Vera Millward - Yorkshire Ripper Victim

Vera Millward was a forty-year-old mother of seven children who had undergone three major operations in 1976 and 1977.

Vera only had one lung and suffered from chronic stomach pains.

Vera Millward worked as a prostitute on the streets of Moss Side and Hulme in Manchester.

Vera had a regular client who she would see on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesday, 16th May, 1978 the regular client didn't show. She decided to head to the streets to look for business. Just before 11pm Vera was picked up by Peter Sutcliffe in his red Ford Corsair.

They drove to a parking area in the grounds of Manchester Royal Infirmary which was regularly used by prostitutes and their clients.

Once again Sutcliffe attacked his victim with hammer blows to the head. He then undressed her and slashed her stomach with such force that her intestines were exposed. He then repeatedly stabbed her in the back. He then went on to puncture her right eyelid.

Before leaving the scene Sutcliffe placed Vera's body on a rubbish pile, face down with her arms under her body and her legs out straight. Sutcliffe placed Vera's shoes neatly on her body.

Workers tending the hospital's gardens found Vera's body at 8am the next morning. At first they thought Vera was a tailor's dummy. On closer inspection they realised it was a human body.

Tyre tracks found at the scene were once again analysed and were found to match those at the scenes of both Irene Richardson and Marilyn Moore.

This investigation came under the control of Detective Chief Superintendent Ridgway, who was still hunting for the murderer of Jean Jordan. An incident room was established in Manchester to service the police investigation.