Jack the Ripper terrorized London in 1888 by killing and mutilating at least five women in the East of London. The serial killer was never captured, and the identity of Jack the Ripper remains a mystery to date!

Five women were murdered between August 7 and September 10, 1888, in or around the Whitechapel district of London’s East End area. All of the murders, attributed to Jack the Ripper, took place within close proximity of each other.  

Just as the mysterious Stoneman of Kolkata, Jack the Ripper remains elusive even after more than a century.

Victims of Jack the Ripper

Several murders that occurred between 1888 and 1892 have been allegedly attributed to Jack the Ripper, but only five are considered to be canonical – Mary Ann Nicholls (on 31 August), Annie Chapman (on 8 September), Elizabeth Stride (on 30 September), Catherine Eddoweson (on 30 September), and Mary Jane Kelly (on 9 November). 

Modus Operandi of the killer

All the women murdered were prostitutes, and all barring one were mutilated badly. In each case, the victim’s throat was cut, and the body was mutilated, indicating that the killer had some knowledge of human anatomy – Probably a doctor or butcher.

Physical abuse against prostitutes was common, but the gruesome nature of these murders strongly suggested a single perpetrator.

Jack the Ripper Mocked the Police

London Metropolitan Police Service received a series of taunting letters about grisly murders from a person who called himself, Jack the Ripper, the purported murderer. 

Numerous letters followed that ridiculed the police and dropped hints about the upcoming murders, though most of them later turned out to be a hoax. 

Once, the police received a letter, datelined “from hell”, with which was enclosed a human kidney, supposedly ripped out from one of the murder victims. 

Despite exhaustive investigations, the perplexed police could not identify or nab the killer.  

Speculations about Jack the Ripper’s Identity 

Numerous theories, speculating the killer’s identity, have been floating around for more than a century. Here are the prominent suspects claimed by the numerous theories – 

Prince Albert Victor (Duke of Clarence), Queen Victoria’s grandson – British author Stephen Knight claimed the murders were orchestrated by the royal family to safeguard Prince Albert who had fathered a child with an East End Woman. Stephen did not offer any evidence and his claims were discredited by the experts. 

Sir William W. Gull, the personal physician of the queen, as per Stephen Knight, was a part of the royal conspiracy to carry out the killings to protect the monarchy.

Aaron Kosminski, a Polish barber known to have mental health issues, was behind these murders. Yet again, no evidence was found.

Francis Tumblety, a quack doctor who held a collection of human organs and reportedly abhorred prostitutes. No evidence was found against him as well. 

Montague John Druitt, once wealthy but going through hard times, was regarded as a maniac. This claim, like earlier ones, could not stand the test of evidence.  

Seweryn Klosowski, a known poisoner, but he was not believed to be a stabber and mutilator.

Walter Sickert, a famous British painter whose works focused on sensuality and violence. Strangely, he even titled one of his paintings, “Jack the Ripper’s Bedroom.” However, the claim could not be linked with any evidence.

John Pizer (Leather Apron), a Jewish cobbler, known for wearing a leather apron. The allegation, reportedly, was directed to him for being a Jew. 

Since 1888, more than 100 suspects have been named, but none of them could be charged in the absence of definitive evidence. 

The Ripper murders have inspired numerous books, television series, and films. The Ripper enthusiasts have created a separate discipline altogether which is called “Ripperology,” specializing in research and theories behind the mysterious murders.

Jack the Ripper remains unidentified to date, turning him into one of the world’s most mysterious and notorious criminals.

Source: nationalgeographic.com, History.com