REVIEW: The Ripper (2020): A True crime series done well.

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Our journey begins in the 1970's United Kingdom. Wilma McCann, a 28 years old divorcee, mother of 4 was found in a field close to her residence in Leeds, England badly beaten, stabbed and dead. Her children fast asleep while the carnage took place nearby.

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Snap back to present day with one of her children explaining the day when the police came into their life and informed that his 'mum was taken to heaven and they weren't going to see her ever again' in his own words.

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We find out she was struck twice on the back of the head and stab wounds that indicated severe savagery for her killer.

Apparently she left a club that night and threw herself in front of a car making it come to a screeching halt. A ride to Chapeltown is what she wanted. The individual obliged.

Chapeltown was the once the beacon of Leeds but is now rundown. The money has left and an unemployment rate of 21% was the state of affairs. The landscape changed and a large immigrant population were the dominant residents. Police presence increased in the area and so too did mistrust amongst the residents. Any sort of investigation was going to be a problem. We soon learn the media is stating there is a large number of prostitutes in the area and it's considered the place to go for these services.

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Wilma's body was found very close to this district. Almost immediately the link was made between her discovery location and the red light district. We find out that she was in fact a 'good time girl' as the papers put it at the time.

This is where the story begins. Numerous more victims start to appear and the police know they have a large problem. Mostly prostitutes from their assumptions. All killed.

Soon enough, we find out there are actually survivors who are able to describe what happened to them. The story unfolds more and more.

A tape is received by the authorities with the actual killer taunting the police. The individual that has been dubbed the The Ripper is using similar verbiage to the actual Jack The Ripper.

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Twists and turns abound and this is a good point to stop the overall description of the series. Great pacing and cliffhangers on each episode keep the viewer glued to their seats. Once again, I consumed this series in one sitting and it flew by very quickly.

Interviews with the actual police services, victims and those associated with this tragedy litter this series in what has been called the largest manhunts in British history.

Rotten tomatoes critic's rating is at 81% with an audience score of 71%. A solid 7 from me and riveting if you're into true crime documentaries.

All images captured by myself from the original source.

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