Gunthorpe Street (Martha Tabram's Murder Site), London

Gunthorpe Street, once called Georges Yard, is a narrow passage in the historic East End of London that captures the essence of the area's dark and historic past. Nestled next to the White Hart pub on Whitechapel High Street, it's a concealed treasure, maintaining much of its atmospheric charm. Accessed through an archway and adorned with cobblestones, it carries whispers of a bygone time.

In their heyday, both the pub and the alley were prominent landmarks at the heart of Whitechapel. This area was notorious, and Gunthorpe Street, together with its adjacent counterpart, Angel Alley, were well-known locations for secret rendezvous. When individuals sought a sheltered spot for their meetings, these alleys became favored hideaways for clandestine encounters.

George's Yard Buildings, a corridor within Gunthorpe Street, gained infamy as the location where Martha Tabram's body was discovered on the morning of August 7, 1888. Although her murder is not officially attributed to Jack the Ripper, it holds a place of significance. Unlike the Ripper's other victims, Martha was stabbed multiple times rather than having her throat slit. Some argue that this difference in 'modus operandi' sets her apart. However, with 39 stab wounds, the timing of the crime, and the brutality of the attack, many firmly believe Martha's murder should be considered the first at the hands of the Ripper.

On that ill-fated day, Martha and her companion, May Ann 'Pearly Poll' Connelly, had a chance encounter with two men at a nearby pub. Opting for different alleyways, Martha chose one path while Pearly ventured down another. Tragically, Martha never reappeared from the alley, forever intertwining her destiny with the eerie legacy of Gunthorpe Street.

Today, as you gaze down Gunthorpe Street towards the entrance of Whitechapel High Road, you can imagine the chilling scene that unfolded at George's Yard Buildings, serving as a reminder of the dark secrets that once permeated this historic alleyway.