Who was Jack's first murder poll!

[Uncle Jack]

I would be really interested to hear the theories from the 2 posters who voted for Emily Horsnell. Care to share?

[sdreid]

I'd be interested in that as well.

[sdreid]

Are both the votes for "Another" for a sort of generic unknown?

[Emma Peel]

Hi Stan,

For Jack the Ripper Id say Mary Ann Nichols. For the Whitechapel Murderer, rather Murderers,... Id say Emma. I think the "gang" that killed Emma is indicative of some types that were prevalent in the area, and independently they probably account for most of the 13 or 14 murders that are often suggested as possible Ripper crimes.

Some nasty types in there 2....maybe a Butcher, a Baker, or a Torso maker.

Cheers

p*ss off

[sdreid]

Does anyone think that Jack may have murdered before 1886?

[DVV]

I think Millwood did die as a result of the attack. Doctors in 1888 knew less about medicine than an EMT knows now.

Hi Stan,

I too think Millwood died as a result of the attack, but the problem wasn't medicine.
As noted, Dr Arthur, who had discharged her as cured, conducted the post-mortem...

Whatever, if it was Jack and if he intended to murder her, it wasn't a great achievement... And in March, he also failed to kill Ada Wilson.
Therefore (since there is no murder for which he could be suspected in 1887) I think he didn't kill until 1888.

Amitiés,
David

[sdreid]

Perhaps it could have been a cya David.

It looks like at least 3 people think that there is a murder from 1887 that he could have committed.

[Barnaby]

If it can be agreed upon that Chapman and Eddowes were killed by the same hand who we call Jack the Ripper, it is interesting as to how differences between these and the Tabram murder now appear to be explained away whereas differences in the Stride murder appear to be emphasized. I'm not being critical; I just think it is an interesting intellectual shift.

[Uncle Jack]

Possible victims before 1887 are Emma Jackson, Harriet Buswell, Catherine Mellows. I find them extremely unlikely though.

[j.r-ahde]

Hello you all!

An intriguing question!

I think, that all we can say, is, that Polly Nicholls was the first known victim!

All the best
Jukka

[DVV]

Hi Jukka,

I have little doubt that the murder spree started in 1888, and little doubt that Nichols wasn't the first victim.

Most of serial killers start killing before one can recognize a distinct MO.

Amitiés,
David

[j.r-ahde]

Hello David!

And that's exactly, why I said, that Polly Nicholls was the "first known" victim!

All the best
Jukka

[sdreid]

I guess if thought Jack's first murder was an unknown then that would be a vote for "Another".

[Lord Lucan]

Martha gets my vote and I honestly can't tell you why aside from the feeling I've always had that she was the first.

[Adam Went]

Definitely going to go with Martha Tabram. It just doesn't wash with me that Jack decided out of the blue, with no criminal or violent past at all, to go and start mutilating women in the way he did with the Canonical 5.

I think he probably had a history in petty crime - specifically assaults and disorderly's - and that Martha then became his first actual murder victim. The 39 stabs indicates a frenzied attack based on the senselessness of the number of stabs and where they were located.

If you include Martha in the list of victims, (and exclude Liz because although I believe her killer was JTR, I also believe he was interrupted before mutilating the abdomen) there is a very clear pattern of rising brutality throughout the series, as his confidence and experience improved, peaking with the savagery of the MJK murder.

Cheers,
Adam.