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Thoughts on the Ipswich Ripper
Dec. 13th, 2006 04:57 pmThe developing story of the Ipswich Ripper reminds me of a few British crime novels I've read in the past two years. The remote British countryside, the serial killer who strikes in a manner never seen before (this one is the fastest-acting one in Britain's history, apparently), the families of the victims thrust into the media spotlight, even the pathos of one of the prostitutes interviewed by ITV last week showing up dead yesterday. It could have come straight out of an Ian Rankin or Lynda La Plante novel.
Last night, ITV news reported "directly from Ipswich's red light district". The tone of the presenter was incredibly sensationalist, highlighting the killer's intelligence, the fear in the local population and, disturbingly in my opinion, the fact that the killer would strike again. Over on BBC, the coverage centred on the families that were not aware their daughters were prostitutes, or the profiling of the killer (white male, in his 20s or 30s, with a history of violence but possibly no criminal record).
Much is being made of the killer's audacity in dumping the bodies near ongoing investigation sites - as if he's playing a mind game with the police and enjoying the coverage. Now, with all prostitutes staying home out of fear, some journalists are predicting that the next victim will be an "average" woman caught by the killer as she makes her way to a Christmas celebration. Again, the echoes of a crime novel come through, where the plot grows from the tension between the killer's audacity and the pressures on the police to capture him.
When Kevin and I first moved to Britain, two little girls disappeared in Soham, and their bodies were later found in a remote area, half-burnt. It was fascinating for me to see how much support the public gave to the investigation as well as the speed in which the culprits were caught. I have a feeling it will be the same with this story. We'll hear of an arrest soon, then follow through the papers the presentation of evidence, the trial and sentencing.
Last night, ITV news reported "directly from Ipswich's red light district". The tone of the presenter was incredibly sensationalist, highlighting the killer's intelligence, the fear in the local population and, disturbingly in my opinion, the fact that the killer would strike again. Over on BBC, the coverage centred on the families that were not aware their daughters were prostitutes, or the profiling of the killer (white male, in his 20s or 30s, with a history of violence but possibly no criminal record).
Much is being made of the killer's audacity in dumping the bodies near ongoing investigation sites - as if he's playing a mind game with the police and enjoying the coverage. Now, with all prostitutes staying home out of fear, some journalists are predicting that the next victim will be an "average" woman caught by the killer as she makes her way to a Christmas celebration. Again, the echoes of a crime novel come through, where the plot grows from the tension between the killer's audacity and the pressures on the police to capture him.
When Kevin and I first moved to Britain, two little girls disappeared in Soham, and their bodies were later found in a remote area, half-burnt. It was fascinating for me to see how much support the public gave to the investigation as well as the speed in which the culprits were caught. I have a feeling it will be the same with this story. We'll hear of an arrest soon, then follow through the papers the presentation of evidence, the trial and sentencing.
