by Alicia Black

Created on: September 03, 2008   Last Updated: December 04, 2010

In 1888, almost a dozen, if not more, women died brutally by the hand of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel, England. At that time many immigrants were fleeing their countries to come to England. Many found themselves in a small district outside of London called Whitechapel. It did not take long before the place became over crowded and filled with poverty. Many of the women who lived there turned to prostitution as a means of income. During the year of the murders there was an estimated 1,200 prostitutes living in Whitechapel. The women who were murdered in 1888 were all prostitutes, and they were all killed the same way. It did not take long for officials to recognize it as a serial killer. In our time we have seen many deranged men and women classified as serial killers. Many have been caught and killed. Yet, one of the most famous murder stories ever told, there is still no answer to who this person was.

The bodies found were all in semi open locations. The throat was always cut. Bodies were often then mutilated to the point of missing organs. Detectives concluded that the murderer strangled the victim first. It would explain the lack of blood at the crime scene. In over three cases bodies were missing organs which gave the officers the idea that the murderer had some surgical knowledge.

There were many bodies that were found the Fall of 1888. Five women were definatly done by the same person. These women were referred to as the Canonical Five Victims.

Mary Ann Nichols was killed on August 31, 1988. She was 43 years old. Her body was found at 3:40 AM on the ground near a stable just a few yards from the London Hospital.

Annie Champman was killed September 8, 1888. She was 47 years old and was in poor health. She was found near a door in a back yard around 6:00 AM.

Catherine Eddowes was killed September 30, 1888. She was 46 years old and was missing a kidney and half of her womb.

Elizabeth Stride was also killed on September 30, 1888. She was 44 years old and was found on the ground in Dutfield's Yard.

Mary Jane Kelly was killed on November 9, 1888 at the mere age of 25. Her body was mutilated and found around 10:45AM in her bed at her house(I personally don't believe she is one of the Ripper's victims. She was very young and in her home. The other four were older and left in the open).

During this Autumn of Terror hundreds of letters were sent to the police and to the News claiming they were Jack the Ripper. Most were fake, but there were a few that caught the

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