Despite the world’s tendency of producing a fair number of serial killers, there’s no doubt that Jack the Ripper sits at the top. From his grotesque mutilations, to the paranoia he inspired in England, Jack the Ripper was known for his cleverness, his odd tastes, and his ability to evade capture. Many books, such as The Curse Upon Mitre Square by John Brewer, and movies, like From Hell, have drawn inspiration from the Ripper, whether it be through his victims or even speculations of who he, or she, really was. But whatever we do to try to make sense of the crimes, the Ripper had managed to cause unspeakable terror. And while there have been many victims that have been attributed to his work, below are the victims that police know for sure he killed.

Mary Ann Nichols

A divorced mother whose husband accused her of prostituting herself, Nichols ended up trying to survive by engaging in the very practice, although she ended up having to rely on donations as well. She slept on the streets, and was subsequently put in a workhouse, where she later stole from her employers. Afterwards, she talked about making money by selling a bonnet she recently acquired. She was later found mutilated, where she lay in a pool of her own blood.

Elizabeth Stride

Like Nichols, Stride had separated from her husband and was admitted into a workhouse in the Whitechapel area. Although she was known for her calm demeanor, she was also infamous for being a rather disorderly drunk. Stride was last seen alive on September 29th, where she was leaving with a rather short man. Both her death and Nichols’s was when the Ripper had truly come to life.

Annie Chapman

Annie Chapman had separated from her husband in Whitechapel. She made money doing some crochet work and selling flowers, as well as doing a bit of casual prostitution here and there. Like Stride, she was also known for her mature demeanor, but was also seen fighting with a woman named Eliza over a bar of soap. She was last seen talking to a man on the side of the street, assuming that he was presumably another client. Her body was discovered on September 8th, 1888.

Mary Jane Kelly

Known to be one of the last of Jack the Ripper’s victims, Mary Jane Kelly was an attractive woman who was nicknamed “Black Mary” as well as other multiple nicknames. She was a violent drunk who had been accused of allegedly breaking a woman’s window. She was discovered dead in her apartment by her landlord when he realized she was six weeks behind on rent.

Catherine Eddowes

Catherine Eddowes carries a special connection with Elizabeth Stride, because she was discovered just hours after Stride’s body was found. Eddowes married an ex-soldier, with whom she had a daughter and two sons. Later the two separated, then she found a new partner. She engaged in casual prostitution for extra income. She was last seen being released from prison after being passed out drunk.

Jack the Ripper is a mysterious killer that drew the attention of the world. From the way he played with the police and his victims’ innards, to how he managed to evade being arrested, Jack the Ripper is one of the pinnacles of serial killing. Still, it's his victims that told a part of the story, his victims that opened a gateway to humanity’s hell. Despite the fact that these women had engaged in prostitution, and may not have been noticed, he was still a crime that had been birthed from England’s lower classes, victims that have been noticed, despite their low stations.