Ripper Live

2.00pm

In Whitechapel 1888, a discovery is being made at the site of the last murder. Detective-Inspector Chandler is at Hanbury St. Chandler has called at the house to make a plan of the back premesis for the use of the coroner at the inquest. A little girl comes up to him and tells him she's found some blood. She leads him to the back yard of 25 Hanbury. On the wall and the garden path are the marks of blood. It immediately realise it is the trail of the murderer. There is a blood trail suggesting the killer climbed the fences between the yards of 29, 27 and into the garden of 25. A further splatter against the wall seemed to indicate the murderer had beaten his blood-stained clothing against the wall. The police expand their examination of the nearby years and over in the yard of a packing-case maker, another discover is made.

2.15pm

A crumpled piece of paper, saturated with blood as if used to wipe hands, was probably thrown into the yard. It is assumed the murderer's original intention was to leave by the front door/passage of the house in which he killed Annie. But perhaps seeing a noise or light inside, made his escape via the yards and gardens down the backs of the houses instead. And, stopping in number 25, took a moment to tidy himself, wipe his hands on discarded paper and brush blood from his coat. This theory is supported by the fact that absolutely no traces of blood have been found at number 29, except near the victim. It would otherwise seem incredible, given the "work" the killer did, and suggestion he took organs away, that he left no trail. But a second opinion is being asked for, and not everyone is quite so convinced as to the nature of these marks. That's all for now from 1888. Come back at 7pm to see if there's been any breakthrough in the case.

7.00pm

SIGNIFICANT ARREST IN WHITECHAPEL. Wed 12th Sept 1888 sees the apprehension of a man who police have high hopes is their man. Jacob Isenschmid, known as the Mad Pork Butcher had lately been telling women he was Leather Apron. But the real Leather Apron, John Pizer, was released yesterday without charge, with his alibi being corrororated. But this new man, Jacob Isenschmid, who came to light on Monday after his landlord became suspicious, looks to be the man. Prone to fits of madness, he had a habit of sharpening knives and had disappeared from his lodgings after the last murder. A man matching his exact description was seen, blood-stained and panicked, in a pub just hours after Annie's murder. The arrest of this lunatic foreinger (released from the alylum a few months before the outrages began) is a breakthrough. However, having been taken to Holloway police station today it soon became clear that it wouldn't be so easy to tie up the case. Jacob Isenschmid has today been judged insane and will be taken to the Islington Workhouse. Police hope this ends the killings. Perhaps not the ideal conclusion for the public, as there will be trail for this lunatic. But at least the streets will be safe.

In other news, the blood stains found today on 25 Hanbury street appear, strangely, to have been down-graded. Despite great detail and great excitement about the marks which seemed to tell an entire story, a statement has been made. Inspector Chandler has said that the marks on the fence were urine stains. Quite a remarkable mistake for so many, if true. The atrocities committed upon the victim are actually far worse than most people realise, or have been reported. The nature of some of the injuries will be publicised tomorrow when the doctor gives evidence at the next day of the inquest. But even the doctor declines to give full details, fearing that the murder is simply too awful for people to hear about. The truth of the butchery of poor Annie Chapman now follows, and I apologise for those of a nervious disposition.

Annie's abdomen had been ensirely laid open by her attacker. Her intestines lifted out and placed by her shoulder. What is never reported is that the cut extended fully down between her legs. Her bladder, uterus and genitals had been removed. The killer is a trophy-hunter. There's not necessarily any anatomical knowledge required to arbitrarily select organs to take. Today's inquest heard from the brother of Annie Chapman, James Kent who was called to the body, James Green also. James Kent said that the sight of Annie's body distressed him so much that he had to leave the house and take some brady. Others, including Leather Apron himself, John Pizer gave evidence, and a picture was built up of the morning of the murder. The building of the murder scene is quite hard to understand, but here I'll try to explain it as best as possible.

The front door was never locked, and inside was a passage leading to the various rooms in which others lived. A rare photo inside 29 Hanbury st, from the front door. Annie Chapman lead her killer down the corridor. At the back of the passage was the back door, and here is our view as we creak open the door. Here we stand in the doorway, as the discoverer of the body did. Annie's body was below and to the left. An excellent photo of the back door - Annie's mutilated body was lying just by the fence, her head by the steps. The same view, as a drawing depicting the position in which Annie was found. A view over into next door where a witness passed by and heard something fall against the fence. Whilst this killer's crimes are brazen and he seems daring, only by incredible good fortune has he not been seen at work. If the neighbour Albert Cadoche had merely peeked over the fence upon hearing a noise, he'd have seen the killer and the body. And if he'd merely checked over his shoulder before going off with Annie, then Elizabeth Long would've seen his face clearly. So, despite being an organised killer, he was opportunistic and a little wreckless. But not so wreckless that he's been caught.

That's all for tonight. Tomorrow evening at 7pm we'll have a look at the papers and see how these events are being covered.