IT’S been 125 years since Jack the Ripper stalked the streets of Whitechapel, murdering prostitutes before removing their organs. For all that time the case has enthralled the public, uncomfortably drawn to it by the gruesomeness of the crimes, the mystery that surrounds the killer and long list of suspects, including bootmakers and barristers, madmen and royal doctors.

It’s a whodunnit that continues to capture the imagination. Retired British murder squad detective Trevor Marriott thinks he has the answer, and will present his findings in an illustrated talk – Jack The Ripper: A 21st Century Investigation.

“It’s a fascinating case,” explains Trevor, who began investigating the Whitechapel murders in 2003 following retirement. “It’s an enduring mystery that’s been kept alive for 125 years. You’ve got a man in a black cape, carrying a black bag, trawling the streets of Whitechapel and murdering women and removing their organs in the street and he’s never been caught.”

Trevor brought an analytical mind to the case and was careful not to be influenced by the myths.

“You have to be suspicious, never take anything for granted as far as evidence is concerned or what witnesses have said, you always have to check and double check.”

Trevor’s investigation started with the murders themselves. He found very similar murders that happened before and after 1888 – not only in the UK but in Germany and the USA too. “There’s evidence of other murders of a similar nature,” says Trevor, “all unsolved, in London, some in Whitechapel, before and after these five.”

So whodunnit? Well, we can’t reveal the answer here, but Trevor presents some pretty convincing evidence in his talk. So after 125 years, has the case been cracked?

“I don’t think we’ll ever know for sure. Maybe it’s now more about who it wasn’t, rather than who it was.”

  • Jack The Ripper: A 21st Century Investigation is at Harlow Playhouse on November 8. Details: playhouseharlow.com