This week, I round out the discussion of the victims of Jack The Ripper.
Mary Kelly was the youngest of the victims. She's also the one we know the least about. Her origins are obscure, but her death is infamous.
WARNING: Listener discretion is advised. I read a large portion of the autopsy report in this episode. In the words of Dr. Praetorious, "Well, we warned you."
As always you can listen to the show on the site. Or, you can download from archive.org
Remember to vote in the Halloween Reading Poll The poll is in the left panel. The choices are... 1. The Hound--H.P. Lovecraft 2. My Own True Ghost Story--Rudyard Kipling 3. Lot 249--Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 4. Dracula's Guest--Bram Stoker
So far, it's a three day tie between The Hound, Lot 249, and Dracula's Guest.
Videos of the Week Morrissey sings...well, you know.
I won't go Emo on you...maybe just this once.
NEXT TIME: Alvin Schwartz's SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK
In this episode you will hear the tragic stories of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes--both of whom were killed on the same night, only blocks apart. Their deaths came to be known as the Double Event, and have influenced Ripper-lore to this day.
WARNING: Listener discretion is advised.
Podcaster's Note: Correction--The Dear Boss letter is often regarded as the first correspondence from Jack The Ripper. In this week's episode, I claimed the Saucy Jack postcard was the first. By the timethis episode was recorded, it was too late to rectify the innacuracy.
As always, you can listen to the show here. Or, you can download from Archive.org
They were the crimes that shocked a nation and defined an era. Partly truth, and partly legend, the story of Jack the Ripper has fascinated and terrified the public for over one-hundred-and- twenty years. The identity and motive of the killer remains a mystery. All that is known for certain is that five women (that we know of) lost their lives in the autumn of 1888.
This episode begins a series of retellings of the lives and deaths of the so-called Canonical Five victims of Jack The Ripper. Their killer was never brought to justice. Their stories are often ignored. The mythos of Jack the Ripper has been romanticised in countless novels, films, and television programs. These dramatised accounts normally focus on the deeds and possible identity of the killer. The names of the victims often become plot devices in a murder mystery for entertainment. Instead, I offer an alternative with these following episodes. I present to you the tragic lives of those who perished under the knife of history's most infamous killer.
In this episode: The lives of Polly Ann Nichols and Annie Chapman.
LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
While I have taken great care in the writing of this episode, I could not be true to the story of this case without being somewhat graphic. What you are about to hear are depictions of real death taken from coroner's reports and other sources.
As always, you can listen to this week's episode here, or download from Archive.org
PODCASTER's NOTE: I would normally include photos or drawings of those I talk about in an episode. However, since the only photos I could find were disturbing morgue photos, I decided not to. If you want to see them for yourself you can visit one of my sources Casebook.org (just click the text). It is of historical note that many of the victims were not photographed prior to their deaths. Tasteful artist conceptions of them in life are rare. As I was unable to find any prior to the posting of this episode, I have decided to refer listeners to resources where post mortem photos can be found. WARNING--view at your own risk. Some of these photos are very graphic.
Videos of the Week Technically not a video. Still, it's Motorhead playing Jack the Ripper From the album: March or Die The Trailer for Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper (Video Game)
