123 Years of Jack the Ripper

2015 is the 123-year anniversary of the Jack the Ripper saga, a dark and twisted tale that has gone down in history. To mark this anniversary, we thought we would take you back to the past, with our step-by-step guide to who Jack the Ripper was, his reign of terror, and where his tale remains in culture today. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…

Who He Was

Jack the Ripper was an infamous serial killer who haunted the streets of the East End in 1888, a time often dubbed the Autumn of Terror.

During the murders, the Metropolitan Police didn’t manage to catch the murderer though they had many, many suspects; a list that is still growing today.

As a result, the Ripper’s true identity has remained hidden, which is something that has intrigued Ripperologists and amateurs for decades; a mystery that is still very much alive today…

What He Did

During his time, the Ripper took the lives of the five canonical victims, and potentially the lives of more prostitutes that roamed the streets. Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly are the five accepted victims of the Ripper, and many were thought to frequent the Ten Bells Pub; a place now ravelled in theories as to how the Ripper identified his targets.

His methods of killing were gruesome, and he was known to remove organs, one of which (half a kidney) was believed to have been sent to George Lusk. More about the Ripper’s ‘method behind the madness’ can be seen here.

Where He Is Today

Although we can quite safely say the Ripper isn’t around today, his notorious legacy lives on through various literature, media and, of course, Jack the Ripper walks, like those run by us!

A story coated in mystery and intrigue, you can find out more about one of the world’s most terrifying serial killers on one of our tours. You will become the detective and have a chance to ask questions and devise your own theory as to who you think the Ripper was.

We hope to see you soon!