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June 22, 2023

The Forgotten Thirteen | Part 1: Shattered Lives

In the season 9 special, I tell the stories of Wilma McCann, Emily Jackson, Irene Richardson, Patricia Atkinson, Jayne MacDonald, Jean Jordan, Yvonne Pearson, Helen Rytka, Vera Millward, Josephine Whitaker, Barbara Leach, Margeurite Walls and Jacqueline Hill, who each lost their lives at the hands of Peter Sutcliffe, who many knew as "The Yorkshire Ripper".

 

This two-part episode will focus on the stories of those thirteen innocent women - whose names are too often forgotten - ensuring their lives are remembered and not overshadowed by the darkness that befell them.

 

In this first part, I explore the lives of Wilma, Emily, Irene, Patricia, Jayne and Jean, uncovering their stories, dreams, and aspirations.

 

I also delve into their respective murders, shedding light on the horrifying circumstances that cut their lives short.

 

I'll discuss the crimes' societal impact, the fear that gripped local communities, and the emotional toll endured by the victims' families and friends.

 

Next week I'll do the same with Yvonne, Helen, Vera, Josephine, Barbara, Margeurite and Jacqueline whilst also discussing Sutcliffe's arrest, trial and the case's aftermath.

 

Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣

 

References:⁣

£5 NOTE CLUE. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/fivenote.htm

£5 note clue to “Ripper” killer. (1977, October 28). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 9.

Beever, S. (2020, October 30). Son of Yorkshire Ripper victim Wilma McCann calls for apology from West Yorkshire Police over “victim blaming” language used towards Sutcliffe’s victims. Yorkshire Post. Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/son-of-yorkshire-ripper-victim-wilma-mccann-calls-for-apology-from-west-yorkshire-police-over-victim-blaming-language-used-towards-sutcliffes-victims-3020870

“BOY FRIEND” PLEA BY POLICE. (1975, November 1). Belfast Telegraph, 5.

Call girl helps in hunt for killer. (1976, January 31). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 4.

Clairvoyant aids hunt for the Ripper. (1977, June 30). Birmingham Daily Post, 5.

Croal, S. (2020, November 13). Son of Scots Yorkshire ripper victim says notorious serial killer’s death has finally brought “some kind of closure.”Daily Record. Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/son-scots-yorkshire-ripper-victim-23003997

Divorcee found stabbed to death. (1975, October 31). Birmingham Daily Post, 7.

Finnegan, S. (2020, November 13). Son of Yorkshire Ripper victim Emily Jackson says “thank f*** for that” after killer’s death. YorkshireLive. Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/neil-emily-jackson-yorkshire-ripper-19274074

Fiver clue in murder. (1977, October 28). Aberdeen Evening Express, 5.

FIVER IS KEY CLUE IN RIPPER HUNT. (1977, October 31). Belfast Telegraph, 9.

Harrison, K. (1977, October 13). Manhunt for maniac after young wife is killed. Western Daily Press, 3.

Hunt for North mum’s sadistic sex killer. (1975, October 30). Aberdeen Evening Express, 1.

Hyde, N. (2020, November 13). Yorkshire Ripper documentary examines brutal murders and flawed investigation. LeedsLive. Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/new-yorkshire-ripper-documentary-examines-16029414

I can identify Ripper - victim. (1977, June 28). Birmingham Daily Post, 9.

Kavanagh, J. (2022, April 26). Who were the Yorkshire Ripper’s victims? The Sun. Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13063369/peter-sutcliffe-yorkshire-ripper-victims-who-when/

Kellaway, B. (2020, November 13). Son of Yorkshire Ripper victim says mum would be “over the moon” at killer’s death. Mirror. Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/son-yorkshire-ripper-victim-says-23006966

Meierhans, B. J. (2020, November 13). Yorkshire Ripper death: People “should focus on victims.” BBC News. Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-54930118

Mills, K. (2021, June 29). Inside flat where Yorkshire Ripper murdered fourth victim which is still standing today. Mirror. Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/inside-flat-yorkshire-ripper-murdered-24422401

Mother was Yorkshire Ripper victim Irene Richardson. (2012, June 29). BBC News. Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-18651202

Mother’s plea to murderer. (1977, June 29). Birmingham Daily Post, 7.

Murder hunt goes on. (1975, November 3). Aberdeen Evening Express, 3.

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POLICE HUNT SADISTIC KILLER. (1975, October 31). Hull Daily Mail, 1.

POLICE HUNT “SADISTIC PERVERT.” (1976, January 22). Leicester Daily Mercury, 1.

Police in plea for lorry driver. (1975, October 31). Aberdeen Evening Express, 11.

Ridley, M. (2016, October 10). Son of Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe’s first victim forgives killer for murdering his mum Wilma McCann. The Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1942749/son-of-yorkshire-ripper-peter-sutcliffes-first-victim-forgives-killer-for-murdering-his-mum-wilma-mccann/

Sadist killer of wife may strike again. (1976, January 22). Western Daily Press, 7.

Stratton, A. (2007, December 27). Ripper victim’s daughter takes own life. The Guardian. Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/dec/27/ukcrime.uk

Taylor, D. (2020, November 17). “He stole her from me”: The Furness man whose mum was killed by Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe. The Mail. Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/18876539.he-stole-me-furness-man-whose-mum-killed-yorkshire-ripper-peter-sutcliffe/

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - EMILY JACKSON. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim07.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - IRENE RICHARDSON. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim09.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - JAYNE MacDONALD. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim11.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - PATRICIA ATKINSON. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim10.htm

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Wilma McCann (Leeds 1975). (n.d.). The Yorkshire Ripper. Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://www.theyorkshireripper.co.uk/wilma-mccann-leeds-1975/

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