Hastily-compiled press reports soon apprised the general public of the tragedy. One of the earliest, printed in the Star, appeared on the day of the murder:

A Whitechapel Horror as it was titled,

A woman, now lying unidentified at the mortuary, Whitechapel, was ferociously stabbed to death this morning, between two and four o’clock, on the landing of a stone staircase in George’s-buildings, Whitechapel.

George’s-buildings are tenements occupied by the poor labouring class. A lodger going early to his work found the body. Another lodger says the murder was not committed when he returned home at about two o’clock. The woman was stabbed in 20 places. No weapon was found near her, and her murderer has left no trace. She is of middle age and height, has black hair and a large, round face, and belonged to the lowest class.

Albert' Crow's inquest was later published in our 11th August edition said:-

I live at 37, George Yard Buildings, and am a cab driver, my number being 6, 609.

I came home at half past three on Tuesday morning, which is about my usual time, although I am on day duty. I went straight up to my lodgings. I had no light with me and went up the same staircase as the last witness.

On my way up I noticed that somebody was lying on the first landing.

My eyesight is very good, and I noticed a body lying there, just as I turned the landing. I am accustomed, however, to find people lying sleeping there, and so I took no notice at the time - not even to ascertain whether the body was that of a male or female.

I don't know, therefore, whether the deceased was alive or dead at the time I saw her.

I went to bed and did not come out again before half-past nine, and up to that time, I heard no noise at all of any kind.

When I went down the stairs then, the body was gone, and I did not know what had been done with it.

When I first...