Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe almost blind and in a wheelchair when he died from Covid at 74
THE Yorkshire Ripper was almost blind and in a wheelchair when he died after contracting coronavirus, his inquest confirmed today.
Peter Sutcliffe, 74, was diagnosed with Covid-19 shortly before he passed away at the University Hospital of North Durham on Friday, November 13.
Coroner's officer Sharon Carr confirmed his cause of death as coronavirus as well as diabetes and heart disease.
Before the hearing in Crook, Co Durham, began the assistant senior coroner Crispin Oliver paid tribute to his victims and passed on his "solidarity and support".
The inquest was told that Sutcliffe’s ex-wife Sonia was his next of kin and the serial killer, who was serving life in top security Frankland for 13 murders, was identified by a police officer after his death.
Detective Inspector Claire Lambert, of Durham Police, said they were made aware that Sutcliffe was "seriously ill" when he was taken to hospital.
She said: "On November 10 we were first made aware that Mr Sutcliffe had been transferred to the University Hospital of North Durham and from that point, prison officers made a record of his movements.
"It was reported to us that he had been seriously ill and over a period of weeks spent a lot of time in medical care before being transferred to the hospital.
"Mr Sutcliffe had a pacemaker fitted, was almost blind and used a wheelchair.
"We first became aware of his death after a call from prison on November 13. When somebody dies, an investigation will occur as a matter of course.”
RIPPER'S DEATH
The officer confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
She added: "There was nothing untoward, there were no documents indicating any violence, there were no injuries on his body.
"There was no third party involvement or any suspicious circumstances."
The inquest was adjourned until next February.
He murdered at least 13 women between 1975 and 1980 and spoke the chilling words to a cop who helped bring him to justice.
It's long been thought the Ripper killed more women - with one ex-cop saying the true death toll could be more than 40.
Sutcliffe carried out a terrifying killing spree in the north of England, often targeting young and vulnerable sex workers.
He was finally caught in January, 1981, after being stopped for having false number plates.
Just four months later he was handed 20 life terms at the Old Bailey for the sickening crimes.
Sutcliffe was taken from Frankland to University Hospital of North Durham on October 28, following a suspected heart attack.
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After five nights on a cardiac ward, he was discharged back to jail, where he tested positive for Covid-19 and was placed in isolation.
Sutcliffe started “deteriorating rapidly” last Wednesday, before dying alone.
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