Was it well-known that Eddowes kidney was removed?

[RivkahChaya]

Was it reported in the early articles covering the Eddowes murder that she was missing a kidney?

I'm just thinking in terms of the Lusk letter being a forgery. If it was well-known that the body was missing a kidney, then the fact that the forger chose the include a kidney for shock value (and verisimilitude) isn't so surprising. However, if it wasn't well-known, then it was either a very lucky guess, or that's a point in favor of authenticity. Or maybe it really was a journalist, or someone like that, someone in position to know a little more than the typical man on the street.

BTW, I suppose someone has already proposed Lusk himself as the forger of the Lusk letter-- you know, to make himself and his vigilance committee more important, and part of the investigation. Not saying I believe it-- it's probably better for my novel than my real-life theory-- but it's something at least worth considering, just for the sake of covering all the bases.

[Robert]

Yes Riv, the kidney was reported e.g. Times October 5th.

[RivkahChaya]

Thanks.

[Shaggyrand]

BTW, I suppose someone has already proposed Lusk himself as the forger of the Lusk letter-- you know, to make himself and his vigilance committee more important, and part of the investigation. Not saying I believe it-- it's probably better for my novel than my real-life theory-- but it's something at least worth considering, just for the sake of covering all the bases.

It an interesting idea. I remember John Douglas' The Cases That Haunt Us mentioning that Lusk had to be forced to take the letter to the police since he regarded it as a hoax. Think that's covered in The Complete History of Jack the Ripper also. Argues against Lusk being in on it being a hoax... Though if I'd written a hoax letter I'd probably wait until someone forced me to go to the cops.

[Harry D]

A shady looking guy with an Irish accent asked for Lusk's address the day before the kidney arrived. The letter was said to have an Irish dialect. It doesn't take a lot to put two and two together.