On a case by case basis I have long pondered whether all of the C-5 were engaging in prostitution at the times they were killed. My original reason for these ponderings was to see if other circumstances put them in the path of JtR and if those circumstances could identify Jack. Mary Kelly was probably selling herself on her last night/morning. Annie, Polly and Kate, maybe.
Despite testimony that Liz Stride was seen walking with men, I have thought and still do believe she was not working as a prostitute in the hours before her death. A general point I have made about all five cases is that no money was found with any of the victims and what prostitute goes away with a client without getting money up front? (Except farthings or no farthings with Annie? What's the latest consensus?)
With Annie, Polly, Kate and Mary we could theorise that the killer took back what he may have paid them and, especially in the case of Mary, had time and opportunity to rob her of any other earnings from clients earlier in the night/morning.
Not so with Liz. Everything points to her being killed suddenly and the killer leaving immediately. There is no sign the killer rummaged through her garments or pockets. The only possible item I can think of that MIGHT have been a payment by a client was the packet of cachous in her hand. If it was pressed just right into her palm she might not have been able to instantly tell it was not a coin. (There is a neuro-psycological factor that makes this possible.)
Even so, she was seen with men earlier in the evening, even strolling with a man or two. If she was prostituting she surely would have earned a few coins. We have no reports that she was seen in any pubs or other places where she could have spent earnings. Reports seem to center Liz near Dutfield's Yard and not inside places where money could be spent. She had apparently had dinner earlier. She may or may not have needed to earn money for a bed for the night.
I have other reasons to think Liz was not actually prostituting herself on that last night but keeping with the fact of no money found on her person and no evidence the killer even attempted to rob her, what can we learn?
Despite testimony that Liz Stride was seen walking with men, I have thought and still do believe she was not working as a prostitute in the hours before her death. A general point I have made about all five cases is that no money was found with any of the victims and what prostitute goes away with a client without getting money up front? (Except farthings or no farthings with Annie? What's the latest consensus?)
With Annie, Polly, Kate and Mary we could theorise that the killer took back what he may have paid them and, especially in the case of Mary, had time and opportunity to rob her of any other earnings from clients earlier in the night/morning.
Not so with Liz. Everything points to her being killed suddenly and the killer leaving immediately. There is no sign the killer rummaged through her garments or pockets. The only possible item I can think of that MIGHT have been a payment by a client was the packet of cachous in her hand. If it was pressed just right into her palm she might not have been able to instantly tell it was not a coin. (There is a neuro-psycological factor that makes this possible.)
Even so, she was seen with men earlier in the evening, even strolling with a man or two. If she was prostituting she surely would have earned a few coins. We have no reports that she was seen in any pubs or other places where she could have spent earnings. Reports seem to center Liz near Dutfield's Yard and not inside places where money could be spent. She had apparently had dinner earlier. She may or may not have needed to earn money for a bed for the night.
I have other reasons to think Liz was not actually prostituting herself on that last night but keeping with the fact of no money found on her person and no evidence the killer even attempted to rob her, what can we learn?
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