13/05/2020
The Poplar mystery
Between 1888 and 1891, the deaths of 11 women in the East End of London were linked together in a single police investigation known as the "Whitechapel murders". Five of the cases, between August and November 1888, are generally agreed to be the work of a single serial killer, known as "Jack the Ripper". Despite an extensive police investigation, the Ripper was never identified and the crimes remained unsolved.
Once again, the Ripper's name was spoken aloud
On Thursday 20 December 1888, the strangled body of 26-year-old pr******te Rose Mylett was found in Clarke's Yard, off Poplar High Street.
A witness stated that he had seen her, the day before, in the company of two sailors by the entrance to Clarke's Yard and he heard her say "No, no, no!" to one of them. Their manner of conduct was suspicious enough so as to bring attention to themselves.
Murder, accidental death or su***de?
Four doctors who examined Mylett's body thought she had been murdered, but Robert Anderson thought she had accidentally hanged herself on the collar of her dress while in a drunken stupor. At Anderson's request Dr Bond examined Mylett's body, and he agreed with Anderson. Commissioner Monro also suspected it was a su***de or natural death as there were no signs of a struggle. The coroner, Wynne Baxter, told the inquest jury that "there is no evidence to show that death was the result of violence". Nevertheless, the jury returned a verdict of "wilful murder against some person or persons unknown" and the case was added to the Whitechapel file.
Photos:
Site of the Rose Mylett murder. Clarke's Yard, Poplar High Street
