Last Name |1

Name of Student:

Name of Professor:

Name of Class:

Day Month Year:

Title

Jack the Ripper: The Serial Killer

 Last Name |2

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3

2.0 Background of Jack the Ripper ............................................................................................ 3

3.0 Significance and Importance................................................................................................ 4

4.0 The Victims of Serial Killing............................................................................................... 5

5.0 Jack the Ripper Letters......................................................................................................... 5

6.0 Jack the Ripper Suspects ...................................................................................................... 6

7.0 Evidences of the Murders .................................................................................................... 7

8.0 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 7

Annotated Bibliography .................................................................................................................. 9

Works Cited .................................................................................................................................. 10

 Last Name |3

1.0 Introduction

The basic aim of the following research paper is to present a topic with thorough analysis.

In this regard, the research topic that has been selected is about the serial killer; Jack the Ripper.

The research paper has highlighted the background of the Jack the Ripper a renowned serial

killer in the beginning of the report. Further, the significance and importance has been discussed

along with the suffering victims as an evidence of Jack the Ripper being a serial killer. Along

with this, research has also addressed the letters written by Ripper including the other evidences

that found out related the murder stories. Moreover, the report has included a brief conclusion

that summarizes the entire research paper.

2.0 Background of Jack the Ripper

The Jack the Ripper is the title given to a serial killer of all the ages due to murdering a

few numbers of prostitutes in 1888 within the core part of London East End. However, the real

name and identity of the killer are still hidden and the only thing got popular is Jack of Ripper.

It was always the case, when the victim found the detectives and police never disclosed the name

with the case. Though, the story behind this popular name is the series of letters that got

published after the murder happened at the murder scenario. Each letter itself showed the name

of the killer by written over it. The murders took place in the prime location of East End London

including the districts of City of London, Whitechapel. Aldgate and the Spitafields (Campbell M

Gold).

Above all, Jack the Ripper remained a mythic character, similar to the Frankenstein and

Dracula. The first murder took place in the Whitechapel to target the small community of

London metropolis city. However, it impacted widely across the society as a whole. Further, all
 Last Name |4

the murders took place near the Parish Church of Saint Mary, hence the killer was also known as

Whitechapel Murderer and Leather Apron (Stephen Ryder, Johnno et al).

3.0 Significance and Importance

The popularity of Jack the Ripper took place due to enormous reasons. This is because,

all the murders occurred during the time when the press was actively participating in the social

change and this field was getting more literate than before. Hence, the popularity of any of such

event took place for the first time and the stories appeared pioneer in the history of serial killings.

Similarly, Jack of Ripple also emerged during the era of political turmoil, social change and

liberals reforms along with this Irish Home rule. All the bigoted and partisans attempted to

exploit the murders and crime for their own interests and purposes (Rubinstein, William D).

In 1888, it was the most popular case that got enormous publications and attention by the

press and police. The chronicles were under continuous investigation, inquiries were taking place

and several actions were taken by the police. Even, everywhere around the world news were

spreading through the editorials, social reformers and many others about the everyday story of

the East End London. However, it has been argued by the experts, the series of murders got

popular due to ample of press coverage it gained from the media that entirely made it a new

thing. Further, another argument was presented about the murder that the press is responsible in

creating this myth about Jack the Ripper. Subsequently, this changed the image of a sad killer

into evil man and as a result he became the most romantic persons of the history for people

(Campbell M Gold).

On the other hand, the Ripper himself is also responsible for all the popularity and

seeking attention of the entire world. As per the historians, he may a sexual serial killer who
 Last Name |5

would have killed many victims secretly in early 1900s. However, Ripper exposed his dreadful

and horror acts before the world in order to create terror within the London city through leaving

the victims in entirely horrible conditions on the sight of the murder. However, in the end,

Ripper could never catch and remained a mysterious serial killer of the history. He left a mark of

being anonymous in the story as well as creating curiosity in the mystery that still people want to

resolve (Stephen Ryder, Johnno, et al).

4.0 The Victims of Serial Killing

According to Campbell Gold, the exact numbers of women murdered by Ripper are still

not clear. However, the history suggests that around five (05) women were killed by him.

Though, other argues the number varies from four, five, seven or even more. Based on the

statements of police, press and the public witnesses that Jack the Ripper murdered for nine

slayings. Nevertheless, the five women names are certain, these are:

On 31st August, 1888: Mary Ann Nichols

8th September, 1888: Annie Chapman

30th September, 1888: Elizabeth Stride and Catharine Eddowes (two murders on

the same day).

9th November, 1888: Mary Jane Kelly

However, besides these five women, there were other murders happened in those days.

According to the book written by Philip Sugden about the The Complete History of Jack the

Ripper that there are no exact numbers.

5.0 Jack the Ripper Letters

 Last Name |6

The most interesting and strange part of the serial killer Jack the Ripper was the series of

letters that the press, polices and other notable authorities received after the murder of each

woman. However, it is still unclear that all these letters were directly sent by the murderer or any

anonymous party that was providing information regarding the murders to reach to the killer.

The first letter was received by the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, Charles Warren on

24th September 1888. The letter was headed by the post of London Postmark and the title of the

letter was on her majesty service. In the letter, it was admitted that the sender (killer) has

attempted all the murders and made these crimes due to misery with nightmares (Rubinstein,

William D).

Further, the letters also included some of the pictures of the victims during the occurrence

of murders, such as the photographs of coffins, the half a human kidney and many others. Most

of the arguments suggest that Jack the Ripper was behind all these letter and sharing inaccurate

information in order to create some myths instead of giving inputs regarding the facts. On

contrary, one of the victims Eddowes also suffered from the kidney disease such as Bright that

was later on identified (Stephen P. Ryder, Johnno et al).

6.0 Jack the Ripper Suspects

The number of suspects in the case of Jack the Ripper increased to more than hundred,

most of them were highly contenders suspects in this serial killing. In early days, the police used

to believe that any murder or incident happened within the towns may lead all the doubts towards

the local gangs. Similarly, in this case, the first focus of attention was diverted towards the local

gangs of London city. However, later of the investigation, the crime investigation moved the

focus towards the medical students who have had any criminal record due to vast knowledge of

medical field to the murderer. For the investigation purpose, more than 2000 interviews were
 Last Name |7

conducted from the suspects and 80 people were detained under this case. However, the real

serial killer could not be identified even after such intense investigations (Stephen P. Ryder,

Johnno et al).

7.0 Evidences of the Murders

In early 1900s, getting the serial killer was only possible to catch the murderer on the

spot or get into the suspect that confess the crimes. Due to lack of technologies such as finger

printing tests or any other availability of the forensic science. Hence, the murders of Whitechapel

occurred during that period, the police of Metropolitan was carrying out the investigation.

However, the police along with other institutions could not find out the mystery of Jack the

Killer. At that time, several statements were taken as evidence to reach to the murderer,

photographs and letters were kept under the investigation but reaching out to the killer was one

of the challenging task. In the end, the police could not charge anyone for being suspect of the

murders committed by Jack the Ripper. This shows that the lack of sufficient and authentic

evidences to get verdict of being guilty and accused in the criminal court (Campbell M Gold).

8.0 Conclusion

As it evident from the above research that Jack the Ripper is the most mysterious case of

the serial killer in the history. Despite, having ample of evidences and suspects the police could

not identify the person and the causes behind all these murders. However, this can be said that all

these incidents happened during the time of social change, liberal transformation and the political

turmoil might be the killer is against all of these. Similarly, the murderer only wanted to seek

attention throughout the world and desired to be renowned for overall the centuries hence all
 Last Name |8

these attempts were made during the era of emerging press and media. Above all, Jack the

Ridder is still a mystery and no one could resolve it until yet.

 Last Name |9

Annotated Bibliography

Campbell M Gold. Jack the Ripper (The Whitechapel Murders) Victims. CampbellGold. 1.256

(2012).

This case book is focused on the history and background of the Jack the Ripper serial

killings. The author has provided a wide information regarding the murders including the

significance and importance of Jack the Ripper in the history. Further, the information

about the victims, letters of Jack the Ripper and the evidences collected to prove the

murders.

Rubinstein, William D. "The hunt for Jack the Ripper." History Today 50.5 (2000): 10.

This article has presented all the background and historical information regarding the

brutal murders done by an anonymous later on a title was given that is Jack the Ripper.

This article mainly discusses the letters and the Ripper Diaries to put forward the

argument. The author also identified the killer but on the personal basis. Hence, the

identity of Jack the Ripper remains a mystery; none of the other suspects is remotely

convincing.

Stephen P. Ryder, Johnno et al. Case Book: Jack the Ripple Case Book. 1-300 (1996-2013).

This report is the compilation of the previous records, facts and information of the Jack

the Ripper. In this report, the author has identified the evidences and the history of

victims. Further, the focus of the reports is over the letter and the report has also

incorporated various pictures from the murder scenarios.

 L a s t N a m e | 10

Works Cited

Campbell M Gold. Jack the Ripper (The Whitechapel Murders) Victims. CampbellGold. 1.256

(2012).

Rubinstein, William D. "The hunt for Jack the Ripper." History Today 50.5 (2000): 10.

Stephen P. Ryder, Johnno, Thomas Schachner et al. Case Book: Jack the Ripple Case Book. 1-

300 (1996-2013).