Jack the Ripper is one of the most infamous unidentified serial killers in history. He operated in London's impoverished Whitechapel district in the late 1800s, and the exact number of victims attributed to him remains uncertain. Most experts agree that Jack the Ripper is responsible for at least five murders, which occurred between August and November 1888. These five victims are known as the "canonical five" and are as follows:
- Mary Ann Nichols – murdered on August 31, 1888.
- Annie Chapman – murdered on September 8, 1888.
- Elizabeth Stride – murdered on September 30, 1888.
- Catherine Eddowes – murdered on September 30, 1888 (same night as Elizabeth Stride).
- Mary Jane Kelly – murdered on November 9, 1888.
While these five murders are commonly attributed to Jack the Ripper, there is speculation that he might have been involved in other killings or acts of violence during the same period. However, due to a lack of concrete evidence and the passage of time, these additional cases remain uncertain and have not been definitively linked to the same killer.
The true identity of Jack the Ripper has never been conclusively determined, and the case continues to be a subject of historical fascination and investigation. Numerous theories and suspects have been proposed over the years, but none have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, the mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper remains unsolved to this day.