Peter Sutcliffe: Who was the Yorkshire Ripper, who were victims and what unsolved crimes were linked to him?
Peter Sutcliffe, also known as “The Yorkshire Ripper”, on his wedding day, August 10, 1974. (Image credit: Getty)
The Yorkshire Ripper is one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers.
The killer’s shocking story gripped the nation in the early 1980s.
Now a new ITV documentary uncovers the story and investigation into the crimes of Peter Sutcliffe.
Since his conviction, there have been many unsolved crimes believed to be connected to him.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Yorkshire Ripper and who his victims were.
Who was the Yorkshire Ripper?
Peter Sutcliffe was born on June 2, 1946 in Bingley, West Riding of Yorkshire.
Sutcliffe is known to have killed 13 women and assaulted another 10 while working as a truck driver.
His attacks took place between 1975 and 1981 and were mainly concentrated in the Leeds area, while he also committed crimes in Bradford, Manchester, Halifax, Huddersfield, Keighley and Silsden.
He was caught by police with a prostitute in his car in 1981, when officers found fake IDs and weapons, including a screwdriver and a hammer, in his boot.
Speaking to psychiatrists, he said that in 1967, while he was working as a gravedigger, he heard a voice telling him that his mission was to kill sex workers.
However, not all of his victims were in this industry.
Police have been criticized for not finding Sutcliffe sooner after it was revealed he had been questioned nine times without charge over the course of a five-year investigation.
After a very high-profile trial at the Old Bailey, Sutcliffe was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 20 life sentences, which were later combined into one life sentence.
Who were the victims of Peter Sutcliffe?
Sutcliffe is known to have killed at least 13 women from 1975 to 1981, although it is believed that number could be higher due to unsolved cases.
His confirmed victims were:
- Wilma McCann, 28 years old
- Emily Jackson, 42 years old
- Irene Richardson, 28 years old
- Patricia “Tina” Atkinson, 32 years old
- Jayne MacDonald, 16 years old
- Jean Jordan, 20 years old
- Yvonne Pearson, 21 years old
- Helen Rytka, 18 years old
- Vera Millward, 40 years old
- Josephine Whitaker, 19 years old
- Barbara Leach, 20 years old
- Marguerite Walls, 47 years old
- Jacqueline Hill, 20 years old
He also assaulted at least 10 women from 1969 to 1980.
Is Peter Sutcliffe still alive?
While detained at HMP Frankland in County Durham, Sutcliffe contracted Covid-19 at the age of 74.
The convicted felon was transferred to North Durham University Hospital due to complications from the illness.
He also recently suffered a heart attack and has had a number of underlying health issues including obesity and diabetes.
He died in hospital on November 13, 2020.
What is The Yorkshire Ripper: The Secret Murders about?
The brand new ITV documentary will take a look at more than 20 unsolved murders and attempted murders believed to be linked to The Yorkshire Ripper.
Many of the methods are believed to be similar to the way Sutcliffe carried out his attacks.
These include the 1977 killing of Carol Wilkinson after Anthony Steel overturned his conviction for the 2003 murder of the bakery worker by the Court of Appeals.
He had served 20 years in prison before being released.
Experts will also look into the missed opportunities the police had to capture Sutcliffe earlier.
When will The Yorkshire Ripper: The Secret Murders air?
The show airs on Monday 23 May 2022 at 10:45pm on ITV1 and STV.
There will be two episodes of the series, the second of which will air next night (Tuesday 24 May) at the same time.
Both episodes can currently be caught up on the ITVHub or STV Player.
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