Lucy Worsley Uncovers the Forgotten Horror of the Thames Torso Murders
A new documentary by Lucy Worsley explores a lesser-known but equally chilling series of Victorian murders. Victorian Murder Club examines the Thames Torso Murders, a string of gruesome killings that unfolded alongside Jack the Ripper’s crimes. Experts in the film argue that these cases were the work of a separate, unidentified killer—or killers—who terrorised London in the late 19th century.
Between the 1870s and 1890s, dismembered bodies began appearing in the Thames and alleyways of London’s East End. Unlike Jack the Ripper, whose victims were left largely intact, the Thames Torso Murderer cut up corpses and scattered the remains. The Ripper’s crimes claimed at least five women, but theories suggest there may have been more. Meanwhile, the torso killer’s victims were butchered, their limbs and torsos dumped in public places.
The documentary brings together historians and forensic experts to separate these cases from the Ripper’s. Dr Marie Cassidy, a forensic pathologist, explains that the two killers had distinct psychological profiles. While the Ripper mutilated his victims, the torso murderer focused on dismemberment, suggesting a different motive. Dr Drew Gray, another expert, highlights a key connection: a prime suspect for the torso murders once lived in a house where the Ripper’s second victim was later found. Over the years, many names have been proposed for both killers. The Ripper’s suspected list includes Prince Albert Victor, Lewis Carroll, and artist Walter Sickert. For the torso murders, one theory points to a ‘cats-meat man’—a trader who sold raw pet food from a cart—possibly linked to the horse trade. Yet, despite the speculation, no one was ever convicted. Experts like Kate Lister, Rose Wallis, and Nadifa Mohamed appear in the film to challenge long-held assumptions. They argue that the torso murders were overshadowed by the Ripper’s notoriety, leaving crucial questions unanswered.
The Thames Torso Murderer’s identity remains a mystery, with the case files still unsolved over a century later. The documentary suggests that separating these crimes from the Ripper’s could finally bring new clarity to a forgotten chapter of Victorian horror. For now, the killer—or killers—responsible for the dismembered bodies continue to evade justice.
