Yvonne Pearson - Yorkshire Ripper Victim

Yvonne Pearson left home in Heaton on Saturday, 21st January, 1978, to have a few drinks and to possibly earn some money from prostitution.

At 9.30pm, Yvonne left the Flying Dutchman public house, which is on Leeds Road. Yvonne headed towards Lumb Lane in the heart of Bradford's red-light area.

Yvonne was approached by Peter Sutcliffe and they agreed on the price, £5. Sutcliffe drove Yvonne to waste ground close to Drummond's Mill. Sutcliffe's father worked at Drummond's Mill.

As they got out of the car Yvonne was hit on the head with either a lump of masonry or with a heavy walling hammer. Sutcliffe was briefly interrupted by another car. He attempted to suffocate Yvonne by forcing sofa stuffing down her throat.

Once they were alone again Sutcliffe pulled down Yvonne's trousers, bared her breasts, and started kicking her about the body. He also jumped up and down on her chest, breaking ribs. Sutcliffe then covered the body with soil, rubble and turf. Finally he dragged the sofa over the top.

Once news of Yvonne's disappearance hit the news, the police played down the possibility of Yvonne Pearson being a Yorkshire Ripper victim. Her body hadn't been slashed, and her head injuries could have been from masonry, rather than a hammer. The chest and rib injuries were also unique to this murder.

Yvonne's body wasn't discovered for two months - finally being found on 26th March, 1978.

Yvonne Pearson had two young children: Colette was aged two, Lorraine just five months.

The crime was investigated by Detective Chief Superintendent Lapish of the Western Crime Area and another incident room was established at Bradford. Little evidence was forthcoming in connection with this crime, largely because of the long time lapse between the murder and the discovery of the body.