“The Silent Twins” June and Jennifer Gibbons only communicated with each other, using their own special language, reflecting each other’s behavior for three decades.
In April 1963, at a military hospital in Aden, Yemen, twin girls June and Jennifer Gibbons were born. Initially, their appearance was unremarkable, but in the ensuing years, the strange behavior of this twin pair attracted the attention of not just their family but also psychological experts. Their story, known as the “Silent Twins”, is a journey full of tragedy and mystery.
Twin girls June and Jennifer Gibbons as children.
Distinct Childhood and the Private World of June and Jennifer
Growing up in Wales in an immigrant family from Barbados, June and Jennifer quickly exhibited behaviors that set them apart from other children. From a young age, they developed a unique language thought to be an accelerated variant of Barbados Creole, which no one but themselves could understand. They communicated almost exclusively with each other, refusing to engage with outsiders, including their parents, and were completely dependent on one another.
The twins’ isolation became more apparent when they entered elementary school. As the only Black children in their class, they became targets of bullying, which further pushed them into their own world. They even mimicked each other’s actions, refusing to communicate verbally and showing no outward emotions.
These traits caused their parents, Gloria and Aubrey Gibbons, immense concern. “At home, they seemed to talk to each other, making strange sounds, but it wasn’t like normal children,” their father recalled.
“The Silent Twins” June and Jennifer Gibbons in elementary school.
Strange Behavior Draws Attention from Experts
In 1974, Dr. John Rees noted the unusual behavior of June and Jennifer during a school health check-up. He described them as living dolls, with behavior that was completely different. Rees called upon psychological experts for help, but therapeutic efforts yielded no results. The twins remained silent and rejected any external contact.
A bold experiment was conducted in 1977 when experts decided to separate them and send them to two different boarding schools. However, instead of encouraging personal development, this experiment ended in failure. Both fell into a state of near immobility, refusing to eat or communicate. When reunited, their bond tightened even further, completely withdrawing from the outside world.
Dark Fantasies and Life on the Margins
During their years of isolation, June and Jennifer found solace in writing stories. Their narratives often centered around young characters committing horrifying crimes. One such tale, “The Pepsi-Cola Addict“, tells the story of a teenager seduced by his teacher and was self-published. However, these works were not enough to fill the void of their loneliness.
At the age of 18, the twins began experimenting with drugs, alcohol, and crime. This behavior escalated into arson, leading to their arrest in 1981. The court ordered them to be placed in the high-security Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, where they endured 12 years of harsh confinement.
During their years of isolation, June and Jennifer found solace in writing stories.
The Mysterious Death of Jennifer Gibbons
In 1993, after many years at Broadmoor, doctors decided to transfer the twins to a lower-security facility. However, during the journey, Jennifer suddenly collapsed and died from acute myocarditis at the age of 29.
Jennifer’s death was a turning point. Shortly after, June began speaking to others as if she had never been silent before. “I felt like I had been set free,” June shared in a later interview. She was discharged shortly thereafter and began a normal life, something that had previously seemed impossible.
The Mysteries Surrounding the “Silent Twins” Story
The story of June and Jennifer Gibbons is not just a strange psychological phenomenon but also a lesson on isolation, sisterhood, and the fine line between attachment and control. Journalist Marjorie Wallace, who studied and wrote about them, describes the twins’ story as “a unique tragedy.”
The story of June and Jennifer Gibbons remains a mystery to many experts.
Wallace spent years exploring their lives through journals and their stories. She believes that the relationship between June and Jennifer was a blend of intense love and self-destructive competition. In one diary entry, Jennifer wrote: “We decided that one of us had to go. After her death, I would be free.”
The story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, the silent twins, remains a mystery to many experts. From their years spent in their own world to Jennifer’s sudden death, this story reflects the power and darker side of the twin bond.
After stepping away from the spotlight, June found peace in a simple life. She still keeps journals as a reminder of her strange journey and her deceased sister. Their story, although tragic, continues to provoke deep reflections on human psychology and the strength of family love.
