In 1888 the streets of London were filled with terror as a chilling series of murders were committed by an unidentified killer. The victims met an untimely and grisly death at the hands of Jack the Ripper whose identity still remains a mystery to this day.
There is some dispute over the total number of murders that were committed by the Ripper, it is widely accepted that he committed at least 5 murders, with some people believing there were up to 9 victims.
Dark Street in London, UK
The typical victims of the Ripper were female prostitutes who worked in London’s slums. The Ripper would slit their throats before mutilating their bodies and removing organs, suggesting that he could have had some surgical knowledge.
Because of the sheer brutality of the murders and the mystery surrounding them, the case has continued to remain of great interest to many even to this day. The term ‘ripperology’ has even been coined, referring to the study of the murders.
The five murders that are widely agreed to have all been committed by the ripper occurred between 30th August 1888 and 10th November 1888. The victim’s names were Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly.
There were other murders committed around the same time and during the years that followed, but they did not always have the same characteristics as these 5 so it is unclear which victims belonged to the Ripper and which didn’t.
The true story of Jack the Ripper is a sinister part of the history of London and still fascinates many. There are many experts that have studied the case in detail. A lot of the old streets and areas in London from this period remain almost unchanged and it is possible to retrace the Ripper’s steps throughout his reign of terror.
Taking a specialist Jack the Ripper guided tour around London can transport you back to the Victorian era and let you relive the chilling tales of the Ripper’s horrific attacks. You can visit the crime scenes first hand and relive the terror that the people of the time felt as you listen to the details of the murders from experts that have studied the case in detail.
