Over a 10-day period in December 2006, five women were found murdered near the town of Ipswich, about 80 miles north-east of London, England. The women, Gemma Adams, 25; Tania Nicol, 19; Anneli Alderton, 24; Paula Clennell 24; and Annette Nicholls, 29; all worked as prostitutes in Ipswich.
Whenever prostitutes in England are killed, images of Jack The Ripper come to mind. But while the Ripper ripped his victims, it seems whoever killed the Ipswich five was content merely to strangle. All were found naked. Two were posed in a “crucifix” shape. Some of the victims were found in water. Some had been missing for weeks before being discovered.
The accused in the case is 49 year-old forklift driver and resident of Ipswich, Steve Wright. Wright, who lived in a flat with his girlfriend in the red-light district where the women worked, admits having sex with four of the victims — which would explain why his DNA was found on their bodies — and having met with the fifth, but denies murdering any of them.
Wright’s trial is expected to last into February.