Jack The Ripper Police Letter

Words: 1716
Pages: 7

Throughout the time of the Ripper killings, hundreds of pieces of correspondence were sent to police stations and news agencies, many claiming to have been written by Jack the Ripper. These letters became a critique of both the police and the press. They were often threatening in tone, and many explicitly laughed at or mocked the police and the press. Few of the letters have survived the test of time. However, there are three significant letters from these mysterious writer(s). The very first Ripper letter arrived at the Central News Agency on September 27th, three days before the double murder. Its eerie allusions to the murders of September 30th made it important in the eyes of the police. Whether it was composed by a citizen or by the murderer, …show more content…
Then the letter says, “I am down on whores and I shant quit ripping them till I do get buckled.” This statement posits the theory that the Ripper purposely chose prostitutes as his victims due to a personal vendetta or for sexual release. One part of the letter sparked police attention after the double murder: “The next job I do I shall clip the ladys ears off and send to the police officers just for jolly wouldn't you.” Part of Eddowes ear was cut off when her body was found, and since this letter was sent three days before her murder, it displays the possibility of being written by the killer himself or by an accomplice. The letter is signed, “Yours truly Jack the Ripper.” This is the first ever mention of the name that would set aflame Jack’s …show more content…
Her body was the most mutilated of all the victims. Dr. Bond Thomas reported upon examining Kelly's body: "the surface of the abdomen & thighs was removed & the abdominal cavity emptied of its viscera. The breasts were cut off...several jagged wounds & the face hacked beyond recognition...the viscera were found in various parts...the Heart absent." After Kelly’s death, a pardon was offered to anyone who might have information leading to the capture of the murderer. Some of the police thought the killer might not be acting entirely alone. His undetected movement throughout the murders implied he might have someone hiding him or protecting him: a friend, a wife or perhaps a mother. Sir Charles Warren resigned from his position as Commissioner on November 8th, one day prior to the discovery of Kelly's body. The police reports of the murder were not very extensive; most of what is known about this murder came from press reports from The Times (further addressed in section “II. The