The true identity of Jack the Ripper is arguably the most famous unsolved case of all time. He was an unknown British serial killer who targeted poor, destitute women who worked as prostitutes in the slums of London’s East End, particularly the Whitechapel area.
Despite being active for just ten short weeks, and with only five official victims credited to Jack’s crimes – and Jack himself – it had a major impact on the 20th century and beyond. He gave the world a glimpse of a very dark and terrifying side of humanity, capable of causing suffering and death using the most horrific methods.
In the late 19th century, East London, and specifically the Whitechapel district, was an impoverished part of the city ravaged by disease, crime, murder and death. Many women are forced into prostitution to survive and are often vulnerable to beatings and murder. In 1888, however, a series of gruesome murders rocked London, and eventually the rest of the world.
From August 31st to November 10th, five women, Mary Ann Nichols, Anne Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Edovis, and Mary Jane Kelly— Also known as the “Typical Five” – found murdered and mutilated. They were prostitutes who had their throats pierced, their abdomens slit open, their genitals pierced, or parts of their bladders, vaginas, and wombs removed and taken away, possibly as souvenirs.
The dismemberment worsened with each murder, rendering his last victim, Mary Jane Kelly, almost unrecognizable due to the extreme stabbing and evisceration.
The public panic is understandable. Police are still clueless as there appears to be no motive for the killing. However, based on the similarity of the homicides, they were certain it was a man.
An extensive manhunt ensued, but he was never arrested. Almost everyone is a suspect, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers – even Queen Victoria’s grandson, Prince Albert Victor. But none of them were found guilty.
So who is Jack the Ripper? And why did the killing suddenly stop and the Ripper seem to disappear without a trace? There are still many unanswered questions in this case in 1888, and 134 years later, there are still no answers.
His mystique remains, as the untold truth of his identity torments and captivates us. Not knowing who he is keeps everyone guessing. Jack the Ripper was a real and terrifying man. In the meantime, he will remain anonymous, forever an elusive shadow beyond our reach.
Directed by: David Wångstedt
