1979 Ripper suspected of 12th murder

Police have discovered the body of a young woman – thought to be the 12th victim of the “Yorkshire Ripper” – in an alleyway near the centre of Bradford.

The body had been hidden behind a low wall at the back of a terraced house in the city’s university area.

Local streets have been sealed off as a detailed search of the area is made.

It is understood there are similarities to other attacks attributed to the Ripper, and detectives from Manchester and Yorkshire working on the case are at the scene.

Police say it is too early to make a connection with the 11 other victims of the Yorkshire Ripper, but the murderer has killed two others and attacked one more nearby.

Home Office pathologist Professor David Gee – who has dealt with all the other victims of the Ripper – is carrying out an examination of the body.

A tape-recorded message sent to police earlier in the year from a man claiming to be the Ripper, said that he would strike again in September or October.

Pressure is mounting on the police, who appear to be no closer to identifying the murderer since the killings began in 1975.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The young woman was Barbara Leach, a 20-year-old student. She was the Yorkshire Ripper’s twelfth victim.

The tape turned out to be a hoax. The killer was arrested in 1980 after the murder of one more woman.

Peter Sutcliffe (pictured) was tried at the Old Bailey in 1981. He was found guilty of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven more.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the recommendation he serve a minimum of 30 years.