Why the Whitechapel Murders Attracted So Much Attention in 1888

Why the Whitechapel Murders Attracted So Much Attention in 1888

The Ripper murders attracted lots of attention in 1888, causing

widespread panic and conspiracy. I am going to discuss the Ripper

victims, what Jack the Ripper actually did to his victims, the press

and the Victorians obsession with the macabre.

-Jack the Ripper murdered 5 woman, they were all prostitutes. Their

names were Polly Nicholls, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine

Eddowes and Mary Kelly. The 1st 4 victims were all in their late 40s,

but the last woman was only 25. They all had their throat slashed, by

a knife believed to be one inch wide and six inches long.

Polly Nicholls was stabbed in the abdomen, the incisions were deep and

caused by a long bladed knife. Annie Chapman had her stomach cut open,

and her small intestines were lying above her right shoulder, but

still attached. There was lots of blood. Some of the stomach was above

the left shoulder. Elizabeth Stride was the only woman whose body was

not mutilated. After he slashed her throat he was disturbed so had no

chance to begin the mutilations. Catherine Eddowes body was discovered

less than an hour after Elizabeth Stride. It was believed he murdered

her because his attack on Elizabeth Stride was disturbed. Her throat

was cut, her stomach ripped up and her bowels sticking out. The last

murder was by far the most gruesome. Mary Kelly’s abdomen and thighs

were cut off and her internal organs removed. Her breasts were also

cut off, and her arms and face hacked at. Her heart was missing.

Jack the Rippers modus operandi was only established several years

after the actual murders. Jack would be facing his victims. As she

lifted her skirt, he would grab her by the throat while her hands were

occupied. He strangled her until she was unconscious or dead. There

was no bruising on the victims back, which shows he lowered her to the

ground instead of dropping them or throwing them. He then slashed

their throats. Stains showed the blood flowed next to or under the