Jack the Ripper's Infamous 'From Hell' Letter
The 'From Hell' letter, allegedly written by Jack the Ripper, was received by the Whitechapel murder investigation team on October 15, 1888. This letter not only taunted the police but also included a piece of human kidney, purportedly from one of the Ripper's victims. The gruesome nature of the letter shocked investigators and the public, intensifying the fears surrounding the Ripper's identity. The police believed this correspondence offered critical insights into the mind of the killer, heightening interest in the case overall.
Letter included a kidney, heightening horror.
Written to George Lusk, Vigilance Committee head.
Taunted police over their ongoing investigation.
Heart of Ripper lore and media fascination.
What Happened?
The 'From Hell' letter was delivered to the police in London amidst the intense atmosphere surrounding the Jack the Ripper murders. Sent to George Lusk, the head of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, this letter claimed responsibility for the horrific murders that had gripped the area since August 1888. The letter not only mocked the police's inability to capture the Ripper but also included a piece of anatomy claimed to be a kidney, which Lusk believed came from Catherine Eddowes, one of the Ripper's victims. The letter was postmarked from the area of Whitechapel, adding to its credibility and chilling impact.The 'From Hell' letter carries a significant weight in the lore of the Ripper case, as it was one of the first occasions where the murderer directly corresponded with the public and authorities. The tone of the letter suggested a sinister playfulness, illustrating the psychological warfare that the killer engaged in as well as the frustration and fear that enveloped the community. The fact that the killer intimated an inside knowledge of the police's activities and failures amplified the panic among residents of London's East End, who feared for their safety in a killer’s presence that seemed to defy capture.In the aftermath of the letter’s receipt, the investigation intensified, with police hopeful that this more personal communication might lead them to the Ripper. However, the letter ultimately did not yield any substantial leads, and the identity of Jack the Ripper remained elusive. The mythology surrounding the infamous serial killer continued to grow, and the gruesome contents of the 'From Hell' letter became a centerpiece in numerous studies, discussions, and dramatizations of this unsolved case.
Why Does it Matter?
The 'From Hell' letter played a significant role in shaping the public's perception of the Jack the Ripper case. It highlighted the psychological aspect of the Ripper's crimes, combining horror with an eerie sense of taunting that shocked and fascinated people then and continues to do so today. This correspondence deepened the intrigue surrounding the case and spawned countless theories, books, and films, making it an enduring aspect of criminal history and a topic of study regarding media sensationalism in the late 19th century.