[donmeaker]

It was Colonel Peacock, in the library, with the Candlestick!

[ought-six]

I heard about something very similar many, many years ago. That is, that JTR was actually a German or Dutch sailor who was himself later killed in America.

[Darteaus94025]

Isn’t it the guy who tried to kill Connor MacLeod?

I mean, there can only be one.

[colorado tanker]

Wow, that would take yellow journalism to a new level.

[a fool in paradise]

Based on previously undiscovered evidence, a theory has emerged that Jack The Ripper was REALLY the Loch Ness Monster.

"Is it BULLS&!# or NOT?!!!"

[ClearCase_guy]

So, Jack the Ripper didn't exist, because he didn't wear a top hat, and his name was Carl Feigenbaum.

Did I get all that right?

[FredZarguna]

The story has been told in many books and movies over the years, including 2001’s From Hell, which starred Johnny Depp as Jack.

About ten seconds of search at IMDB, or, having actually seen the movie, pretty much calls into question the quality of this writer's research skills.

Depp was NOT Jack; he played the good guy, Inspector Frederick Abberline.

*** MILD SPOILER ALERT ***

The interesting plot twist in the film centers around the actual identity of Jack, and the motivation for killing prostitutes, one of whom was a Roman Catholic. It's a theory developed in several of the other Ripper "histories," and it's actually not too bad.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Another writer, about 40 years ago, concluded that the murders were actually botched abortions of prostitutes.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

The only reason Jack the Ripper (1888) has any notoriety today at all is because he was the first “media” serial killer—he sold LOTS of newspapers. At the time, Fleet Street in London was the concentrated newspaper capital of the world.

The timing was also excellent because inexpensive crime novels were all the rage. Sherlock Holmes had debuted the year before.

It was a time of tremendous social change.

[CrazyIvan]

First Santa Clause, then the Easter Bunny, now this. I don't know what to believe anymore.

[EveningStar]

ping

[Oatka]

Marriott said some of the murders were likely committed by Carl Feigenbaum, a German merchant seaman

"I'm not a butcher, I'm not a Yid,
Nor yet a foreign Skipper,
But I'm your own light-hearted friend,
Yours truly, Jack the Ripper."

[Revel]

Hitler didn’t exist either...According to some.

[Comrade Brother Abu Bubba]

Dear Boss,

Eight little whores, with no hope of heaven,
Gladstone may save one, then there'll be seven.
Seven little whores beggin for a shilling,
One stays in Henage Court, then there's a killing.
Six little whores, glad to be alive,
One sidles up to Jack, then there are five.
Four and whore rhyme aright,
So do three and me,
I'll set the town alight
Ere there are two.
Two little whores, shivering with fright,
Seek a cosy doorway in the middle of the night.
Jack's knife flashes, then there's but one,
And the last one's the ripest for Jack's idea of fun.

I do a bit more work, then give it out straight.
My knife's so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get a chance.
Good Luck, catch me if you can.
Yours truly

Jack the Ripper

[Jack Hammer]

A thousand writers with a thousand ‘theories.’ Take your pick; no one knows for certain.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

Depp played a Scotland Yard detective in the movie. The writer dropped the ball on that.

“Jack the Ripper” was coined by a newspaperman in a phony letter. However, there was another letter sent to the police with one of the kidneys from a victim.

The analysis of the victims showed common threads such as surgical skill in removing organs and that they were removed by a left-handed individual.

The White Chapel killer did exist. However, the identity has never been confirmed. I suspect it was either a butcher, a veteranarian or a medical school trainee/doctor, or some other person of training and experience with scalpal like instruments.

[discostu]

Depp wasn’t Jack in From Hell, Ian Holm was Jack.