Clues about Jack the Ripper: His Identity Revealed
By: Janis Adams
Clues about Jack the Ripper have been few and far between. But more and more conjectures have been made as the years fade into decades since he was at large.
He never left a clue to his personhood, he was elusive and his name elicits fear, fascination, and a certain fandom to this day. This is because he was the first serial murderer to captivate and terrorize a city. The mystery around him made him all the more fascinating. In fact, the only clue he ever divulged about himself was the name he gave himself.
Jack's Letter
On September 27, 1888 a missive written in red ink – possibly even splattered with blood – arrived at the Central News Agency (London) at their London offices. Gloating and arrogant, taunting and facetious, the letter flaunted the murders which had been committed and promised more to come:
The letter was signed simply, Jack the Ripper.
No Clues Left Behind-- Intentionally
Even with the arrival of the signed letter, Jack the Ripper was elusive because, while he left clues that spoke of each of the women he slaughtered, he left no clues, no way to trace the murders back to himself. Jack the Ripper was extreme to the point of creating the nearly perfect murders. He was meticulous and methodical.
It was these characteristics of his technique of bringing about the death of each of the women that caused many involved with the investigation to believe that he was either a surgeon or a butcher.
He knew his way around the physical body of a being. His cuts were precise and neat and intentional. There were no slips or near misses, every stab and jab was intended and masterfully executed.
Why Jack the Ripper was a Smooth Criminal
While his murders were most certainly sensational, there was nothing remarkable or memorable about him as a person. He blended in with society, he did nothing to stand out. This man moved about the streets without recognition or even notice. Maybe, he was even known by the women whose lives he ended.
Had he stood out, had he been so arrogant to make any small part of himself physically known or recognizable he would have likely been caught.
But, no. He had an agenda. Jack the Ripper set about his work of ridding Whitechapel of women who sold their bodies. He was on a mission, intentional and well-executed.
Clues about Jack the Ripper & the Suspects
Conjectures were made, as to who could possibly carry out these heinous crimes. At the time, the five most likely suspects were: Montague John Druitt. Carl Feigenbaum. Aaron Kosminski. Francis Craig. Walter Sickert.
Details and alibis, misinformation and subtleties all caused these men to walk away without conviction.
As time has passed, centuries and then decades, more information has leaked in dribs and drabbles, much like a slight blood spot that subtly reveals some detail. True crime enthusiasts still want to pin the murders on the true suspect. The enigma remains and dwells in London trailing through the streets and through the minds of many.
Conclusion
With all that said, all those facts laid out, can you be the one to solve the five known murders? Can you piece together the information that no one else can? Can you be the hero who brings the case to a close?
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