Jack the Ripper Suspect – Jacob Levy

Which Jacob Levy?

Jacob Levy was quite a common name in London in the nineteenth century. The 1891 London Census lists several in the east end, a few of whom we’ll mention here:

Jacob Levy, aged 25, a Boot Finisher, born in Russia, Poland, living at 142 Old Montague Street: Jacob Levy, Boot Finisher
Jacob Levy, aged 50, a Teacher of Hebrew, born in Poland, a Naturalised British Subject, living at 29 Goulston Street: Jacob Levy, Hebrew Teacher
Jacob Levy, aged 37, a Cigar Maker, born in London, Spitalfields, living at 183 Brunswick Buildings, Goulston Street: Jacob Levy, Cigar Maker
Jacob Levy, aged 30, a Shoe Maker, born in Russia (British Subject), living at 13 Hampshire Court: Jacob Levy, Shoe Maker

There are others, but none of them found so far are butcher’s, so I guess we’ll keep looking.

In 1886 Levy, a butcher, was committed to the Essex County asylum after complaining of hearing strange noises and saying that he felt compelled to do acts that his conscience could not stand, he also felt that if he was not restrained, he will do acts of violence to someone.

In August 1890 he was admitted to the City of London lunatic asylum as an insane person. The cause of his illness was listed as mania. He died of paralysis brought on by the disease syphilis in July 1891.

Levy fitted the eyewitness descriptions of the Jack the Ripper suspect. Having contracted syphilis, he was undoubtedly familiar with the local prostitutes. He knew the local area well.

It is possibe that the man seen by Joseph Hyam Levy with Catherine Eddowes shortly before she was murdered, was Jacob Levy.

Joseph Hyam Levy was a butcher who worked at 1 Hutchinson Street. Jacob Levy was a butcher at 111 Middlesex Street, a mere 60 yards away, so it is quite possible that Joseph Hyam Levy knew Jacob Levy and may have recognized him that night with Catherine Eddowes.

Was Joseph Hyam Levy, Anderson’s witness, who would not testify against fellow Jew, Jacob Levy.

Conclusion: It is possible that Jacob Levy was Jack the Ripper.