Joseph Barnett (1858-1926)

Joseph Barnett was born and raised near Whitechapel in a broken home. The men in his family traditionally worked as fish porters. He met Mary Jane Kelly in April 1888, and the two decided to live to together shortly after. Barnett lost his job as a fish porter in July 1888, leaving Kelly with the option only to return to the streets to provide for herself. October 30, 1888, they had a fight and broke up, but Barnett still visited her each day until her murder on the 9th of November. After her murder, the police questioned Barnett for four hours and released him, satisfied, and did not consider him a suspect thereafter.

In the late 20th century however, a theory was developed by Bruce Paley that Barnett was indeed the Ripper, and began a killing spree to try to keep Kelly scared off the streets. Then, since he efforts didn’t work, and after a fight that split them up, Barnett finally killed her a jealous rage. Barnett does seem a likely candidate; he fits the description put forth by witnesses – 30 years old, 5’7", medium build, fair complexion, mustache – and his job as a fish porter, which involved gutting and boning fish, was a legal outlet for his destructive nature. He also fits a psychological profile put forth by the FBI, which included absence of a father figure and possibility of an embarrassing physical disability (Barnett showed signs of a speech impediment at the inquest).

The fact that Kelly was the last and most destroyed victim points to a specific connection the Ripper might have had with her. Also, she was the only victim killed at home, and the door was locked when she was found, so either the killer used a key or knew that the broken window near the door offered access to the doorknob. There is also the strange folding of Kelly’s clothing, indicating some kind of admiration or respect for her and her belongings, which Barnett clearly had – possibly to the point of madness.

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