Focus Question - Who was Jack the Ripper?
Jack the Ripper is the popular name given to the unidentified serial killer whom victimized prostitutes and terrorized the Whitechapel district in London's east end from August to November, 1888. This criminal was also referred to as the Whitechapel Murder and Leather Apron.
The name Jack the Ripper originates from the 'From Hell' letter which was published at the time of the murders. This letter written by someone claiming to be the killer, signed "Yours truly, Jack the Ripper".
The Ripper remains one of the worlds most infamous criminals through his crimes, suspected identities, letters, effect on society and legacy.
The name Jack the Ripper originates from the 'From Hell' letter which was published at the time of the murders. This letter written by someone claiming to be the killer, signed "Yours truly, Jack the Ripper".
The Ripper remains one of the worlds most infamous criminals through his crimes, suspected identities, letters, effect on society and legacy.
Crimes
Jack the Ripper is related to a string of murders victimizing prostitutes within the east end of London. These killings took place within a mile area; encompassing the districts of Whitechapel, Spitafields, Aldgate and London.
Jack's slayings are infamous as the crime scenes were a glory tableau of brutalized bodies; perversions of the human form. The Ripper also became known as a collector who claimed organs as trophies.
Jack's slayings are infamous as the crime scenes were a glory tableau of brutalized bodies; perversions of the human form. The Ripper also became known as a collector who claimed organs as trophies.
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There are historically eleven 'Whitechapel Murders' however only five of these are officially credited to Jack the Ripper, these are respectively known as the canonical five; Mary Ann Nichols, Elizabeth Stryde, Annie Chapman, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly.
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Suspects and Theories
The identity of the infamous Jack the ripper has been hotly debated over time with over 100 suspects named; some of these suspected identities include famous names. Many theroies exist in relation to the identity of the ripper, some more advanced than others however none of them have been proven to be indisputably convincing and some of them are near impossible to find fact in.
At the time of the murders a suspect could be named if they had a link with contemporary documents or any other remote connection to the case however many suspects were not considered in the initial police investigation. |
There are two central theories surrounding the identity of the ripper;
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