Jack The Ripper Biography

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Thursday, September 27, 1888. The Central News Agency receives a mysterious letter that reads,“Dear Boss, I keep hearing the police have caught me, but they won’t fix me just yet. I have laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the right track. They joke about the leather apron gives me real fits” (Sharkey 64). This small portion of a letter was written by the infamous Jack the Ripper. Jack the Ripper is one of the world’s most famous serial killers who has still yet to be unmasked. Since the Ripper’s reign of terror, many people have devoted themselves to discovering who was Jack the Ripper. They call themselves Ripperologists. And yes, it’s a legitimate thing. The man behind the distorted facade of Jack the Ripper is either …show more content…

Aaron Kosminski was a Polish Jewish barber who has “a great hatred toward women, especially the prostitute class” and “strong homicidal tendencies” (Selwood). Kosminski showed symptoms of Schizophrenia, Paranoia, Delusion and Incoherency (“Aaron Kosminski”).In addition,Kosminski was put in a mental hospital until his death in 1919 (Newton 19).Thereafter, Russell Edwards obtained a shawl, it belonged to Catherine Eddowes: the DNA matched relatives of both the victim and Kosminski when the DNA was tested (“Jack the Ripper Biography”;Siciliano). With this evidence, it’s hard to think that Kosminski wouldn’t be the Ripper. Finally, Chief Inspector Donald Swanson and Dr. Robert Anderson, both strongly suspected Kosminski (Selwood). Without a doubt, the circumstances surrounding Kosminski’s case seem quite …show more content…

However, Joseph Barnett has the most motive and he might’ve known the other victims since his roommate, Mary Kelly, was a prostitute. Even if neither Kosminski or Barnett are indeed Jack the Ripper, whoever he was is “a pathetic and loathsome human being” (Drabelle). Before the murders of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes, Jack the Ripper sent out a letter stating,“I am down on whores and shan’t stop ripping them until I do get buckled. Grande work, the last job was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can they catch me now? I love my work and can’t wait to start again. You will soon hear of me and my funny games. The next job I shall do I [sic] shall clip the layads [sic] ears off and send them to the police, just for jolly, wouldn’t you? Jack the Ripper”(Sharkey