Ripper had 30 more victims
Clues link murders to Sutcliffe
THE Yorkshire Ripper may have carried out at least 30 more murders but took his secrets to the grave, a former policeman claimed last night.
Ex-intelligence officer Chris Clark is convinced the shocking tally of unsolved cases are the monstrous handiwork of vile serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, who died of Covid-19 on Friday.
He now wants “Britain’s FBI” – the National Crime Agency – to reinvestigate the horrific killings.
And he is urging the Prime Minister to order a “ground-breaking” probe into all of the murderer’s activities.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mirror, Chris said: “I’ve been able to link the Ripper by method, motive and opportunity to cold cases that have remained dormant for decades.
“The key to tying these threads together was a timeline of Sutcliffe’s life with his wife, Sonia, and his job as an HGV driver travelling across the length and breadth of the UK.
“The evidence is out there and the victims deserve better.”
He added: “I want Boris Johnson to take the lead and order a new and comprehensive inquiry into Sutcliffe.
“The investigation needs to be ground-breaking and led with fresh eyes and I believe the National Crime Agency would be best to carry it out.
“They have the power to go across regional and international borders and can be tasked to investigate any crime.”
Sutcliffe, who died aged 74 after refusing treatment at hospital for coronavirus, was convicted of 13 murders and seven attempted murders in 1981.
His terrible crimes against women made him one of Britain’s most prolific serial killers.
But Chris, who worked for Norfolk Police, is convinced Sutcliffe is responsible for a long list of other cases, including several involving his favoured weapons, hammers and knives.
As well as the 30 murders, Chris also believes Sutcliffe carried out 17 attacks in which victims survived.
It was revealed three years ago that police interviewed Sutcliffe in jail about 17 unsolved attacks, but they did not quiz him about any murders.
It is understood they wanted to focus on survivors because they believed there was a higher chance of prosecutions.
Cases probed included: Gloria Wood, who was hit with a claw hammer on a school playing field in Bradford in 1974; Tracy Browne, bludgeoned with a
Evidence is out there and the victims deserve better
CHRIS CLARK FORMER COP AND CRIME WRITER
hammer in Silsden, West Yorks, in 1975, and Maureen “Mo” Lea, who was battered in Leeds in 1980.
The cold ld case review was launched two years after Chris, now an investigative journalist, published his book The Yorkshire Ripper: The Secret Murders.
At the time he linked Sutcliffe to 23 murders, including that of Playboy bunny girl Eve Stratford, 22, killed in her East London home in March 1975.
She died four months before the first attack Sutcliffe was convicted of – the attempted murder of Anna Rogulskyj, 36,
in Keighley, West Yorks. Wilma McCann, 28, was the first woman known to have been murdered by Sutcliffe, in October that year.
But Chris says the Ripper started much earlier. He believes Fred Craven, 66, killed in Bingley, West Yorks, was Sutcliffe’s first kill – in 1966.
Other victims include legal secretary Jackie Ansell- Lamb, 18, and student teacher Barbara Mayo, 24, who were found dead months apart in 1970. Both had been hitch-hiking.
Gloria Booth, 29, bludgeoned, garotted and mutilated in Ruislip,
West London, in 1971, is also linked to Sutcliffe. As is Lynne Weedon, 16, murdered as she walked home in West London, in 1975.
The crimes Sutcliffe actually confessed to revealed the unusual way in which he killed – stalking victims, using ligatures, knives or hammers and dragging bodies into hidden areas.
Chris says this makes it highly unlikely similar crimes were committed
ON WAY HOME Teen Lynne Weedon
‘FIRST KILL’ Fred Craven in 1966
HITCH-HIKER Barbara Mayo, 1971
by anyone else. He said: “Since the publication of my book, I’ve identified seven more murders I believe Sutcliffe committed.
“The hunt for answers has taken me across the UK over the last eight years.”
Neil Jackson, whose mum Emily was killed by Sutcliffe in Leeds in 1976, also believes there are more victims. He said: “Back then there was no DNA, no CALL Chris wants
new crime probe
BUNNY GIRL Lynne Stratford
GAROTTED Gloria Booth in 1971
CCTV, no computers. I’m convinced there are more out there.”
The 1982 Byford Report concluded Sutcliffe was “probably responsible for many attacks he has not admitted”.
A probe by Chief Constable Sir Lawrence Byford – never released in full – is believed to have identified one murder and eight attempted murders.
An investigation for West Yorkshire Police probed 78 cases before concluding 22 could be linked to Sutcliffe.
But Chris said it “dismissed” some “because of the lack of mutilation to the body”. He added: “This was
blatantly flawed logic as Sutcliffe was often disturbed at crime scenes, so could not go through his repertoire.
“We must hunt the Ripper with renewed vigour. I will work with officers to share my knowledge of one of Britain’s most evil serial killers.”
Taxpayers may have to fund the Ripper’s funeral. Prisons have to offer a contribution towards costs for inmates who die in custody – unless relatives can pay. Discussions with Sutcliffe’s family are ongoing.