Jack the Ripper letter to Mr. George Lusk from 1888

The letter you’re referring to is likely the infamous “From Hell” letter, which was sent to George Lusk, the chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, not Mr. Alaska. Here are the details:

The “From Hell” Letter

• Date and Origin: The letter was postmarked October 15, 1888, and received by George Lusk on October 16, 1888.
• Content: The letter was written in a crude, almost illiterate style and was accompanied by half of a preserved human kidney. The author claimed to have eaten the other half. The letter read:

  From hell.
  Mr Lusk,
  Sor
  I send you half the Kidne I took from one woman prasarved it for you tother piece I fried and ate it was very nise. I may send you the bloody knif that took it out if you only wate a whil longer.
  Signed
  Catch me when you can Mishter Lusk.
  

• Appearance: The letter was written on a single sheet of paper and was delivered in a small box along with the kidney.
• Significance: This letter is one of the most famous pieces of correspondence attributed to Jack the Ripper due to its gruesome content and the inclusion of the kidney. It is one of the few letters that some experts believe could genuinely be from the killer.

Historical Context

• Whitechapel Murders: The Whitechapel murders were a series of brutal killings in the East End of London in 1888, attributed to an unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper. The murders were characterized by extreme violence and mutilation.
• Correspondence: During the investigation, the police and newspapers received numerous letters claiming to be from the killer. While many were dismissed as hoaxes, the “From Hell” letter is one of the few that has been given serious consideration regarding its authenticity.

Current Views

• Authenticity: The authenticity of the “From Hell” letter remains debated. Some experts believe it could be genuine due to the inclusion of the kidney and the specific details mentioned, while others consider it a hoax.
• Forensic Analysis: Modern forensic techniques, such as handwriting analysis and linguistic studies, have been applied to some of the letters, but conclusive evidence linking any of them definitively to the actual killer has not been found.