Joseph Lawende | |
---|---|
Born | 9 February 1847 |
Died | 9 January 1925 | (aged 77)
Nationality | Polish |
Occupation | Cigarette salesman |
Known for | Witness to a murder by Jack the Ripper |
Spouse |
Annie Lowenthal (m. 1873) |
Children | 12 |
Parent(s) | Hirsch and Zirle Lawende |
Joseph Lawende (9 February 1847 – 9 January 1925) was a Polish-born British cigarette salesman who is believed to have witnessed serial killer Jack the Ripper in the company of his fourth victim, Catherine Eddowes, approximately nine minutes before the discovery of her body on 30 September 1888.[1]
Lawende provided a detailed description of the Ripper to investigators; he was later described by the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Robert Anderson, as "the only person who ever had a good view of the murderer."[2][3]