Jack the Ripper

Jack the Ripper: Basic Information

Unidentified serial killer who was largely active in the impoverished areas of London, England

Was never caught and tried, but a number of suspects have been tried and convicted

Especially active in the Whitechapel district in 1888

His name originated in a letter by someone claiming to be the murderer

Other nicknames that were given include: The Whitechapel murderer Leather Apron

Rumored suspects(total: 28)

Montague John Druitt Born August, 15 1857 – Early

December 1888 Dorset-born barrister who worked as

an assistant schoolmaster in Blackheath, London

Some modern authors suggest that Druitt was homosexual

Both his mother and grandmother suffered mental health problems, because of this he was in fact teased as a child. Especially by young women

It is possible that he had an underlying hereditary psychiatric illness

Seweryn Kłosowski alias George Chapman

Born December, 1865 – April 7, 1903

Polish Immigrant that moved to London shortly before the start of the murders

Before moving to England, he was a serial killer in Poland

Known as the Borough Prisoner Worked in the Whitechapel

district as a barber Was Enrolled to a course of

practical surgery at the Warsaw Praga Hospital

Took several mistresses, who often posed as his wife, three of whom he successfully poisoned to death

Mary Spink Bessie Taylor Maud Marsh

Dr. Thomas Neill Cream Scottish-born serial killer

Claimed his first proven victims in U.S, England, and possibly Canada and Scotland

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Cream was raised outside of Quebec City, Canada

Attended McGill University and studied medicine and surgical practices

Married Flora Brooks whom he impregnated and almost killed over an abortion

Famous last words before execution on November 15t, 1892: “ I am Jack the …”

Motives and Rituals No known motives/most suspects were

in fact deemed insane Attacks typically involve London

prostitutes from the slums Most attacks were performed after dark Attacks were done in “secluded” areas Number of victims remains unknown

Throats were slashed open suggesting the weapon of choice was a knife.

Throats slashed prior to mutilations Removal of Internal Organs led to

proposals that the killer had anatomical or surgical knowledge.

Canonical five Mary Ann Nichols

Body found Friday August 31, 1888. Throat was severed deeply by two cuts Lower part of the abdomen partly ripped

open, along with several other inscisions Annie Chapman

Body found Saturday September 8, 1888 Throat was severed deeply by two cuts Abdomen slashed entirely open; several

organs were missing Elizabeth Stride

Body found Sunday September 30, 1888 Throat was severed with one clean cut Authorities suggest the mutilation was

interrupted Catherine Eddowes

Body found Sunday, September 30, 1888 Killed an hour after Stride Abdomen was completely slashed open Two internal organs were removed

Canonical five (Continued

Mary Jane Kelly Body discovered Friday, November 9, 1888 Throat severed down to the spine Abdomen emptied of all its organs The heart was missing Face had been hacked away

Why are serial killers so difficult to catch?

Able to blend in Stalk and gain the trust of their

victims Hide behind a constructed façade of

normalcy Able to stimulate normal behavior

by observing others Manipulative act/entice people to

their act Most psychopaths have a role of

authority

Organized Show of planning, premeditation in an effort to prevent detection The body is usually hidden from plain sight Restraints have been used Evidence is missing as well as the murder weapon Scene reflects control

Disorganized Frenzied assaults Victim is selected at random Murder is where the encounter took place Murderer uses the materials at hand

Mixed Crime Scene Shows characteristics of both disorganized and organized Indicate the presence of two offenders Planned attack, but was interrupted

Atypical Classified by the evidence available Decomposed remains of the victim Compared to other scenes

The crime scene

Other Pieces of information Its amazing how well a serial killer

can blend in How serial killers are able to gain the

trust of anyone they meet It makes me question the people

around me How well serial killers cover up their

tracks How well they can keep their

psychopathic traits hidden