One of the most intriguing elements of the case was the series of letters received by the police and newspapers claiming to be from the killer. The most famous of these was the "Dear Boss" letter, signed “Jack the Ripper,” which first introduced the now-famous moniker.

This letter was sent in late September 1888, and the name “Jack the Ripper” was quickly adopted by the press and public. Other letters included the "Saucy Jacky" postcard and the "From Hell" letter, the latter sent to George Lusk, head of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, containing a piece of a human kidney purportedly taken from one of the victims.

Modern analysis suggests many of these letters were hoaxes sent by journalists or pranksters, though their effect in shaping the case’s narrative was profound.

Suspects: Theories and Controversies

Over the decades, more than 100 suspects have been proposed, ranging from local residents to famous figures. Some of the most notable suspects include:

Montague John Druitt

A barrister and teacher, Druitt was suspected due to his disappearance shortly after the last murder. Some contemporaries believed him mentally unstable, but no concrete evidence linked him to the crimes.

Aaron Kosminski

A Polish Jewish immigrant and barber living in Whitechapel, Kosminski was a strong suspect due to his violent tendencies and institutionalization in an asylum. Some modern forensic claims point to him, but the evidence is circumstantial.

Michael Ostrog

A Russian-born criminal and con man with a history of violent crimes, Ostrog was listed as a suspect by police but lacked concrete links to the murders.

Walter Sickert

An English painter, Sickert has been suggested by some modern authors, such as Patricia Cornwell, as Jack the Ripper, though these theories are highly disputed and lack definitive proof.

Prince Albert Victor

A conspiracy theory suggests that Queen Victoria’s grandson was involved or that the royal family covered up the crimes. These theories are widely dismissed by historians. shutdown123