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June 29, 2023

The Forgotten Thirteen | Part 2: Unmasking the Monster

In the season 9 special, I'm telling 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 focuses 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 part 1, I explored the lives of Wilma, Emily, Irene, Patricia, Jayne and Jean, uncovering their stories, dreams, and aspirations.

 

In this second and final part, I do the same with Yvonne, Helen, Vera, Josephine, Barbara, Margeurite and Jacqueline.

 

I also delve into the 'Wearside Jack' hoax, Sutcliffe's arrest, the murder trial and the case's aftermath.

 

Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣

 

References:⁣

Alam, Y. (2023, January 1). The grave of Helen Rytka, murdered by Sutcliffe, restored. Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23216741.grave-helen-rytka-murdered-sutcliffe-restored/

Atkinson, N. (2013, July 13). Tragic memories of 1978. YorkshireLive. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/tragic-memories-of-1978-5047232

Byford, L. (1981). THE YORKSHIRE RIPPER CASE: REVIEW OF THE POLICE INVESTIGATION OF THE CASE BY LAWRENCE BYFORD, Esq., CBE., QPM., HER MAJESTY’S INSPECTOR OF CONSTABULARY. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://ia803407.us.archive.org/34/items/1981-byford-report-yorkshire-ripper-case-pgs-in-pt-3-redacted/1981%20Byford%20Report%20-%20Yorkshire%20Ripper%20Case%20-%20pgs%20in%20pt3%20REDACTED_text.pdf

“Copy cat” killer hunted by police. (1978, March 28). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 5.

Cowie, N. (1978, May 18). RIPPER CLAIMS VICTIM No 8. Daily Mirror, 1–2.

Crowther, B., & Vaughan, S. (1978, April 10). SHADOW OF THE RIPPER. Daily Mirror, 6.

Dresch, M. (2020, November 13). The Yorkshire Ripper’s 13 innocent victims during 5 year reign of terror. Mirror. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/yorkshire-rippers-13-innocent-victims-23003521

Hirst, I. (2020, November 13). Yorkshire Ripper dead: Remembering Halifax’s Josephine Whitaker, Peter Sutcliffe’s tenth victim. Halifax Courier. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/lifestyle/family/yorkshire-ripper-dead-remembering-halifaxs-josephine-whitaker-peter-sutcliffes-tenth-victim-3035045

JACQUI, THE GIRL WITH SO MUCH LOVE. (1980, November 20). Daily Mirror, 16–17.

Keep-fit fanatic is sought in murder hunt. (1978, March 28). Leicester Daily Mercury, 9.

Lucas, N. (1978, February 12). RIPPER: CLUE OF THE IMPOTENT MAN. Sunday Mirror, 5.

Marano, R. (2021, February 1). The 13 victims of Peter Sutcliffe: remembering who they were. Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/the-13-victims-of-peter-sutcliffe-remembering-who-they-were-3034870

Murder victim’s book contained Leicester names. (1978, March 31). Leicester Daily Mercury, 23.

Nelson, S. C. (2020, November 13). These Are The 13 Women Murdered By Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe. HuffPost UK. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/women-murdered-by-yorkshire-ripper_uk_5fae5a9ec5b663b496db23ae

Peter Sutcliffe victim highlights “imbalance of justice” for women. (2021, May 24). BBC News. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57226876

Police may be searching for “copy-cat” murderer. (1978, March 28). Reading Evening Post, 4.

Prayer for the Ripper. (1979, April 9). Daily Mirror, 17.

RIPPER IS RULED OUT OF HUNT. (1980, August 22). Liverpool Echo, 13.

Ripper murder alert after body is found. (1978, March 27). Birmingham Daily Post, 1.

Ripper police hunt “Mr X.” (1979, April 14). Daily Mirror, 2.

RIPPER SQUAD IN NEW PROBE. (1980, August 22). Daily Mirror, 3.

Roberts, B. (1979, September 4). IT WAS THE RIPPER! Liverpool Echo, 1.

Secret lover clue to murder? (1980, August 25). Belfast Telegraph, 7.

Staniforth, A. (1979, April 10). Phone clue in Ripper hunt. Daily Mirror, 3.

Stevenson, M. (2019, January 11). Mark’s History: Yorkshire Ripper and the tragedy of Farsley’s Marguerite Walls. West Leeds Dispatch. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://westleedsdispatch.com/marks-history-yorkshire-ripper-and-the-tragedy-of-farsleys-marguerite-walls/

Sutcliffe, R. (2018, January 21). Brother of Ripper victim dies aged just 52. YorkshireLive. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/brother-ripper-victim-dies-aged-14183660

Sutcliffe, R. (2020a, November 13). Crime reporter recalls the Ripper’s horrific murder of Huddersfield sex worker. YorkshireLive. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/crime-reporter-recalls-rippers-horrific-19273174

Sutcliffe, R. (2020b, November 13). The horrific day the Ripper viciously Struck in Huddersfield. YorkshireLive. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/horrific-day-ripper-viciously-struck-18046348

Sutcliffe, R. (2020c, November 14). The red light area in Huddersfield where Ripper prowled for victims - and how it still attracts sex workers. YorkshireLive. Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/red-light-area-huddersfield-ripper-19276167

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - ANN ROONEY. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim06.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - BARBARA LEACH. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim19.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - HELEN RYTKA. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim16.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - JACQUELINE HILL. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim23.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - JOSEPHINE WHITAKER. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim18.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - MARGUERITE WALLS. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim20.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - MARILYN MOORE. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim14.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - THERESA SYKES. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim22.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - UPADHYA BANDARA. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim21.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - VERA MILLWARD. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim17.htm

THE ATTACKS AND MURDERS - YVONNE PEARSON. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://www.execulink.com/~kbrannen/victim15.htm

THE RIPPER KILLS AGAIN. (1978, May 18). Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 1.

Topping, A. (2020, November 13). Peter Sutcliffe, Yorkshire Ripper, dies aged 74. The Guardian. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/13/yorkshire-ripper-peter-sutcliffe-dies-aged-74

TWIN IS RIPPER’S VICTIM No 7. (1978, February 5). Sunday Mirror, 2.

Vaughan, S. (1979, April 6). NEW RIPPER HUNT. Daily Mirror, 2.

Wigmore, B. (1978, March 27). The Ripper kills again. Daily Mirror, 2.

Wildman, S. (2020, November 13). “Yorkshire Ripper” who murdered student from Kettering dies. Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/crime/yorkshire-ripper-who-murdered-student-from-kettering-dies-3035244

Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe moved from Broadmoor to prison. (2016, August 25). BBC News. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37183247