Did Mary know her killer?

[Harry D]

Apart from in a Biblical sense, that is? What reason(s) do we have to believe that Mary Kelly knew the identity of her murderer that fateful night?

[Wickerman]

In discussions on this aspect there is confusion on what is meant by "know".

Knowing her killer as it would apply to Barnett, or knowing her killer as it would apply to a previous client?
Then it may also apply to someone from her past, like Joe Fleming.

As opposed to a complete stranger who she had never met before.

[GUT]

Or know like Mrs Maxwell knew [or perhaps thought she knew] Kelly?

[RockySullivan]

Would the ripper have risked mutilating Kelly the way he did if someone outside had the key and could come in at anytime? Kelly didn't have a key, neither did her landlord, it is somewhat logical that the ripper might've had the only key, and if so then he knew Kelly, unless he got it thru a thrid party or stole it.

[c.d.]

In discussions on this aspect there is confusion on what is meant by "know".

Knowing her killer as it would apply to Barnett, or knowing her killer as it would apply to a previous client?
Then it may also apply to someone from her past, like Joe Fleming.

As opposed to a complete stranger who she had never met before.

Yeah, this comes up over and over again and people think it could be incredibly significant but we always have to ask knew how? It could run the gamut from lover to someone she met that day.

c.d.

[c.d.]

Would the ripper have risked mutilating Kelly the way he did if someone outside had the key and could come in at anytime? Kelly didn't have a key, neither did her landlord, it is somewhat logical that the ripper might've had the only key, and if so then he knew Kelly, unless he got it thru a thrid party or stole it.

Hello Rocky,

Mary could have invited him in so that no key was necessary. As far as performing the mutilations, I think he was willing to take his chances as far as being disturbed figuring the likelihood was small and that if it did happen he could brandish his knife and be out the door before anyone could react.

c.d.

[RockySullivan]

Hello Rocky,

Mary could have invited him in so that no key was necessary. As far as performing the mutilations, I think he was willing to take his chances as far as being disturbed figuring the likelihood was small and that if it did happen he could brandish his knife and be out the door before anyone could react.

c.d.

Does the time spent in the room indicate the ripper knew Kelly's schedule well enough to know no one would be coming in that time frame. Mary could have invited him yes, but he's taking a great risk if her boyfriend/roomate/landlord /friend could drop in at anytime. He's trapped in a lock room unlike some of the other ripper murders were he has some means of escape. If he had the key he might be sure no one could get inside (however the broken window pokes a hole in that somewhat). It's strange the McCarthy's guy came to check on Kelly when she hadn't paid rent in so long, they choose that morning to check up on her?

[c.d.]

Hello Rocky,

I think it was a reasonable assumption that no one would be coming by late at night and even if they did they most likely would knock. If there was no answer they would probably assume she was with a client and simply go away. He also could have used something to block the door and prevent anyone from entering.

c.d.

[c.d.]

I forgot to add they he also could have asked Mary if she was expecting anyone that evening. Regardless, we know he was willing to take his chances.

c.d.

[RockySullivan]

That's true cd, makes it all the more that strange bowyer peaked thru the window that morning. Kelly was six months
Late on rent....and McCarthy decided to collect only a few hours after shes literally ripped to pieces. Would landlords typically collect rent on a holiday like lords mayors day? Why let her slide so long and then send bowyer that morning. If bowyer had come early would he have seen the ripper? Is it possible bowyer did interrupt the ripper and that's when he left while bowyer ran for help...

[c.d.]

Hello Rocky,

It was six weeks not six months. I don't see anything suspicious in what McCarthy did nor apparently did the police.

c.d.

[RockySullivan]

Hello Rocky,

It was six weeks not six months. I don't see anything suspicious in what McCarthy did nor apparently did the police.

c.d.

6 weeks sorry. Do you think it's suspicious that McCarthy didn't own a key to his building and needed to break the door down with an axe? Despite what the incorrigible police may or may not find suspicious, I certainly find it suspect that the owner of a building wouldn't have a key to his own room.

[Michael W Richards]

If you base your response to this question solely on the available evidence you would be compelled to pre-suppose a personal relationship of some kind. The evidence points to either Blotchy remaining and doing the deed, or someone coming in after he leaves and killing her...after she willingly lets him enter the room sometime after 3am. Either way, its a known man to Mary as the felon.

The physical evidence shows some rage elements previously unseen in Canonicals, and the circumstantial evidence has her in the company of the man she comes home with or a man she willingly lets in.

My bet is on the other "Joe" Mary was seeing behind Barnetts back....a man she says "treats her badly" from time to time to a friend....

Cheers

[c.d.]

Hello Michael,

What rage elements are you referring to? Is it really possible to look at Kate's mortuary photos and conclude that there is no way she would have ended up looking like Mary if only her killer had more time?

c.d.

[c.d.]

Mary is simply Kate with the killer having more time.

c.d.