How old?

[Mascara & Paranoia]

Just thought it'd be interesting to see how old you guys thought Jack the Ripper was at the time of the murders.

For me, I'd say around 36. I honestly don't know why but I always pictured him to be around that age.

What do you think?

Sorry if there's already been a discussion about this.

[Ben]

Hi M&P,

A number of witnesses (perhaps even the majority) described a man of around 30, so that would be my bet.

[Hellrider]

I think I've read the serial killer profile that most people accept as being relatively preicse says that white serial killers are usually between 16 and 36 years of age

[BLUE WIZZARD]

how old

Just thought it'd be interesting to see how old you guys thought Jack the Ripper was at the time of the murders.

For me, I'd say around 36. I honestly don't know why but I always pictured him to be around that age.

What do you think?

Sorry if there's already been a discussion about this.

36 sounds good, not too old and not too young.

[Suzi]

An odd question- but as you ask............I don't recall any under tens! and I don't recall any over eighties in the serial killer world (no doubt they may lurk somewhere!)

IMHO I would place The Whitechapel Murderer as between 25 AND 45 Probably towards the top end of that....Pushed I'd say about 38..........ish!!!! *

That all aside-

Trouble is he was more than likely just some grubby chap furtling around the streets of Spitalfields- who was known and trusted by his victims- Now who he/she was, or what profession he/she may have had, is open to a LOT of threads and discussion!!!

*This would of course depend on your personal 'image' of the Ripper M & P


Suzi
Of course- witnesses can take a guess at age that can be years out- especially from younger witnesses who have an odd appropriation of age....'Oh he/she was old'....probably meaning over 30! Odd how this happens- but true

[Mascara & Paranoia]

I'm very open minded about Jack. I still envision him to be in his thirties, but I definitely wouldn't rule out someone as young as their early to mid twenties.

I definitely think he was a local man who was just as shabby as the rest of the populace, and one who we'll sadly never know the identity of.

I reckon it's likely he was the man who Lawende saw (if only he had seen Kate's face we would've almost certainly had known!). That's the thing about this case; there's so many coincidences and people having just missed him or just not enough proof. Whoever Jack the Ripper was, he was one hell of a lucky bloke.

[Suzi]

Hi M & P-
Withought a doubt a local who was in a position of trust- well at least as far as the victims were concerned
Suzi

[Mascara & Paranoia]

I'm not sure he necessarily would've been in a position of trust, but telling them what they wanted to hear and acting inconspicuously to get them to go with him willing was a certainty.

[Suzi]

I will never be convinced that at that point in the 'Autumn of Terror' that any woman would have disappeared down a dark (or not ) alley with anyone they didn't know or trust

[Mascara & Paranoia]

Well, they would've had to do their business somewhere, right? And there was still scores of working ladies who were plying their trade even with the Ripper scare, so I think Jack was just lucky.

[Suzi]

Nope can't agree with that one
No offence!

[Mascara & Paranoia]

That's cool, I think it's good to have different opinions. xD

So what kind of person do you think Jack was then?

[Sam Flynn]

"I really don't know, Basil - perhaps he was twelve"

(Fawlty Towers, The Psychiatrists)

[Suzi]

Just DON'T call in Mr O' Reilly !

[Limehouse]

ARTHUR: Old woman!
DENNIS: Man!
ARTHUR: Old Man, sorry. What knight lives in that castle over there?
DENNIS: I'm thirty seven.
ARTHUR: What?
DENNIS: I'm thirty seven -- I'm not old!
ARTHUR: Well, I can't just call you `Man'.
DENNIS: Well, you could say `Dennis'.

(Monty Python and the Holy Grail)