Laid Bare

Former Flying Squad detective and author Dick Kirby reopens one of the most infamous unsolved crimes in British history 50 years on

etween 1959 and 1965, eight murders were carried out in and around west London. The victims, all of whom were prostitutes, were asphyxiated. The murders were linked: the last six were all carried out in the space of 12 months. The press dubbed the murderer 'Jack the Stripper' on account of the fact that the victims were all stripped naked. The legendary Scotland Yard investigator Detective Chief Superintendent John Du Rose was brought in to orchestrate the enquiry. Du Rose flooded the night-time capital with police officers in plain clothes, whilst women police officers were dressed as prostitutes and carried out dangerous decoy patrols. Of the 1,700 potential suspects interviewed, the number was whittled down to 26 – and then to one. But before Du Rose could interview him, the man committed suicide and the investigation was closed down.

However, was this man 'Jack the Stripper'? Author Dick Kirby, a former Flying Squad detective himself, has used his vast experience and contacts at Scotland Yard to reexamine the case, more commonly known as 'The Nude Murders', 50 years on.

About the Author

Dick Kirby joined the Metropolitan Police in 1967, and during the next 26 years spent half of his service with Scotland Yard's Serious Crime Squad and the Flying Squad. He is now a true crime historian, having written numerous books including 'Villain's (Constable, 2008), 'The Sweeney' (Pen & Sword, 2011) and the forthcoming 'The Wrong Man' (THP, 2016)