The chilling question, “Is Peter Sutcliffe Still Alive?”, lingers in the minds of many, decades after the reign of terror inflicted by the notorious Yorkshire Ripper. Peter Sutcliffe, a name synonymous with fear and brutality, was responsible for the murder of 13 women and the attempted murder of seven others between 1975 and 1980. For those seeking to understand the fate of this infamous serial killer, the answer is definitive: Peter Sutcliffe is no longer alive.
Peter Sutcliffe’s Death: Confirmed and Concluded
Peter Sutcliffe died on November 13, 2020, at the age of 74. His death occurred at the University Hospital of North Durham, bringing an end to the life of a man who had cast a dark shadow over Britain for years. While his death may bring a sense of closure for some, it also prompted an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his final days within the prison system.
Peter Sutcliffe in a somber pose, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the health issues he faced before his death.
Independent Report Sheds Light on Sutcliffe’s Final Days
An independent report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Sue McAllister, was conducted to investigate the death of Peter Sutcliffe, who had legally changed his name to Peter Coonan during his imprisonment. The report aimed to determine the quality of care Sutcliffe received in prison and the events leading up to his death.
The findings of the report concluded that Peter Sutcliffe contracted Covid-19 while he was in hospital, not within the prison environment itself. This detail clarifies the location of infection and provides insight into the potential risks associated with hospital visits for inmates. Furthermore, the report confirmed that the healthcare Sutcliffe received in prison was comparable to the standards expected in the wider community.
However, the Ombudsman’s report also raised concerns regarding the delays in returning Sutcliffe to prison after his numerous hospital appointments. Another critical point of scrutiny was the considerable time it took for prison officers to obtain authorization to remove Sutcliffe’s restraints while he was gravely ill in the hospital.
McAllister emphasized the delicate balance the Prison Service must strike: ensuring public safety when prisoners are escorted outside of prison, while also upholding humane treatment for those in custody. The report highlighted that it took four hours to get permission to remove Sutcliffe’s restraints on November 12, the day before his death, even when his terminal condition was evident. Even after approval, a further hour passed before the restraints were actually removed.
A memorial image displaying photos of the victims of the Yorkshire Ripper, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of his crimes.
The Yorkshire Ripper’s Reign of Terror and Imprisonment
Peter Sutcliffe’s name became infamous during the late 1970s for a series of brutal murders that terrorized communities in Yorkshire and North-West England. Convicted in 1981 for the murder of 13 women and the attempted murder of seven more, Sutcliffe was initially sentenced to life imprisonment.
He spent three decades at Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility, due to his paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis. In 2016, he was moved to HMP Frankland in County Durham, a prison for maleCategory A and high-risk prisoners, where he remained until his death.
Throughout his imprisonment, Sutcliffe suffered from a range of health issues, including heart problems, type 2 diabetes, and ongoing paranoid schizophrenia. These pre-existing conditions contributed to his vulnerability when he contracted Covid-19.
The Deterioration of Sutcliffe’s Health and Final Hospitalization
According to the report, Sutcliffe’s health began to decline noticeably in late October 2020. He reported feeling “unwell and very dizzy” to a prison nurse on October 27. The following day, he was hospitalized to have a pacemaker fitted. During this hospital stay, he underwent two Covid-19 tests.
Upon his return to prison on November 4, Sutcliffe tested positive for Covid-19. The Ombudsman’s report indicates that “it therefore appears that Mr Coonan contracted Covid-19 in hospital.” Despite being offered the opportunity to shield in April 2020 by prison staff, Sutcliffe had declined.
In the days leading up to his death, Sutcliffe’s condition worsened. Prison staff observed him coughing persistently and vomiting. He was briefly hospitalized again on November 8 and 9 due to concerns about his dangerously low oxygen levels. On November 10, following discussions between the prison GP and a hospital consultant, it was decided that Sutcliffe should be readmitted to the hospital.
Peter Sutcliffe’s health continued to decline rapidly, and he passed away at 01:45 GMT on November 13, 2020.
The University Hospital of North Durham, the location where Peter Sutcliffe’s life came to an end in November 2020.
Closure and Communication Concerns
Sue McAllister’s report acknowledged that prison staff appropriately notified Sutcliffe’s next of kin about his deteriorating health and when his death became imminent. However, the report expressed disappointment that prison staff acted as intermediaries for personal messages between Sutcliffe and his family, rather than facilitating direct communication.
The Ombudsman recommended that the prison governor should ensure that staff consider enabling seriously or terminally ill prisoners in hospital to have direct contact with their loved ones, potentially through phone or video calls.
An inquest previously concluded that Peter Sutcliffe died of natural causes. With the release of this independent report, a more complete picture emerges regarding the final days of the Yorkshire Ripper, definitively answering the question: Peter Sutcliffe is not still alive, and the details surrounding his death are now a matter of public record and scrutiny.
