Mary Ann Nichols was found murdered in Buck’s Row, Whitechapel, in the early hours of 31 August 1888.

Nichols, commonly known as Polly, was 43. Shortly before 3.45 a.m., two carmen found her body near a stable entrance. Her throat had been cut and her abdomen mutilated. Police and a doctor were called to the scene.

Nichols had been living in common lodging houses in London’s East End. Her murder came during a period in which violent attacks on women in Whitechapel were already causing concern. However, the sequence later associated with Jack the Ripper had not yet been established.

Four further women were murdered between September and November in cases generally grouped with that of Nichols: Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly. Together they became known as the five canonical victims of Jack the Ripper.

The name ‘Jack the Ripper’ appeared later, after letters claiming to have been written by the murderer were sent during the investigation. Nichols therefore died before either the name or the familiar idea of a single notorious killer had developed.

Despite an extensive police investigation, the murderer was never identified.