Jack the Ripper Unmasked by Australian Schoolteacher

New South Wales schoolteacher Richard Patterson's 20-year investigation may have finally uncovered the identity of the man hidden in the fog of mysterious killings in 19th century East London. If Richard's theory holds water, the legendary Jack the Ripper is none other than respected poet Francis Thompson.

Richard first came to believe that Thompson was Jack the Ripper when he read a book of Thompson's poetry in 1997 as a student in Australia. Since then Richard had been searching the world for clues to verify the poet's ties to Jack the Ripper. For him, Thompson is the strongest suspect of any other ones previously known.

Not only did Thompson produce writings about killing people but, apparently, also had surgical training in his background. This is a popular theory about Jack the Ripper based on the methodical wounds he inflicted on his victims.

"Thompson kept a dissecting knife under his coat, and he was taught a rare surgical procedure that was found in the mutilations of more than one of the Ripper victims."

"He helped with surgery and is known to have cut up heaps and heaps of cadavers while a student."

The man is also believed to be linked with one of the working girls in the locality of Jack the Ripper's murders.

According to Richard, Thompson lived in the rough in London and had an addiction to opium. One day, he became friends with a prostitute who offered him a place to stay in her own home. The friendship was thought to have taken a romantic turn and ended abruptly a year later when Thompson's work became published. In a noble gesture, she broke up with him saying that the public would never understand his relationship with her.

Richard believes that this is what pushed Thompson over the edge. The horrific killings began shortly after the relationship ended. According to Richard, therefrom was Jack the Ripper born. Richard believes this is Thompson's payback for his heartbreak.

"Soon before and soon after the murders, he wrote about killing female prostitutes with knives."

Richard's book, Francis Thompson - a Ripper Suspect, will detail all his findings. He traveled to Thompson's home in Preston, Lancashire in northwest England and to Boston in the United States as part of his investigation of the poet.

"I'm grateful to have played some part in helping people understand Thompson, and why he might have been the Ripper."

"I'm excited that people are beginning to take the theory seriously, seeing Thompson and the crimes in a different light creates interesting possibilities."