Jack the RipperJack the Ripper

Famous Serial KillersFamous Serial Killers

Dr. Kelley KlineDr. Kelley Kline

FSU-PCFSU-PC

Who was Jack the Ripper?Who was Jack the Ripper? ““Jack the Ripper" is the popular name given to a serial Jack the Ripper" is the popular name given to a serial

killer who murdered several prostitutes in the East End of killer who murdered several prostitutes in the East End of London in 1888. London in 1888.

The name came from a letter written and published in the The name came from a letter written and published in the local paper by an individual claiming to be the killer. local paper by an individual claiming to be the killer.

The killings took place within a mile area and involved The killings took place within a mile area and involved the districts of Whitechapel, Spitalfields, Aldgate, and the districts of Whitechapel, Spitalfields, Aldgate, and the City of London. He was also called the Whitechapel the City of London. He was also called the Whitechapel Murderer and "Leather Apron." Murderer and "Leather Apron."

Why is Jack-the-Ripper so infamous?Why is Jack-the-Ripper so infamous? Although not the first serial killer in history, the Ripper’s crimes Although not the first serial killer in history, the Ripper’s crimes

are legendary for several reasons:are legendary for several reasons:

1. 1. The Ripper was the first serial killer in a major city with The Ripper was the first serial killer in a major city with an educated populace. Hence, his crimes were well an educated populace. Hence, his crimes were well documented by the police and the press.documented by the police and the press.

2. The Ripper appeared during a time of political turmoil.2. The Ripper appeared during a time of political turmoil.

3. The Ripper terrified a city by leaving his grossly mutilated 3. The Ripper terrified a city by leaving his grossly mutilated victims in plain sight. victims in plain sight.

4. Finally, the Ripper was never caught adding to the 4. Finally, the Ripper was never caught adding to the mystery. mystery.

Who were Jack-the-Ripper’s Victims?Who were Jack-the-Ripper’s Victims?

It is generally agreed that the Ripper killed 5 women, but It is generally agreed that the Ripper killed 5 women, but many believe the true # to be closer to 9. many believe the true # to be closer to 9.

1. 1. Mary Ann (Polly) Nichols, murdered Friday, August 31, Mary Ann (Polly) Nichols, murdered Friday, August 31, 1888. 1888.

2. Annie Chapman, murdered Saturday, September 8, 1888. 2. Annie Chapman, murdered Saturday, September 8, 1888. 3. Elizabeth Stride, murdered Sunday, September 30, 1888. 3. Elizabeth Stride, murdered Sunday, September 30, 1888. 4. Catharine Eddowes, also murdered that same date. 4. Catharine Eddowes, also murdered that same date. 5. Mary Jane Kelly, murdered Friday, November 9, 1888. 5. Mary Jane Kelly, murdered Friday, November 9, 1888.

**All 5 victims were **All 5 victims were prostitutesprostitutes killed between August & killed between August & November 1888. It was thought each of the victims was drunk November 1888. It was thought each of the victims was drunk at the time of their murders.**at the time of their murders.**

How did the Ripper murder his victims?How did the Ripper murder his victims? He He strangledstrangled them until they died or were unconscious them until they died or were unconscious. .

Autopsies of the victims support this cause of death.Autopsies of the victims support this cause of death.

The Ripper then lowered his victims to the ground, their The Ripper then lowered his victims to the ground, their heads to his left. heads to his left.

The victims’ throats were cut on the ground as evidenced by The victims’ throats were cut on the ground as evidenced by the blood splatter patterns (pooled beside neck & head, the blood splatter patterns (pooled beside neck & head, rather than in front if body if victim had been standing). rather than in front if body if victim had been standing).

Ripper cut the victims’ throats from Ripper cut the victims’ throats from left to rightleft to right, suggesting , suggesting he was right handedhe was right handed & could flee the scene blood free & could flee the scene blood free (blood flow would be in direction opposite the killer). (blood flow would be in direction opposite the killer).

Ripper’s Modus Operandi (contd.)Ripper’s Modus Operandi (contd.)

The Ripper mutilated his victims’ in numerous ways following The Ripper mutilated his victims’ in numerous ways following the throat slashing (cutting out their internal organs, cutting their the throat slashing (cutting out their internal organs, cutting their genitalia, face, extremities, etc.).genitalia, face, extremities, etc.).

There was There was NO forensic evidence of rape or masturbationNO forensic evidence of rape or masturbation (lack (lack of semen fluid/stains; no physical evidence of forced vaginal/anal of semen fluid/stains; no physical evidence of forced vaginal/anal penetration). penetration). Note: they didn’t have DNA tests in 1888 so there Note: they didn’t have DNA tests in 1888 so there still could have been sexual activitystill could have been sexual activity that was undetectedthat was undetected. .

The Ripper took usually took a piece of the victim’s viscera (gut The Ripper took usually took a piece of the victim’s viscera (gut lining) as a memento of the murder. lining) as a memento of the murder.

**It should be noted that the killer had extensive knowledge of **It should be noted that the killer had extensive knowledge of human anatomy & may have been a surgeon or butcher. human anatomy & may have been a surgeon or butcher.

Polly Nichols- Victim #1 Polly Nichols- Victim #1 Charles Cross found the body of Polly Nichols at 4 AM Charles Cross found the body of Polly Nichols at 4 AM

on August 31. He saw the body lying on the ground near on August 31. He saw the body lying on the ground near the entrance to a stable yard. On closer inspection, Cross the entrance to a stable yard. On closer inspection, Cross saw it was a female lying on her back, with her skirts saw it was a female lying on her back, with her skirts lifted up to her waist.lifted up to her waist.

Another person on the street noticed the body as well & Another person on the street noticed the body as well & both men tried to help the woman not realizing she was both men tried to help the woman not realizing she was dead. They covered her bottom torso & went looking for dead. They covered her bottom torso & went looking for police.police.

Constable John Neil was the first on the scene. He Constable John Neil was the first on the scene. He noticed the victim’s throat had been slashed from ear-to-noticed the victim’s throat had been slashed from ear-to-ear & sent for an ambulance. The neighborhood was then ear & sent for an ambulance. The neighborhood was then canvassed for any potential eye-witnesses (none were canvassed for any potential eye-witnesses (none were found). found).

The Murder of Polly NicholsThe Murder of Polly Nichols

The victim’s throat was slashed twice & with such The victim’s throat was slashed twice & with such force that the knife cut through the esophagus & force that the knife cut through the esophagus & windpipe.windpipe.

There was very little blood on the ground, There was very little blood on the ground, suggesting strangulation prior to throat slashing.suggesting strangulation prior to throat slashing.

Abdominal mutilations were present. There was a Abdominal mutilations were present. There was a long long jagged knife wound over the abdomen long long jagged knife wound over the abdomen with several cuts running downward. with several cuts running downward.

No witnesses were found for the murder.No witnesses were found for the murder.

Annie Chapman-Victim #2Annie Chapman-Victim #2 The victim’s body was found at 6 AM an The victim’s body was found at 6 AM an

John Davis, an elderly carman. Her skirts John Davis, an elderly carman. Her skirts had been raised up to her pelvis. He sought had been raised up to her pelvis. He sought help and returned with others. help and returned with others.

No witnessesNo witnesses---Despite bustling area at ---Despite bustling area at 5:30 in area where body was found, no one 5:30 in area where body was found, no one in neighborhood heart any suspicious in neighborhood heart any suspicious activity or disturbances. No one was seen activity or disturbances. No one was seen with bloody clothing fleeing the scene with bloody clothing fleeing the scene either.either.

The Murder of Annie ChapmanThe Murder of Annie Chapman

The victim was found with her left arm lying The victim was found with her left arm lying across her left breast, with her legs drawn up, feet across her left breast, with her legs drawn up, feet resting on ground, knees turned outward.resting on ground, knees turned outward.

• • Jagged deep incision on throat cut from left to Jagged deep incision on throat cut from left to right. Cut nearly severed her head from her neckright. Cut nearly severed her head from her neck

• • Small intestines were attached, but lying on Small intestines were attached, but lying on ground on right side of body.ground on right side of body.

• • Part of stomach had been severed and placed Part of stomach had been severed and placed above left shoulder.above left shoulder.

••The uterus, ovaries, upper portion of vagina, & The uterus, ovaries, upper portion of vagina, & posterior 2/3rds of bladder had been cleanly posterior 2/3rds of bladder had been cleanly removed from the body and taken by the killer. removed from the body and taken by the killer.

Mary Kelly-Victim #5Mary Kelly-Victim #5

The victim was found on November 9The victim was found on November 9 thth in in the morning, when Thomas Bowyer was the morning, when Thomas Bowyer was sent to collect rent money. Inside Mary’s sent to collect rent money. Inside Mary’s flat was her dead, butchered body.flat was her dead, butchered body.

The Murder of Mary KellyThe Murder of Mary Kelly Mary’s murder was the most horrifying of all the murders. Mary’s murder was the most horrifying of all the murders.

••The victim’s throat was slashed with such force that the knife cut The victim’s throat was slashed with such force that the knife cut all the way down to the spinal column.all the way down to the spinal column.

••Body was on incline to left side of bed, naked, & badly Body was on incline to left side of bed, naked, & badly mutilated.mutilated.

• • The breasts were cut off & several long jagged wounds were on The breasts were cut off & several long jagged wounds were on arms.arms.

••Victim’s face was gashed in multiple directions (nose, cheeks, Victim’s face was gashed in multiple directions (nose, cheeks, eyebrows, & ears were partly removed). Lips were cut in several eyebrows, & ears were partly removed). Lips were cut in several incisions.incisions.

The Murder of Mary KellyThe Murder of Mary Kelly

••The uterus, kidney, & 1 breast were found under the The uterus, kidney, & 1 breast were found under the head. The liver was laid between the feet. head. The liver was laid between the feet.

• • The intestines were located outside of the body on the The intestines were located outside of the body on the right side, while the spleen was found outside of the right side, while the spleen was found outside of the body on the left side. body on the left side.

• • Skin tissue of abdomen & thighs were on table near Skin tissue of abdomen & thighs were on table near body.body.

The Heart had been severed from the body & taken The Heart had been severed from the body & taken by the killer!!!by the killer!!!

The Ripper LettersThe Ripper Letters It is now generally agreed by experts on this case, that It is now generally agreed by experts on this case, that

none of the letters thought to have been written by the none of the letters thought to have been written by the Ripper were in fact actually written by him. Ripper were in fact actually written by him.

A letter dated September 25 & received on the twenty-A letter dated September 25 & received on the twenty-seventh by the Central News agency was the first to be seventh by the Central News agency was the first to be signed "Jack the Ripper". signed "Jack the Ripper".

A postcard post marked October 1st followed. Since it A postcard post marked October 1st followed. Since it referred to a "double event" the police thought it might referred to a "double event" the police thought it might be from the killer since it was posted the day after the be from the killer since it was posted the day after the Ripper killed two women. Ripper killed two women.

Letters contd.Letters contd. The post card also referred to the letter & must The post card also referred to the letter & must

have come from the same source as the letter had have come from the same source as the letter had not been released to the public yet. not been released to the public yet.

If the post card had been sent on September 30, If the post card had been sent on September 30, the day of the "double event", instead of October the day of the "double event", instead of October 1, the likelihood that it was really written by the 1, the likelihood that it was really written by the murderer would be significantly greater.murderer would be significantly greater.

The police were convinced the letters were the The police were convinced the letters were the work of a journalist. work of a journalist.

Letters (contd.)Letters (contd.) One other letter was sent by the suspected killer. In mid-October, a small package was sent to One other letter was sent by the suspected killer. In mid-October, a small package was sent to

the authorities.the authorities.

Inside this parcel was half of a human kidney that the killer claimed he had removed from the Inside this parcel was half of a human kidney that the killer claimed he had removed from the 44thth victim, Catharine Eddowes. Eddowes suffered from a disease that would deform the victim, Catharine Eddowes. Eddowes suffered from a disease that would deform the kidneys, and the kidney looked deformed (consistent with her diagnosis). kidneys, and the kidney looked deformed (consistent with her diagnosis).

However, because DNA wasn’t available, there is no way to know for sure, if it was her However, because DNA wasn’t available, there is no way to know for sure, if it was her kidney. kidney.

In addition, even if it was Eddowes’s kidney, that wouldn’t prove Jack the Ripper himself, sent In addition, even if it was Eddowes’s kidney, that wouldn’t prove Jack the Ripper himself, sent the parcel & kidney.the parcel & kidney.

to know for sure if the Ripper really did send it. Most of the arguments in favor of it being from to know for sure if the Ripper really did send it. Most of the arguments in favor of it being from Jack have been based on inaccurate information and the myths rather than the facts surrounding Jack have been based on inaccurate information and the myths rather than the facts surrounding the case. However, Eddowes did suffer from Bright's disease and the description of the kidney the case. However, Eddowes did suffer from Bright's disease and the description of the kidney does match what a Bright's disease kidney would look like. does match what a Bright's disease kidney would look like.

SuspectsSuspects Suspect-#1: M.J. DruittSuspect-#1: M.J. Druitt—a barrister turned teacher committed —a barrister turned teacher committed

suicide in December 1888. It was argued by the Chief Constable, Sir suicide in December 1888. It was argued by the Chief Constable, Sir Melville Macnaghten, that Druitt was the main suspect in the murders. Melville Macnaghten, that Druitt was the main suspect in the murders. He argued that Druitt was a 41-year-old doctor who committed He argued that Druitt was a 41-year-old doctor who committed suicide immediatley after Mary Kelly’s murder and was the most suicide immediatley after Mary Kelly’s murder and was the most likely to kill the women. However, his theory was not supported by likely to kill the women. However, his theory was not supported by others and he was wrong about some of the details.others and he was wrong about some of the details.

Druitt was actually a 31 year-old man who killed himself a month Druitt was actually a 31 year-old man who killed himself a month after the Kelly murder. He was not a doctor. As of today, most after the Kelly murder. He was not a doctor. As of today, most researchers do not believe he committed the murders.researchers do not believe he committed the murders.

Suspect-#2: Severin Klosowski (aka George ChapmanSuspect-#2: Severin Klosowski (aka George Chapman), a multiple ), a multiple wife poisoner, was thought to be the Ripper. However, there was little wife poisoner, was thought to be the Ripper. However, there was little support for this theory from other officers. Modern profiling rejects support for this theory from other officers. Modern profiling rejects Klosowski as the murderer.Klosowski as the murderer.

Why do the Ripper cases remain unsolved?Why do the Ripper cases remain unsolved?

1. Its always hard to catch a serial killer. In the 1880’s 1. Its always hard to catch a serial killer. In the 1880’s with primitive technology & no real forensic science, even with primitive technology & no real forensic science, even the basics of criminology (finger printing, blood typing, the basics of criminology (finger printing, blood typing, DNA) are unavailable to the investigators.DNA) are unavailable to the investigators.

2. The Ripper attacked at times when the streets were 2. The Ripper attacked at times when the streets were largely deserted & chose victims who were usually drunk largely deserted & chose victims who were usually drunk & defenseless. & defenseless.

3. The Ripper attacked swiftly leaving little time for him 3. The Ripper attacked swiftly leaving little time for him to be caught & he didn’t get much of the victim’s blood on to be caught & he didn’t get much of the victim’s blood on him, thereby making him hard to detect. him, thereby making him hard to detect.

The FutureThe Future In the past ten years more evidence has been recovered, new information garnered through the young criminal sciences, and In the past ten years more evidence has been recovered, new information garnered through the young criminal sciences, and

serious research conducted on the mystery of Jack the Ripper than at any other time since the case was officially closed in serious research conducted on the mystery of Jack the Ripper than at any other time since the case was officially closed in 1892. After more than a hundred years the case is still fascinating, and results are still being gotten through research. Nick 1892. After more than a hundred years the case is still fascinating, and results are still being gotten through research. Nick Warren, a student of the crimes and a practicing surgeon, studied the second Kelly crime scene photograph that was recently Warren, a student of the crimes and a practicing surgeon, studied the second Kelly crime scene photograph that was recently recovered, and was able to establish that a hatchet was used by the Ripper to split one of his victim's legs! The likelihood of recovered, and was able to establish that a hatchet was used by the Ripper to split one of his victim's legs! The likelihood of the case ever being solved is open to debate. If the police solved it but for some reason kept the Ripper's identity a secret, the case ever being solved is open to debate. If the police solved it but for some reason kept the Ripper's identity a secret, then I think that the odds are good that the answer will be rediscovered. Unfortunately, I and I think most serious students on then I think that the odds are good that the answer will be rediscovered. Unfortunately, I and I think most serious students on the subject, do not think that the police did solve the case. Individual officers had strong opinions on who Jack the Ripper the subject, do not think that the police did solve the case. Individual officers had strong opinions on who Jack the Ripper was, but not the Forces as a whole. This makes the challenge much more difficult as today's researchers must find new was, but not the Forces as a whole. This makes the challenge much more difficult as today's researchers must find new evidence rather than unearth that which has been lost. The evidence lost is considerable. Virtually all of the City of London evidence rather than unearth that which has been lost. The evidence lost is considerable. Virtually all of the City of London Police files were lost in the Blitz during the last world war. What remains of the Metropolitan Police files are available to the Police files were lost in the Blitz during the last world war. What remains of the Metropolitan Police files are available to the public but the files are sparse. Some have claimed that the files were purposefully destroyed to keep the Murderer's identity public but the files are sparse. Some have claimed that the files were purposefully destroyed to keep the Murderer's identity a secret. The truth is more pedestrian and unromantic. Almost from the beginning items were removed for souvenirs. Often a secret. The truth is more pedestrian and unromantic. Almost from the beginning items were removed for souvenirs. Often in those olden days when they ran out of room, the clerks would go to the end of the shelve and simply dump out the old in those olden days when they ran out of room, the clerks would go to the end of the shelve and simply dump out the old files by the armful. When Abberline was interviewed in 1903, the journalist noted that the retired Scotland yard Inspector was files by the armful. When Abberline was interviewed in 1903, the journalist noted that the retired Scotland yard Inspector was surrounded by official files. Once, upon the death of a retired officer, a trunk full of files concerning his old cases was found in surrounded by official files. Once, upon the death of a retired officer, a trunk full of files concerning his old cases was found in his possession. Modern day "Ripperologists" were not above souvenir hunting themselves. A number of documents were his possession. Modern day "Ripperologists" were not above souvenir hunting themselves. A number of documents were taken in the late 1970s/early 1980s and as a result the remaining material was put on microfilm. It seems perfectly possible taken in the late 1970s/early 1980s and as a result the remaining material was put on microfilm. It seems perfectly possible that Jack the Ripper's identity may one day be discovered; it may be one of the serious suspects mentioned in this report, or that Jack the Ripper's identity may one day be discovered; it may be one of the serious suspects mentioned in this report, or one that the police dismissed too cavalierly all those years ago, or it may be someone completely unknown at this time. The one that the police dismissed too cavalierly all those years ago, or it may be someone completely unknown at this time. The future may or may not reveal the Ripper's name. future may or may not reveal the Ripper's name.