Jack the Ripper: Case Study
By Vickie BrittonLesson 4: An In Depth Look at the Royal Conspiracy Theory
The Final Solution
After the broadcast aired, author Stephen Knight interviewed Joseph Sickert and was convinced that his story was true. Knight based his book, Jack the Ripper-The Final Solution, published in 1978, on the same premise as the television production. However Knight attempted in his book to prove the conspiracy actually existed. Joseph was reluctant to participate in the book, having agreed only to an interview.
The book, when released, created quite a sensation. It varied from the BBC version only by the identity of the third man, who Knight claimed was Walter Sickert. He tried to validate the story as a serious theory, but produced little actual evidence.
Joseph Sickert made a statement at the ending of the book that it was possible Stephen Knight was correct about his father's involvement in the murders because his father appeared to know too much about the crimes not to have been in on them first-hand. However, Joseph later stated that he had fabricated the entire story which had been the basis for the TV production and Stephen Knight's book. Knight claimed Joseph retracted his story because he had named his father as the third killer.
Annie Crook
In the course of his research, Knight was able to verify that an Annie Crook did live and had an illegitimate baby at the same time Sickert claimed she did. There is no proof the baby she gave birth to was Eddie's. Another Ripper expert, Donald Rumbelow, doubts that the location of the place where Eddie and Annie were supposed to have lived on Cleveland Street actually existed.
Dr. Gull
Though Dr Gull has been considered a Ripper suspect, he was 71 in 1888, had suffered a stroke and was severely disabled at the time of the crimes. If there is any truth to this theory, it is unlikely he could have physically committed the murders himself.
John Netley
It was rumored that John Netley wanted to kill the child as well, and Alice was chased down and stricken by a carriage. There is evidence that this did happen.
There are two stories concerning the death of Netley. In one, after striking Alice, he was chased by a crowd and drowned in the river. In another story he was run over by his own carriage in an accident that may have been rigged by the Masons, who were afraid his erratic actions would draw attention to the Masons. (See next lesson, the Masonic Connection.)
Sources:
Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution by Stephen Knight This is a very interesting book and I would recommend it if you can get a copy. I did not add it to my recommended list because it is out of print and it is difficult to find.
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