Martha Tabram mortuary photo - enhanced

[Jdombrowski89]

Excellent job Chris,

Are those some of the stab wounds on her right cheek?

Regards,
Justin

[Shelley]

That looks like a board to me behind Tabram's head, given the creases in the ( what looks like a blanket) cloth it looks as she is placed lying down, had she been upright there wouldn't be any creases in the cloth.

[ChrisGeorge]

Superb work, as usual, Chris.

Can we discuss something here? I'm in two minds. I have a feeling it's possible we view this image the wrong way and she's actually flat on a board, not upright.

PHILIP

Hello Philip

We are probably misled because we have in mind the image of Catherine Eddowes pinned up against the wall (apparently) and think of the other mortuary photographs the same way. Although it makes sense for the bodies to be laying flat. The other aspect though is that you would presumably the photograph upright to give some semblence of how the women looked in life.

Chris

[Chava]

Thanks Chris for doing that! Her tongue is swollen and protruding slightly between her teeth. Strangled first? There isn't a mark on her face or neck that I could see.

[Sam Flynn]

I dont know anything about cranial wounds could you please inform me?

Killeen's inquest deposition, cited by Sugden: "Upon opening the head he [Killeen] had found an effusion of blood between the scalp and the bone. The brain was pale, but healthy...".

[Mitch Rowe]

Mitch,

Who said anything about Martha stealing money? You seem to have made an assumption and now wonder why the photo doesn't match your assumption.

In any case, if what we were told by Perly Poll has any basis in fact, she had been drinking immoderately that night. Further, she had one serious sub-cranial head injury that may have rendered her semi-concious if not fully unconscious so a lack of a struggle or defensive wounds may well be understandable.

Don.

I dont know anything about cranial wounds could you please inform me?

The stealing money was an assumption made by others. If Marthas body falls some-one heard it. If she was hit on the head then it was probably a soldier.

[Supe]

Mitch,

Who said anything about Martha stealing money? You seem to have made an assumption and now wonder why the photo doesn't match your assumption.

In any case, if what we were told by Perly Poll has any basis in fact, she had been drinking immoderately that night. Further, she had one serious sub-cranial head injury that may have rendered her semi-concious if not fully unconscious so a lack of a struggle or defensive wounds may well be understandable.

Don.

[Mitch Rowe]

And there isnt a mark on her face? It dont make sense?? If Martha was killed because she stole money it must have been a hefty sum because if it were for revenge it must have been planned. If not planned then we should see signs of an argument and a struggle I would expect the guy to try to get his money back first. In the worst case scenario the guy just walks up to her and says "Youve stolen my money for the last time you fat cow." and then stabs her in the heart. Even then Marthas body falls. The people must have heard or seen something. It seems like they are lying.

[diana]

Hair not Dissarranged

I am fond of wearing my waist length hair up. So I think I can speak with some authority about this. Martha must have been overpowered and killed very rapidly. Unless someone at the mortuary redid her hair. It is still pinned up. No straggling strands, not one lock pulled out of place. Not much of a struggle I would say.

[iris84]

Nice work!

Is that a sealed wound on her throat? Dark line, just above the cloth? Might be something else, but not on a computer, so can't get too good a look.

[thewastelandr]

Wonderful work on the photo. It is very difficult to see any neck wounds here.

By the way, Chris, you have a wonderful voice to listen to on Rippercast. It's a delight to hear you.

[Cap'n Jack]

'The one thing that was counting against it is how her jowl falls. If she's that double-chinned when flat, imagine how portly she would have looked when upright!'

Nice one, George.
I would imagine the biggest problem in her life was not her jowls but the fact that she had been stabbed 39 times by a maniac.
You are quite portly yourself when upright, are you not?

[aspallek]

Not that it really makes any difference whatsoever but I believe Martha is lying flat on her back. She appears to be covered with a blanket or tarp which would not remain so tightly about her shoulders were she vertical.

[George Hutchinson]

It would certainly suit her hair as well. The one thing that was counting against it is how her jowl falls. If she's that double-chinned when flat, imagine how portly she would have looked when upright!

PHILIP

[Stephen Thomas]

I agree that she seems to be lying horizontal

Hi Chris

A excellent renovation job there.