
- He died on 1 October 2000 of bladder cancer (The New York Times, a reputable US newspaper).
- He was released on compassionate grounds on 26 August 2000 (Wikipedia).
- The exact number of murders committed by the Kray twins is unknown (Wikipedia).
- The specific medical condition that led to compassionate release is not fully detailed in available sources. (Wikipedia)
- Why Ronnie Kray’s brain was removed after his death remains unexplained in public records. (Wikipedia)
- 1967: Frances Kray dies by suicide (Wikipedia).
- 1969: Reggie and Ronnie are convicted of murder (Wikipedia).
- 2000: Reggie is released and dies 35 days later (The Washington Post, a leading US newspaper).
- No further criminal investigations are pending; the Kray twins’ legacy remains a subject of cultural fascination.
- Questions about the full extent of their crimes continue to be debated in true crime circles.
Seven key facts, one pattern: Reggie Kray’s life was marked by short, intense periods of freedom and long stretches of incarceration.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Reginald Kray |
| Born | 24 October 1933 |
| Died | 1 October 2000 |
| Occupation | Gangster, nightclub owner |
| Spouse(s) | Frances Shea (1965–1967), Roberta Jones (1997–2000) |
| Children | None |
| Brother | Ronnie Kray |
What happened to Reggie Kray after Frances died?
What happened to Frances Kray?
- Frances Shea married Reggie Kray in 1965 (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
- She died by suicide in 1967; an inquest ruled the death a suicide (Express, a UK tabloid newspaper).
- Family members later said Reggie never fully recovered from her death (Crime+Investigation, a UK factual television channel).
The implication: the loss of Frances was the defining emotional rupture in Reggie’s life, and subsequent events—his conviction, his brother’s death, his own terminal illness—all unfolded against that backdrop.
Who was Reggie Kray’s second wife?
- Reggie married Roberta Jones in 1997 while still in prison (Wikipedia).
- Roberta remained with him until his death in 2000 (The Independent, a UK broadsheet newspaper).
The pattern: both marriages were short—Frances’s ended in tragedy, Roberta’s in a few years of intermittent freedom and caregiving.
How did Reggie Kray die?
- He was diagnosed with inoperable bladder cancer in 2000 (Crime+Investigation).
- Home Secretary Jack Straw approved his compassionate release (The Washington Post).
- He was released from prison on 26 August 2000 (Wikipedia).
- He died on 1 October 2000 at a hotel in Norwich, reportedly peacefully in his sleep (The Independent; The Washington Post).
The trade-off: 30 years behind bars gave him just 35 days of freedom before cancer claimed him.
Reggie Kray, who spent decades running a brutal criminal empire, died in a hotel room with his wife by his side—a quiet end that contrasted sharply with the violence of his prime.
Were the Kray twins Irish?
- The Kray twins were of Irish descent on their mother’s side (Wikipedia).
- Their mother Violet was of Irish Catholic background (Wikipedia).
Why this matters: the Irish heritage of the Krays is often mentioned in cultural commentaries to explain their East End identity, but it had little bearing on their criminal operations.
Did Reggie Kray have children?
- Reggie Kray had no children from either marriage (Wikipedia).
- He was married twice but had no offspring (Wikipedia).
The catch: the Kray twins’ line ended with their deaths—no direct descendants to carry the name.
What condition did Reggie Kray have?
- Reggie was diagnosed with inoperable bladder cancer while in prison (Crime+Investigation).
- Doctors gave him just weeks to live after the diagnosis (Crime+Investigation).
Why was Ronnie Kray’s brain removed?
- After Ronnie’s death in 1995, his brain was removed, but the reason is not specified in the provided sources (Wikipedia).
The pattern: both Kray brothers’ deaths were surrounded by medical mysteries—Ronnie’s brain removal, Reggie’s rapid decline after release.
How many murders did the Krays commit?
- The Kray twins were convicted of two murders: Jack ‘the Hat’ McVitie and George Cornell (Wikipedia).
- They are suspected of numerous other murders, but the exact number is unknown (Wikipedia).
The implication: the two official convictions are just the tip of a much larger, unverified iceberg.
For true crime researchers, the gap between the two proven murders and the dozens of alleged killings remains the most tantalizing unresolved piece of the Kray story.
Timeline
- 24 October 1933 – Reginald Kray born in Haggerston, London (Wikipedia).
- 1965 – Marries Frances Shea (Wikipedia).
- 1967 – Frances Kray dies by suicide (Wikipedia).
- 1969 – Reggie and Ronnie convicted of murder and sentenced to life (Wikipedia).
- 1997 – Reggie marries Roberta Jones (Wikipedia).
- 26 August 2000 – Reggie released on compassionate grounds (Wikipedia).
- 1 October 2000 – Reggie Kray dies (The Independent).
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Reggie Kray was born 24 Oct 1933.
- Died 1 Oct 2000.
- Married Frances Shea.
- Frances died 1967.
- Convicted of murder.
- Released 26 Aug 2000.
- No children.
- Married second wife Roberta Jones.
What’s unclear
- Exact number of murders committed by the Krays.
- Specific medical condition that led to compassionate release.
- Reason for Ronnie Kray’s brain removal.
Quotes from the record
“Reggie Kray, the last of the Kray clan, died of cancer.”
— The Independent (2000) (The Independent, UK broadsheet newspaper)
“His death followed over thirty years of incarceration and a brief 35 days of liberty.”
— The Washington Post (2000) (The Washington Post, leading US newspaper)
“Frances Shea’s death deeply affected Reggie Kray and family believed he never fully recovered.”
— Crime+Investigation UK biography (Crime+Investigation, UK factual television channel)
For anyone following the Kray story, the lesson is clear: Reggie Kray’s life after Frances was a long, slow decline—first in prison, then in the shadow of terminal illness. The 35 days of freedom he gained were a final, brief coda to a violent and lonely life.
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publicaffairs.uk, cityreporter.co.uk, hackneygazette.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, thesun.co.uk, crimelibrary.org, pressenode.de
Frequently asked questions
What was Reggie Kray’s net worth?
At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated to be modest—mostly from profits from his nightclub days and later book deals, but exact figures are not publicly available.
What movies have been made about the Kray twins?
Several films, including “The Krays” (1990) and “Legend” (2015), have dramatized their lives.
How tall was Reggie Kray?
He was approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
Where is Reggie Kray buried?
He is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery in London, alongside his brother Ronnie.
What was the Kray twins’ childhood like?
They grew up in the East End of London, raised by their mother Violet and father Charles, who was often absent due to his own criminal activities.
Did Reggie Kray have any other siblings besides Ronnie?
Yes, they had an older brother, Charles Kray, who was also involved in crime but not as notorious.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.