The Ripper's victims-Annie Chapman, Catharine Eddowes, Mary Jane Kelly, Mary Ann (or Polly) Nichols, and Elizabeth Stride-were all prostitutes, who appeared to have been killed while soliciting clients. In each case the throat was cut, and the body was further mutilated in a manner suggesting that the murderer may have had medical training. The enormous public attention the case received highlighted the inability of the police to trace a suspect. "Jack the Ripper" was the name signed on various notes purporting to come from the murderer, and the police also received a package containing half a human kidney.
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