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The year 1888 remains as one of the darkest chapters in the history of London. Just within a short space of time in the East End, a series of murders shocked the public, filling newspaper headlines and becoming one of the world’s greatest unsolved mysteries.

Known as the Autumn of Terror, the series of events within this period still fascinates historians and crime enthusiasts today.

The story of the Autumn of Terror in 1888 is closely linked to the name Jack the Ripper, a killer whose identity has remained unknown. Even after 130 years, people still continue to explore the streets of Whitechapel searching for answers.

Whitechapel in 1888

Before the beginning of the Whitechapel murders, the area was known as one of the poorest areas in Victorian London. People lived in overcrowded streets, with crime and poverty all on the rise within this region.

It was in this very setting that fear would spread across the East End during what became known as the Autumn of Terror.

The First Murders

The violence associated with the Autumn of Terror and Jack the Ripper started off during the summer of 1888. On 31 August, Mary Ann Nichols was found murdered in Buck’s Row. Her death rattled the local residents and put terror and intrigue into them, making people feel unsafe when they were out, while being invested in the news to find out more.

A week after, on 8 September, Annie Chapman was murdered in Hanbury Street. The similarities between the two murders led the investigators to suspect that the killer was the same for both cases.

The news spread fast, and fears continued to grow throughout Whitechapel, with newspapers closely following the case.

The Double Event

The night of 30 September 1888 was one of the most critical dates for the Jack the Ripper case. Within a short space of time, two women, Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes, were both murdered.

This murder became known as the “Double Event”, with panic spreading all across Whitechapel. Patrols were increased, and so were the public demands for answers.

The Final Canonical Victim

On 9 November 1888, Mary Jane Kelly was murdered in her room in Miller’s Court. Her death is often seen as the final murder among the canonical victims linked to Jack the Ripper.

After Kelly’s death, the series of killings connected to the Autumn of Terror appeared to end, but the mystery was only just getting started.

Beyond the Canonical Five

Whilst many link the Autumn of Terror with the five canonical victims, the Whitechapel murder file held other women whose deaths have also been linked to the mystery murders. Historians who study the cases question whether these crimes were connected to Jack the Ripper or whether they were completely separate from the case and brutal murders that happened during the same time.

Two earlier deaths before the murder of Mary Ann Nichols had raised alarms in Whitechapel. Emma Smith had been attacked in April 1888, and she died from her injuries not long after. Her death was the first case in the Whitechapel murder file, often viewed as a grim run-up to the events to come.

A couple of months later, Martha Tabram was murdered in George Yard. Researchers today believe that her death marked the true beginning of the Autumn of Terror. Though she is not included with the canonical five victims, her name is closely connected to the Jack the Ripper case. You can book your tour today and visit the area where she was killed and the evidence that surrounds her case.

Further deaths after Mary Jane Kelly continued to happen, including those of Rose Mylett, Alice McKenzie, and Frances Coles, keeping the mystery alive.

Public Fear and Newspaper Coverage

One of the reasons why the Autumn of Terror in 1888 remains famous is the large newspaper coverage. Papers would publish witness statements and theories about the killer’s identity, all along with detailed reports.

The name “Jack the Ripper” became known around the world after letters supposedly sent by the murderer were shared with the press. The case became one of the first major media crime stories, capturing public attention on a very large scale.

Discover the Story for Yourself

Today, visitors come to the streets connected to the Autumn of Terror and the Jack the Ripper story. The locations where these murder events took place continue to bring people in from around the world.

You can choose to explore the real locations, hear all the evidence, and learn about the stories behind the suspects and victims. Our tour allows you to walk through Whitechapel with a guide who offers you an opportunity to experience Victorian London and gain an understanding of events that shaped the Autumn of Terror.

For readers who want to walk the actual streets, visit the murder locations, and examine the evidence surrounding both the canonical victims and the wider Whitechapel murder file, the Jack the Ripper Public Tour offers an immersive journey through the events that created the legend of the Autumn of Terror.

Join the Jack the Ripper Public Tour today.