Peter William Sutcliffe (2 June 1946 – 13 November 2020), also known as Peter Coonan, was an English serial killer who was convicted of murdering thirteen women and attempting to murder seven more between 1975 and 1980. He was sentenced to twenty concurrent sentences of life imprisonment, which were converted to a whole life order in 2010. Two of Sutcliffe’s murders took place in Manchester; all the others were in West Yorkshire. Criminal psychologist Dr. David Canter called him “the most prolific serial killer in British history”.
Early life
Sutcliffe was born in Bingley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, to John Sutcliffe, a lorry driver, and Kathleen Sutcliffe (née Waddington). He was the youngest of four children. His parents were strict and religious, and Sutcliffe was often punished for minor infractions. He was also bullied at school, which left him with low self-esteem.
Sutcliffe’s childhood was marked by violence and abuse. His father was a violent man who often beat his wife and children. Sutcliffe himself was also a victim of abuse, and he was once beaten so badly by his father that he was hospitalized.
Sutcliffe’s early life also saw the onset of his mental health problems. He began to experience paranoid delusions and hallucinations, and he started to believe that he was being controlled by God.
Adult life
Sutcliffe worked as a lorry driver and a gravedigger. He was married twice, but both marriages ended in divorce. He was also diagnosed with schizophrenia and paranoid delusions.
Sutcliffe’s mental health problems worsened in the early 1970s. He began to believe that he was on a mission from God to kill prostitutes. He also started to believe that he was being followed by the police.
The murders
Sutcliffe’s first victim was Wilma McCann, who was found murdered in Leeds in 1975. He went on to murder 12 more women, all of whom were sex workers. He would often strike in the early hours of the morning, and he would always attack his victims from behind. He would then mutilate their bodies with a hammer or a knife.
Sutcliffe’s victims were all young women, and they were all attacked in a similar way. He would often strike them on the head with a hammer, and he would then stab them repeatedly. He would also mutilate their bodies, often removing their organs.
The police investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper murders was one of the largest and most expensive in British history. Over 2,000 suspects were interviewed, and over 100,000 people were asked to provide DNA samples. However, Sutcliffe was not caught until 1981.
The arrest and conviction
Sutcliffe was arrested in Sheffield in 1981 after being stopped by the police for driving with false number plates. He confessed to the murders, and he was later convicted and sentenced to twenty concurrent sentences of life imprisonment.
Sutcliffe’s trial was a major media event, and he was dubbed the “Yorkshire Ripper” by the press. He was also the subject of a number of books and films.
The aftermath
The Yorkshire Ripper murders had a profound impact on the people of West Yorkshire. The city was gripped by fear, and many people stopped going out at night. The case also had a significant impact on the police, who were criticized for their handling of the investigation.
Sutcliffe’s conviction brought some closure to the families of his victims, but the case continues to fascinate and intrigue people all over the world.
Death
Sutcliffe died in prison from COVID-19 on 13 November 2020, at the age of 74. His death was met with mixed reactions, with some people expressing relief and others expressing anger.
Theories about Sutcliffe’s motives
There are a number of theories about Sutcliffe’s motives for the murders. Some experts believe that he was motivated by a hatred of prostitutes, while others believe that he was motivated by a desire to punish women for his own perceived sexual inadequacy. Still others believe that he was motivated by a combination of factors, including his mental health problems and his religious beliefs.
The Yorkshire Ripper case
The Yorkshire Ripper case is one of the most infamous serial killer cases in British history. It is a complex and disturbing case that has been the subject of much debate and speculation
News quotes
- “Sutcliffe was a monster, a cold-blooded killer who showed no mercy to his victims.” – Detective Chief Superintendent James Hobson, who led the investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper murders
- “The murders committed by Sutcliffe were some of the most brutal and sadistic in British history.” – Professor David Canter, a criminologist at the University of Surrey
- “Sutcliffe’s case is a reminder that there are evil people in the world who are capable of unspeakable acts of violence.” – Dr. Robert Ressler, former FBI profiler