Media

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The Ripper murders mark an important watershed in the treatment of crime by journalists. Jack The Ripper was not the first serial killer, but his case was the first to create a worldwide media franzy. 

After the murder of Nichols in early September, the Manchester Guardian reported that "Whatever information may be in the possession of the police they deem it necessary to keep secret, it is believed their attention is particularly decided to a notorious character known as Leather Apron." 

After the publication of the "Dear Boss" letter, Jack The Ripper supplanted Leather Apron as the name adopted by the press and public to describe the killer. The name Jack was already used the describe another fabled London attacker, "Spring-heeled Jack", who supposedly leapt over walls to strike at his victims and escape as quickly as he came. The invention and adoption fo a nickname became standard media practice.

Sensational press reports combined with the fact that no one was ever convicted of the murders have confused scholarly analysis and created a legend that casts shadow over later serial killers.

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