The Atlanta Ripper

Dec 15, 2025

Uncover the chilling tale of the Atlanta Ripper, a faceless killer linked to at least twenty brutal murders of Black women in early 20th century Atlanta. Hear about the city's racial tensions and the media's neglect of victims. Delve into eyewitness accounts, police blunders, and the difficulty of solving the case despite several suspects. Explore community responses and the lingering impact of systemic racism on investigations. Join hosts as they reflect on the tragic failures that still leave these murders unresolved.

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INSIGHT

Media Framing Amplified Fear

The Atlanta Ripper label arose from media comparisons to Jack the Ripper amid real racial violence in Atlanta.
That press framing magnified fear without solving the murders or protecting Black residents.

INSIGHT

1906 Massacre Shaped The Climate

The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre escalated white resentment and terrorized Black communities.
That environment left Black Atlantans hypervigilant and undermined trust in authorities.

INSIGHT

Bias Delayed Recognition

White-owned papers initially minimized murders of Black women or misattributed causes like alcohol.
Sparse, biased coverage delayed recognition of a possible serial killer and hindered investigations.

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During the second decade of the twentieth century, an unidentified serial killer was believed to have operated in Atlanta, Georgia, brutally killing at least twenty Black woman. Due to the similarities between the Whitechapel victims and the victims in Atlanta, the Georgia press dubbed their killer “the Atlanta Ripper,” an anonymous monster whose presence held the city’s Black population in a grip of fear. For a period of roughly five years, the Atlanta Ripper killed with regularity on the city streets, slashing, mutilating, and otherwise brutalizing the bodies of the women they killed. Despite having at least six viable suspects, investigators were never able to conclusively identify the Atlanta Ripper and the murders remain unsolved.

References

Atlanta Constitution . 1912. "Negro woman slain; suspect arrested." Atlanta Constitution, January 21: 5.

Atlanta Constitution. 1912. "Jack the Ripper believed to be a modern Bluebeard with 12 wives as victims." Atlanta Constitution , August 11: 1.

Atlanta Journal. 1910. "Deaths." Atlanta Constitution, April 5: 10.

—. 1911. "Antoher negress killed; black butcher at work?" Atlanta Journal, June 16: 14.

—. 1911. "Black 'Jack the Ripper' slays another negress." Atlanta Journal, July 2: 7.

—. 1911. "Has 'Jack the Ripper' fallen into dragnet?" Atlanta Journal, July 13: 4.

—. 1912. "Jack the Ripper caught at last, say detectives." Atlanta Journal, August 10: 1.

—. 1911. "'Jack the Ripper' foiled in 8th attempt Saturday." Atlanta Journal, July 9: 3.

—. 1912. "Negro woman murdered just outside the city." Atlanta Journal, April 8: 20.

—. 1911. "One of the Ripper crimes is no longer a mystery." Atlanta Journal, August 4: 11.

—. 1911. "Rosa Trice foully murdered." Atlanta Journal, January 23: 9.

—. 1911. "Will "Jack the Ripper" claim eight victim this Saturday?" Atlanta Journal, July 8: 8.

—. 1911. "Young negro is held for 'Ripper's' crime." Atlanta Journal, July 12: 17.

Constitution, Atlanta. 1911. "Negro woman killed; no clew to slayer." Atlanta Constitution , May 29: 7.

Franklin Evening Star. 1912. "Nineteenth horrid crime of Atlanta's Jack the Ripper." Franklin Evening Star, April 9: 2.

New York Times. 1911. "Eight victims now of Atlanta Ripper." New York Times, July 3: 3.

—. 1906. "Rioting goes on, despite troops." New York Times, September 24: 1.

Wells, Jeffrey. 2010.

The Atlanta Ripper: The Unsolved Case of the Gate City's Most Infamous Murders. Cheltenham, UK: The History Press.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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