Now Ripper’s victims can rest in peace

Coroner’s message to families after Sutcliffe inquest

A CORONER paid a moving tribute to the victims of the Yorkshire Ripper yesterday as an inquest concluded he died from Covid-19.

Peter Sutcliffe, 74, died at 1.45am on November 13 last year after going in and out of hospital from HMP Frankland four times before his final admission.

Sutcliffe had turned down the option to “shield” in his cell from March 2020.

Crispin Oliver, coroner for Co Durham and Darlington, concluded he died of Sars 2 pneumonia caused by Covid.

The serial killer’s diabetes, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease were contributory factors.

Oliver said a police probe had been constrained by the pandemic but there was no doubt it was a “natural death”.

Opening the hearing, he told of his “support and solidarity” for families and friends of Sutcliffe’s victims.

They were: Wilma McCann, Emily Jackson, Irene Richardson, Tina Atkinson, Jayne MacDonald, Jean Jordan, Yvonne Pearson, Helen Rytka, Vera Millward, Josephine Whitaker, Barbara Leach, Marguerite Walls and Jacqueline Hill.

He also named those who were attacked: Anna Rogulskyj, Olive Smelt, Tracy Browne, Marcella Claxton, Marilyn Moore, Upadhya Bandara, Mo Lea, Theresa Sykes and at least one other unidentified woman.

Oliver added: “Obviously, I think of his family but I remember the women whose names I read out last year. They were his victims and my continuing best wishes go to their families, loved ones and friends.

“I hope they find some sense of closure at this point and the victims rest in peace now that Peter Sutcliffe is dead.”

Lee Drummond, a governor at HMP Frankland, told how Sutcliffe was admitted on August 24, 2016, as a “high-profile” prisoner from Broadmoor psychiatric hospital in Berkshire.

“He was put on the Alpha wing, a more relaxed environment for people with mobility issues. He was still extremely high risk. But he was very unassuming, he was retired and not expected to work... his health prevented that,” he said.

As of March 2020, he was given the chance to self-isolate.

Drummond added: “Those on the vulnerable list were kept away from other prisoners. But he did not take the opportunity to shield.”

The hearing in Crook, Co Durham, was told Sutcliffe fell ill on October 28, 2020, and was found to have a “blocked” heart. He was admitted to the University Hospital of North Durham and remained there until November 4. He tested positive for Covid-19 the next day.

Sutcliffe returned to the prison’s health care unit but fell ill on November 8, went into hospital and came back to prison. He was last admitted on November 10.

Angela Spence, a community health nurse for private provider Spectrum at the prison, said before he was sent back to hospital he had fallen in his cell. He was feeling “breathless and unwell”.

She told the inquest: “He tried to turn the telly over, slipped and fell. There were no injuries but the decision was made to readmit him to hospital.”

Sutcliffe had “extremely heavy lungs” due to Covid, pathologist Dr Clive Bloxham said. He confirmed the death was not suspicious.

The Prison Ombudsman concluded he received the same care in prison as “in the community”.

Former wife Sonia, 71, of Bradford, West Yorks, was notified of his death.