Jack the Ripper: Case Study

Introduction

The mysterious case of Jack the Ripper is by far the most notorious murder of all times. Jack the Ripper is the name given to the most infamous serial killer in history. The Ripper terrorized the Whitechapel district on the East side of London, England in 1888. This frightening period is often referred to as the "Autumn of Terror." The known murders took place from between August 31 to November 9, all in the same area. Jack was responsible for the deaths of at least five women, all of them prostitutes.

Jack the Ripper was the first serial killer to gain high-profile media attention. He was never caught. Over 100 years later, people are still intrigued by his heinous crimes and are still offering suspects and theories as to who committed these ghastly murders.

This course will begin with an overview of the actual crime. It will start with a description of the five victims and give insight into the living conditions of the Whitechapel district. A study will be made of the three main suspects at the time of the murders. The course will also cover the initial investigation and key evidence: the writing on the wall and the three letters believed to be authentic Jack the Ripper letters.

The course will continue with a look at popular Ripper theories. The theory that Jack the Ripper might have been a mad doctor or an insane midwife will be explored and evidence will be offered to back up these theories. An in-depth look will also be taken at the Royal Conspiracy and an effort will be made to sort fact from fiction.

Many Ripper suspects didn't emerge until much later. In 1992, a diary was found in which John Maybrick confesses to being Jack the Ripper. The course will explore whether or not the diary was a hoax.

The last part of the course will be devoted to a study of Patricia Cornwell's recent novel, Portrait of a Killer--Jack the Ripper: Case Closed. The evidence to support her theory will be explored as well as a discussion of the modern forensic techniques Cornwell used to try to crack an old case.

The course will be divided into eight sections:

1. The Setting, Crimes, and Victims
   The course will begin with a general introduction. Who was Jack the Ripper? Who were his victims? Several witnesses claimed to have sighted Jack the Ripper and gave similar descriptions. The course will go into the conditions and social climate of Victorian England at the time of his crimes. The Whitechapel district and a brief sketch of his victims will be described as well as the details of the murders of Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Kelly.

2. The Investigation, Evidence, and Original Suspects
   In the second lesson, the evidence will be explored. Of the hundreds of Ripper letters received, only three are believed to be authentic: The Boss, Saucy Jacky and From Hell. This section will be devoted to the principal investigators and the three initial Constable MacNaghten suspects: Kosminski, Ostrag & Druitt.

3. A Host of Ripper Suspects and Popular Ripper Theories
   In the third lesson, a closer look will be taken at the man known as the "American Suspect", Francis Tumblety, and several other likely candidates. Theories will also be explored such as the idea that the Ripper may have been a mad doctor, a deranged midwife, a mysterious lodger.

   Or was Jack the Ripper more than one person? Some even believe that a Royal Conspiracy existed that involved the royal family and Prince Eddie, and a sensational cover-up to prevent a royal scandal.

4. An in-depth look at the Royal Conspiracy Theory
   In this section, a closer look will be taken at the Royal Conspiracy Theory. Rumors abounded that Prince Eddie had secretly married a prostitute, Annie Crook, who was carrying his baby. To avoid a scandal, Annie was supposedly locked away in an asylum.

   Mary Kelly, who had worked as a nursemaid to the prince and his wife, may have attempted to blackmail the royal family. Jack the Ripper was created to silence Kelly and the others she had told. Where did this theory originate? Many elements of the theory come from a fiction-based novel. An attempt will be made to sort fact from fiction.

5. An examination of the Maybrick Diary
   In 1992, a man named Michael Barrett came forth with a diary supposedly penned by James Maybrick. In the diary, Maybrick, a wealthy cotton broker who died in 1889, confeses to being the Ripper. Could there be any truth to the diary, or was it a hoax?

6. A look at Pat Cornwell's book: Was Walter Sickert Jack the Ripper?
   In this lesson, Pat Cornwell's case for artist Walter Sickert will be examined. Details of his life and personality will be explored. A look will be taken at his controversial paintings and will be compared to details of the Ripper crime scenes.

7. Using Forensic Evidence to Solve Old Crimes
   What techniques did Cornwell use to come to her conclusion that Walter Sickert was Jack the Ripper. Was her evidence conclusive? In this section we'll go over the pros and cons of Cornwell's theory.

8. Jack the Ripper: A Comparison to Contemporary Serial Killers and Course Wrapup
   "One day men will look back and say I gave birth to the 20th Century", reads a quote from the Jack the Ripper "From Hell" letter. In this final lesson the profile of a serial killer will be applied to Jack the Ripper and a comparison will be made between his crimes and those of contemporary serial killers Ted Bundy and the Zodiac Killer. The course will end with final thoughts and reflections about the Jack the Ripper case. Additional resources for learning more about Jack the Ripper will be offered.

Questions that will be explored during the course include but are not limited to:

• Why did Jack the Ripper target prostitutes?
• Why weren't the police able to capture him?
• Were there other victims besides the known five?
• How is he similar to Ted Bundy and contemporary serial killers? What did the quote from the From Hell letter, "One day man will look back and say I gave birth to the 20th Century" mean?
• Could there be any truth behind the Royal Conspiracy theory?
• Was Pat Cornwell right in her conclusion that Walter Sickert was Jack the Ripper? Does that mean the case is closed?

Lessons

Click here to see course syllabus