THERESA UNWIN - JACK THE RIPPER CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTIM - CROOKES, SHEFFIELD OCTOBER 1878
From The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent dated 25th October
1888
An inquiry touching the death of Theresa Unwin ages 52 years the wife of Mr
William Unwin of 252 Western Road Crokes who committed suicide on Monday morning
by cutting her throat was held yesterday by Mr Dossy Wightman at the Cobden View
Hotel Crookes. The circumstances of the case are particularly painful. The
deceasedhad been in a weak state of health for a long time consequent upon an
attack of typhoid fever and on Monday morning apparently during a fit of
depression she went into the dining room and cut her throat in a terrible manner
with a carving knife
Mr William Unwin having given evidence of identification said that two years ago
his wife suffered from a severe attack of typhoid fever and since then she had
never been in the best of health. Lately she had become weak and had been
attended to by Dr Cooke. She was at times low spirited, but on Sunday she seemed
alright and ate heartily. About half past two on the following morning, she woke
and said that she had a very nasty dream and thought Jack the Ripper was after
her. She then seemed very upset and at her request he warmed her some beef tea.
She also ate a piece of cake and some grapes. afterwards going to sleep. About
eight o clock one of his sons came into the room and asked where his mother was.
He saw that she was not in bed and at once got up and got dressed. His son who
had in the meantime gone downstairs found the deceased lying on the floor in the
dining room with her throat cut. She was quite dead, the windpipe having been
severed. The deed had been done with a carving knife which was close at hand.
The deceased had never threatened to commit suicide and she was generally very
cheerful.
John William Unwin son of the last witness also gave evidence as to the finding
of his mothers body, and the jury returned a verdict of "suicide whilst
temporarily insane"
The Cobden View as it is today - the site of Theresa Unwin's Inquest
Notes - the grave is in Burngreave Cemetery, Sheffield
UNWIN, John (Gentleman, age 73).
Died at Brunswick Road; Buried on July 15, 1877 in General ground; Grave Number
39, Section E3 of Burngreave Cemetery, Sheffield.
UNWIN, Mary (Widow, age 84).
Died at Brunswick Road; Buried on August 1, 1885 in General ground; Grave Number
39, Section E3 of Burngreave Cemetery, Sheffield. Remarks: 25381.
UNWIN, Theresa (wife of William Unwin, age 52).
Died at 252 Weston Rd; Buried on October 25, 1888 in General ground; Grave
Number 39, Section E3 of Burngreave Cemetery, Sheffield. Remarks: 25381.
UNWIN, William (Gentleman, age 76). Died at 271 Weston Rd; Buried on April 18,
1907 in General ground; Grave Number 39, Section E3 of Burngreave Cemetery,
Sheffield.
Parent or Next of Kin if Available: . Remarks: Officiating Minister, C G Holt.
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