Real-Life Abberline Remembered

The Epoch Times reports Frederick Abberline, the real Jack-the-Ripper detective portrayed by Johnny Depp in From Hell, has finally received a headstone on his grave thanks to the work of historians and former Metropolitan Police officers.

LONDON-The grave of a Victorian detective who led the hunt for one of Britain's most notorious killers, Jack the Ripper, is finally to be marked with a headstone, 78 years after his death.

Despite being a key figure in the investigation into a string of gruesome murders in London's East End in the late 19th century, Detective Inspector Frederick Abberline was buried in an unmarked grave.

Now, through the work of a group of former Metropolitan Police officers and keen Ripper historians, a headstone has been placed at his grave in Wimborne Road cemetery, Bournemouth.

Father Robin Harger, vicar of the nearby church, St Stephen's and St Augustin's, will give a blessing on Friday attended by current and former Scotland Yard detectives.

"It's extraordinary that no headstone has been there to commemorate Abberline, considering his role in the Jack the Ripper case," said former Met officer Arthur Stanners, who has helped in the campaign.

Abberline was sent from Scotland Yard to lead a team of detectives investigating the murder and horrific mutilation of the bodies of prostitutes found in Whitechapel between 1888 and 1891. The ripper could have killed up to 11 women, though it is believed the number was more likely five, between August and November 1888.

London was fascinated and appalled by the murders at the time and because the killer was never caught, the true identity of the Ripper has been a subject of avid speculation ever since.

Theories include suggestions the Ripper was an artist, an author, a midwife or even a member of the royal family.

The Metropolitan Police Web site suggests he could have been a poor Polish Jew who lived in the area, a barrister who later committed suicide, a Russian-born thief and confidence trickster or an American doctor who fled the country after being arrested for a different offense.

Abberline left the inquiry in early 1889 and later retired to Bournemouth on the south coast in his native Dorset where he lived until his death in 1929.

Local historians believe a headstone was never placed on his grave because his wife died shortly after he did, and the couple did not have any children.

Stonemason Matt Williams of Williams Monumental Company, who donated the black granite memorial, told Reuters: "I read about the campaign to raise money for a headstone, and have always been interested in the story of Jack the Ripper, so thought I could help."

Members of Abberline's family were tracked down, and permission given for the headstone.

Michael Stead, technical assistant conservation, at Bournemouth Council, said: "Abberline's role has been played on film by Johnny Depp and Michael Caine so we thought 'yes' something should be done."

BBC News also offers an article about the project, with some additional details of the effort and the case:

A Scotland Yard detective who led the police hunt for Jack the Ripper is to have his grave marked with a headstone 78 years after his death.

Det Insp Frederick Abberline, who was born in Blandford Forum, retired to Bournemouth, Dorset and was buried in an unmarked grave there in 1929.

A local stonemason has now donated a headstone after a campaign by former officers and Ripper enthusiasts.

Mr Abberline had no close local family to pay for his headstone at the time.

Prayers for victims

Matt Williams, of Williams Monumental Company in St Leonards, said: "I had been interested in the Ripper stories over the years and I heard they have been trying for years to get a headstone.

"I was happy I could have something to do with it and was in a position to help."

Det Insp Abberline was buried alongside his wife.

It is thought at around the time of their deaths, the Abberlines had no close family living locally who were willing to pay for a headstone to be erected.

Campaigners have since set about finding Mr Abberline's living relatives, confirming details of his life and getting the necessary permission from Bournemouth Borough Council.

The headstone was put in place about three weeks ago and a ceremony is due to be held on Friday.

Senior officers from the Metropolitan Police and so-called "Ripperologists" are expected to attend.

Father Robin Harger, vicar of St Stephen's and St Augustin's churches, will officiate and offer prayers for victims of violent crime.

Female Ripper

The Ripper crimes were never solved and the case remains one of the biggest murder mysteries of all time.

Five prostitutes were killed in the alleyways of Whitechapel in London's East End between August and November 1888.

The chief suspects were all men, including a member of the Royal Family, a famous author, a doctor and an artist, but Mr Abberline always believed the Ripper could have been female.

DNA profiling techniques used last year on letters sent by the killer backed up his belief.

Insp Abberline was played by Johnny Depp in the film about the case, From Hell.