Yorkshire Ripper serial killer Peter Sutcliffe has died
It has been announced this morning that the serial killer – known as the Yorkshire Ripper – has died after contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).
Peter Sutcliffe, 74, was one of the UK’s most notorious prisoners, having murdered at least 13 women across the north of England in the late 1970s.
He was jailed for 20 concurrent sentences of life imprisonment back in 1981.
Mr Sutcliffe was labelled the ‘Yorkshire Ripper’ by press at the time – having been found guilty of murdering women across the north including Leeds, Bradford and Manchester – and his prison term had been increased to a whole life sentence in 2010.
He was being held at HMP Frankland in County Durham.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that Mr Sutcliffe died at University Hospital of North Durham, three miles from where he was an inmate.
He was sent there after developing COVID-19, but is understood to have refused treatment for the virus.
The 74-year-old had previously returned to prison after being treated for a suspected heart attack two weeks ago – but was forced to go back to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.
He had a number of health problems, including diabetes and obesity.
At the time of writing, Sutcliffe’s cause of death has not officially been confirmed, but will be investigated by the coroner in due course.