Perhaps no crime sparks the imagination as much as the Jack the Ripper murders that occured the in 1880s in London, England. The brutality, the unknown identity of the murderer, and the tantalizing clues have all led to a wide range of speculation and theories as to who the Ripper was. Books about the case are still being written and often appear on the bestseller list after publication. Countless movies have been based on the crimes.
In the 1880s, London's east end was full of people at or below the poverty line. Jobs were difficult to come by and those who could find jobs were forced to work 15 hour days in sweatshops. Russian and German Jews fleeing persecution from their homeland were streaming in and anti-semitism became rampant. Women had very few options when they found themselves without a spouse or family. For some, prostitution became a means to survive. Alcohol and drug addiction was often the result of living a hopeless, poverty-stricken life.
The actual number of Jack the Ripper victims is unknown. Most experts agree on five, all of whom were prositutes: Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Marie Kelley. Each victim's throat had been slashed and most had severe abdominal cuts and dissections. Organs from some had been removed and taken by the killer. All of the victims were murdered outdoors except for Marie Kelley, who was found in her own rented room. Each murder was committed on a holiday or weekend and in the very late night or early morning hours.
On September 27th, 1888, the Central News Agency (CNA) received a letter reputed to be from the killer. Known as the Dear Boss letter, the writer called himself Jack the Ripper, which is where the name originated. On October 1st, a postcard was sent to the CNA that was believed to be in the same handwriting. Both pieces of correspondence provide details of past crimes and crimes yet to be committed. Of all of the letters received that claimed to be from the murderer, these two are deemed the only possible authentic communications from the Ripper.
London police were ill equipped to solve crimes such as those of the Ripper. They did not have the use of DNA testing or even fingerprinting. Because of inexperience, the police tended to look for a maniac, rather than someone who fit in with the rest of the east end crowd. Unless caught in the act, it would be very difficult for police of the time to catch the murderer. Nonetheless, an extensive investigation took place with police increasing patrols, interrogating over 2,000 people, and investigating over 300. Known criminals, butchers, doctors, the mentally ill, and Jewish men were targeted.
The three main suspects at the time were Aaron Kosminski, Francis Tumblety, and Montague John Druitt. Aaron Kosminski was a barber of Polish Jewish decent. Insane, Kosminski was admitted to a lunatic asylum in 1891. Franics Tumbelty was an Irish American who was in England in 1888. He was known for his hatred of women and eccentric behavior. Montague John Druitt was a barrister and teacher who was found drowned in the Thames in December of 1888, an apparent suicide. Because of lack of proof, no charges were ever filed against any of the suspects.
Today there is much conjecture about the identity of Jack the Ripper. One idea is that he was Prince Albert Victor, a member of the royal family. According to this theory, the police were aware of his guilt, but were pressured into silence. Walter Sickert is another suspect who has gotten recent attention, however, it appears that he was not in London at the time of the murders. Another suspect with an intriguing life story is James Kelley. After stabbing his wife in the throat and being placed in an insane asylum, he escaped in 1888 and was in London at the time of the Jack the Ripper murders. He later traveled to the United States where he claimed to have committed more murders. There have also been suggestions that there was more than one killer who participated in the Jack the Ripper murders.
Considered the first modern serial killer, it is likely that Jack the Ripper's true identity will never be known.
For Additional Resources on Jack the Ripper, refer to the following sites:
- Jack the Ripper: Interesting description of 1880s London, its people, and conditions conducive to such a crime.
- Victorian Society and Culture: Jack the Ripper as entertainment.
- The Mystery of Jack the Ripper: An examination into the lives of one of the suspects.
- Dear Boss Letter: Photo of the infamous Dear Boss letter where the writer calls himself Jack the Ripper.
- Newspaper Articles: Excerpts from newspaper articles during the time of the murders.
- The Enduring Mystery of Jack the Ripper: Facts of the case from the Metropolitan Police Service.
- The White Chapel Murders: Could Jack the Ripper have been an American?
- Jack the Ripper: History, research, and photos.
- The Ripper Correspondence: A visual and nonverbal analysis.
- The Hunt for Jack the Ripper: Suspects and theories about the Ripper's identity.
- Jack the Ripper 1888: History, victims, suspects, and research.
- Jack the Ripper: A criminal profile.
