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Jack the Ripper Copycat in Ipswich?

The British police reported Monday that it was investigating the deaths of 4 prostitutes in eastern England. 3 bodies were found in the Ipswich area, about 100 Km north-east of London. A police spokesperson said that the first three bodies found had no signs of abuse. Det Ch Supt Stewart Gull said: "I do not know who we are looking for. He may be local, he may be from away. We could draw a number of conclusions as to where the bodies have been deposited and found. Anything is possible."

The three women, whose bodies were found, were Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol and Paula Clennell. Gull said the discovery of the third body was extremely troubling. Gemma Adams has been announced missing since November 15, and Tania Nicol was announced missing on October 30. Gull called on woman to be careful and not be alone in the streets especially appealing to prostitutes: "Please stay off the streets, if you are out alone at night you are putting yourself in danger."

This series of murders reminds many of Jack the Ripper, a pseudonym given to an unknown serial killer, or killers, active in the Whitechapel area and nearby districts of London in 1888. The name is a result of a letter sent by someone, who claimed to be the murder, to the Central News Agency. The legends surrounding the Jack the Ripper murders a mix of historical research, conspiracy theory and folklore. Newspapers granted the killer enduring notoriety detailing the murderer`s savagery and the police`s inability to capture the Ripper.