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- Jack the Ripper Killed More Than Five Women
- The Killings Were Sensationalized by the Media
- The Killer Was First Referred to as Leather Apron
- An American Doctor Is a Top Suspect for Many
- The Infamous Killer Could Have Been a Schoolteacher
- A Polish Immigrant Has Also Long Been a Top Suspect
As a seasoned researcher who has delved into the dark recesses of history, I can confidently say that the case of Jack the Ripper continues to enthrall and puzzle us. The latest episode I watched shed new light on some intriguing suspects, each with their own shadows and secrets.
As a follower, I’m thrilled to be part of the crowd captivated by Netflix’s fourth season of Unsolved Mysteries. This series, boasting a remarkable 90% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, keeps me hooked with its intriguing blend of real-life mysteries and unexplained phenomena. The newest season takes us on a journey that starts with an in-depth exploration of one of history’s most notorious cold cases: the enigmatic Jack the Ripper. Over the past 138 years, this elusive murderer has left an enduring mystery in modern history, inspiring countless stories across books, movies, and television. Despite popular imagery of a tall-hatted figure lurking on London streets, we’re still unsure about what Jack the Ripper truly looked like.
In this first installment of Netflix’s series, they take a new look at the case, focusing on four primary suspects and presenting novel ideas that contradict previous beliefs about Jack the Ripper. This notorious murderer struck fear in London during 1888, claiming at least five lives — often referred to as “unfortunates” — in the Whitechapel district. The episode delves into the gruesome details of each victim’s death before asking the most intriguing question: Who was Jack the Ripper?
Jack the Ripper Killed More Than Five Women
Based on investigations depicted in the episode, detectives probed into 11 murders in the Whitechapel region from April 1888 to February 1891, with suspicions that Jack the Ripper had more than five victims. However, historians recognize only five women as the “canonical five” victims of Jack the Ripper. These are Mary Ann “Polly” Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly. Martha Tabram, another suspected victim mentioned in the Whitechapel murder files, was also stabbed multiple times but is not typically included among his known victims.
The Killings Were Sensationalized by the Media
In the episode of ‘Unsolved Mysteries’, they delve into the role of media attention surrounding the case. Starting from the 1870s, the press and influential authors like Charles Dickens shaped a notorious image of London’s East End as a breeding ground for crime and wickedness. This image piqued the curiosity of the affluent, leading them to explore the Whitechapel region through ‘slumming tours.’ When the murders started in 1888, newspapers intensified their coverage of the Jack the Ripper case, fueling fear and sparking global interest, thereby attracting more wealthy onlookers.
Due to the police’s unwillingness to disclose information, reporters took matters into their own hands by exploring the East End, interviewing potential witnesses, and even identifying suspects. These investigations, as depicted by historians in the episode, contributed significantly to the myth of Jack the Ripper but also blurred the true facts of the case.
One reason the “Dear Boss” letter supposedly sent by someone claiming to be Jack the Ripper, and mailed to London’s Central News Agency, is generally considered a fake is because there have been numerous theories regarding the murderer’s identity. Although the actual killer was never found, these theories span from immigrants to members of the royal family. The television show “Unsolved Mysteries” presents some of the primary suspects to its viewers.
The Killer Was First Referred to as Leather Apron
In the episode of Unsolved Mysteries I’m referring to, the first individual under scrutiny goes by the moniker “Leather Apron.” This enigmatic character, it seems, was allegedly causing trouble for sex workers in Whitechapel during the time of the gruesome murders. Following the discovery of the first victim, Polly Nichols, on August 31, 1888, the police force zeroed in on this shadowy figure. The find of a leather apron near the scene of the second murder only served to heighten the suspicions surrounding him.
Over time, a man called John Pizer was detained on suspicion that he might be “Leather Apron,” but eventually, he was freed due to a solid alibi and absence of incriminating proof. The case against Pizer serves as an example of the difficulties confronted by the police during that era – managing with limited forensic science, operating within the constraints of public anxiety and pressure.
An American Doctor Is a Top Suspect for Many
In the episode, they also explored an intriguing hypothesis linked to Dr. Francis Tumblety, an American physician present in London during the murders. Tumblety was a contentious figure due to his misogynistic opinions and peculiar conduct, with tales of him preserving jars of uteruses from surgical operations on women in his office. This grisly aspect mirrors the character of the Ripper’s crimes, as the victims appeared to have been mutilated in a way that suggested some medical expertise.
Tumblety was taken into custody over the Whitechapel murders in November 1888, but he was later granted bail and departed for the United States. His exit from London at that particular time coincides with the unexpected absence of the murderer, fueling speculation among some that this American physician might have been Jack the Ripper. This timing adds another layer to the enigma surrounding his case.
The Infamous Killer Could Have Been a Schoolteacher
Another individual under scrutiny in the series is Montague John Druitt, who held roles as both a barrister and schoolteacher. His dismissal from teaching, in November 1888 – right around the time of the last Ripper murder – was shrouded in mystery. A month later, his lifeless body was discovered in the Thames, leading many to believe he had taken his own life. However, Assistant Chief Constable Melville Macnaghten proposed in a memo that Druitt’s family suspected him as the Ripper due to rumors of his sexual instability, which might have driven him to such atrocities.
Nevertheless, this theory has its weaknesses. Chief Inspector Frederick Abberline, the lead investigator, harbored doubts about Druitt being the culprit, as there was no definitive proof connecting him to the crimes. The idea that Druitt was the Ripper is primarily based on circumstantial evidence and the coincidence of his demise.
A Polish Immigrant Has Also Long Been a Top Suspect
The main character under investigation in the episode is Aaron Kosminski, a Polish Jewish immigrant who resided in Whitechapel and was notorious for his unpredictable actions. In 1890, Kosminski was confined to an asylum following an altercation with his sister involving a knife, and he stayed institutionalized until his passing in 1919. Assistant Chief Constable Melville Macnaghten pointed him out as a potential suspect due to his misogynistic leanings and past struggles with mental health issues.
In 2014, author Russell Edwards suggested finding DNA evidence that connected Kosminski to one of the Ripper’s victims. However, this evidence has been questioned because of concerns about the shawl’s potential contamination where the DNA was found. Regardless of these claims, it remains unproven whether Kosminski is guilty, and the enigma surrounding Jack the Ripper continues to baffle us.
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2024-08-12 03:31