A question that has continued to haunt generations for hundreds of years, the mystery of Jack the Ripper might just be one we have to leave unsolved. While we might never be completely certain who the man behind the murders was however, we have a great deal more insight into the crimes than ever before. With an ever-shortening list of suspects, getting to the bottom of the crimes is as close as it’s ever been. We will never know for sure, but these suspects all have a strong case against them.
- Sir John Williams
(source: the-line-up.com)
Working as the royal obstetrician at the time of the murders, Sir John Williams had a lot going against him. With a working knowledge of human anatomy, the medical professional would have certainly been capable of performing the kind of organ removals present in a number of the cases. While Williams wasn’t put to trial at the time, subsequent research has suggested that the person behind the killings was using his suspect in order to explore female infertility. The claims have been somewhat disreputed but Williams still remains a high profile candidate.
- Thomas Neill Cream
(source: abc.net.au)
A convicted murderer, Thomas Neill Cream is reported to have practically admitted his guilt for the killings. After being found guilty of poisoning a number of prostitute during the 1860s, Cream was put on trial and sentenced to be hanged. Just before the trap in the gallows opened, the suspect reportedly cried “I am Jack the “, before being cut off. Whether it was an admission of guilt or a cry for attention, we will never know.
- Sir William Gull
(source: artuk.org)
There are a number of shreds of evidence against Sir William Gull, a high profile and popular suspect in the Jack the Ripper case. The first piece comes from William Lees, a psychic Queen Victoria hired to get to the bottom of the case. According to fact, Lees held a séance to discover the identity of the killer, fleeing the scene after discovering that it was Gull. Later evidence has since been gathered based on an anonymous letter sent to police at the time. Researchers believe that Gull was the one behind the writings, although nothing has ever been proved.
- Montague John Druitt
(source: cricketcountry.com)
Perhaps an unlikely case, Montague John Druitt could be as close as we ever get to the real killer. A licensed doctor, Druitt disappeared around the time of the last Ripper killing, only to turn up days later, floating dead in the river Thames. There were already allegations against Druitt’s sanity, and the Inspector on duty at the time believed that he could have been guilty.
- James Maybrick
(source: liverpoolecho.co.uk)
A wealthy cotton trader, James Maybrick is believed to have confessed to being Jack the Ripper. After discovering one of Maybrick’s personal diaries, scrap metal merchant Michael Barrett revealed how the trader went on a killing spree after finding out his wife had been unfaithful. The diary also added that “I give my name that all know of me, so history do tell, what love can do to a gentle man born. Yours truly, Jack the Ripper”.