On the night of September 30, 1888, the notorious serial killer known as Jack the Ripper murdered his third and fourth victims, Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes. Stride's body was located in Dutfield's Yard, near the bustling area of Berner Street in London's East End. She had been killed shortly after 1 a.m., and remarkably, there were no signs of the gruesome mutilation that characterized Ripper's previous murders. Just over an hour later, Catherine Eddowes was found in Mitre Square, a short distance away; her body displayed severe mutilations and organ removal, emblematic of the Ripper's increasingly sadistic methods. Both women were believed to be sex workers, a reflection of the socio-economic conditions of the time that left many vulnerable in London's poorest boroughs.

The investigation into these murders became a critical point in the notorious Ripper case. The timing and location of both murders, committed within such a brief span, drew intense media attention and public fear. Newspapers sensationalized the narrative, creating an atmosphere of terror in London's East End as police struggled to identify the killer. The two murders prompted heightened police surveillance and investigative efforts, yet they continued to elude capture, solidifying the Ripper's infamous status and leading to countless theories surrounding his identity.

The repercussions of the killings were societal as well. They elevated the plight of women in vulnerable occupations and catalyzed discussions on the socioeconomic issues facing London's poorest districts. Additionally, the Whitechapel murders contributed to the emerging field of criminal psychology and forensic science. The aspect of having a 'murder hunter' sparked public fascination and debates over the efficacy of law enforcement methods at the time. Consequently, London was engulfed in fear, while police and government officials faced mounting pressure to apprehend the elusive murderer.