Júlia Cabistany
Clàudia Luna
JACK THE RIPPER Nayara Ruiz
BACKGROUND
Jack the Ripper is one of London's most famous murderers. His murders
began in August 1888 and ended on November 9th of the same year. There is
some information that we will provide based on him, his possible place of
residence, and about his personality.
METHODOLOGY
Jack the Ripper only murdered prostitutes. The first thing he did was cut
their throats, then cut their faces, the abdominal area and finally the genital
area. In his first killings he was milder, but in his last killings he was more
aggressive, taking out the intestines and disfiguring the face.
VICTIMS
They are known as the canonical five
“The first victim” Polly Nichols. The murder occured on the 31st of August in
Buck Row. Polly died from a severed throat but it was not the only damage
done to her body, it also pierced her vertebrae, slashed her abdomen and
finally she had two minor injuries to her genital area.
Annie Chapman, died on the 8th of September in Hanbury Street, in a
courtyard at 5am. The death wounds were similar to Polly's. In this crime,
body position is important, Annie had her head facing the door, which was
the only entrance and exit.
The double event was two murders that occured on the 30th of September.
The first victim was Liz Stride. She died at 12.45am in Dutfield's Yard. The
only thing he did to her was cut her throat, he fled because he was almost
caught in the act of killing. The important thing about this crime is that they
got to see him for the first time. He was described as a man of white
complexion, approximately 30 years old, 1'70 m, with dark hair and a brown
moustache, wearing a cap and a black jacket.
One hour and one kilometre later, the second crime takes place. Catherin
Eddowes died at 1:30 a.m. in Mitre Square. Her death was more aggressive,
he mutilated her face, tore his organs from his abdomen and as usual cutting
the throat. This crime is important again because he is seen for the second
time.
He is described as a man of white complexion, about 30 years old, 5'10", with
a brown moustache, wearing a grey cap, a jacket and a red scarf. Same
appearance, different clothing.
The last victim was Mary Jane, she died on the 9th of November in her room
at Miller's Court. This is the worst death of all, she died from a severed
throat, after he disfigured her face by almost tearing it off. Finally he
dismembered the corpse and spread the organs around the room.
It recently emerged that a murder case that happened before Polly's death
was linked to Jack the Ripper. The girl's name was Martha, she was about 30
years old and a prostitute. At the time he was not associated with him
because it was said that he used a different methodology. He stabbed him 39
times in the chest and genitals. Normally Jack the Ripper would kill from
behind but this time it was from the front and that's what made them not
link him. But nowadays it is said that he may have learned, as this murder
was the first of many.
LETTERS
During the time of Jack the Ripper's murders, police, media and local
officials received a flood of letters that made Jack the Ripper the first "media
serial killer".
It is not known exactly how many letters were received in Whitechapel at the
time of the murders but it is said to have been more than 700 letters.
Jack the Ripper always wrote in ink and blood, but also using a different
handwriting and making many spelling mistakes.
Although the vast majority of the letters are believed to be forgeries, three
stand out:
Dear Boss Letter
The Dear Boss Letter, which was dated on the 25th of September, was received
by the Central News Agency on the 27th of September 1888, the same day as
it’s postmark.
Though initially viewed as a prank, the Dear Boss Letter quickly gained
attention after Catherine Eddowes' murder on the 30th of September.
In the letter, the author mentioned the clipping off of his next victim's ears.
Eddowes was found with one earlobe severed.
Saucy Jack Postcard
The Central News Agency received the Saucy Jack Postcard on the 1st of
October 1888, the same day as it’s postmark.
The Saucy Jack Postcard makes mention of a “double event“, which was
obviously in reference to the murders of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine
Eddowes, both of which occurred the morning of September 30th.
From Hell Letter
The From Hell letter is arguably the most disturbing and noteworthy of the
three most prominent Jack the Ripper messages. This is mainly due to how
the letter arrived… inside a small box, accompanied by half a human kidney.
Coincidentally, Catherine Eddowes' killer had removed one of her kidneys.
The letter, postmarked 15th of October, was received by George Lusk, head of
the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, on the 16th of October 1888.
POSSIBLE AUTHOR
Albert Victor is Queen Victoria's grandson. He is a possible author because in
the army he gets syphilis and it is a reason to hate prostitutes. He is rejected
because in some murders he was not in London.
Walter Sickert was a painter obsessed with crimes. He was accused because
his portraits were very similar to the crime scene. He was eliminated as a
suspect because he was in France at the time of the double murder.
James Maybrick wrote a letter claiming to be Jack the Ripper. On analysis it
turns out that the letter dates from after the Victorian era.
Francis Tumblety was an American healer. He was a possible suspect
because he was seen assaulting a prostitute and because he also collected
uteruses. He ended up fleeing to America.
Aaron Kozminski, was the most likely suspect. He lived in Whitechapel, had
a violent background, was discreet, and a family man. He had medical
records where he claimed to hear voices and have paranoia. He was
eventually locked up in a mental institution for attempting to attack his
sister.
