by M.Vega

Created on: April 04, 2009   Last Updated: April 05, 2009

No one really knows who the serial killer of the late 1800's was. He was given the name of Jack the Ripper , due to a letter written by a person claiming to be the killer. Jack the Ripper is a classic case of "Who dunnit"

In the late 1800's in the Whitechapal section of London, England, there was a murderer ready to unleash havoc on the city. The targeted group was prostitutes. It is said that Jack the Ripper had some sort of knowledge of anatomy, due to the fact that three of the victims organs were removed. At the crime scenes there was always a lack of blood. It is also thought the the murderer strangled his victims first before cutting their throat.

The London police began their investigation in 1888, with no avail for Jack the Ripper was never apprehended. While questioning prostitutes, the police came up with a suspect only known as Leather Apron.

The first murder occurred in August the 31st 1888. The body of Mary Ann Nichols was discovered in front of a gated stable entrance. Her throat was cut, the lower part of her torso was ripped open ,she had several other incisions throughout her body.

The body of Annie Chapman was discovered on September 8th 1888, near a doorway in a the back yard. As with the first murder, her throat was cut. Her abdomen was open, her intestines were pulled out and laid across her shoulders. Unlike the first victim, he removed her uterus and part of her bladder. A few feet away from her body, lain a folded and wet Leather apron.

The body of Elizabeth stride was found on September 30th 1888, on the ground in Dutfield's yard. Her throat was also cut. Due to the fact that there was mo mutilation to her body, there is speculation of another murderer and that her murderer might have been interrupted during his attack.

Catherine Eddowes body was discovered on September 30th 1888, she was found in Mitre Square. As with the other murders, her throat was cut and her abdomen was torn open, she was missing her left kidney and major parts of her uterus. She was killed the same day as the previous woman.

Mary Jane Kelly was found on November 9th 1888. This time the victim was murdered in her own room. Her throat was also cut, her organs were missing and her heart was taken by the killer.

The man known as Leather Apron was captured on September 10th. Though, through interrogation, he provided alibis for the nights of the murders and was therefore ruled out as the murderer. He had the opportunity to clear his name publicly at the inquest of Annie Chapman.

Jack the ripper was never caught, there is theory that he might have used underground sewage tunnels for his escapes. The man who committed all of these horrific crimes, was still walking the streets of London.

Learn more about this author, M.Vega.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.