Inside Peter Sutcliffe’s murder flat where Yorkshire Ripper claimed fourth kill

16 November 2023 , 13:37

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The flats where Sutcliffe murdered Patricia Atkinson are now derelict (Image: mediadrumimages/Kyle Urbex)

They were a series of murders that shocked Britain to the core and now pictures of a derelict block of flats were one of the victims was killed have emerged.

The Yorkshire Ripper brought fear to the streets of the UK between 1975 and 1980 when he went on a murderous rampage that saw him convicted of killing 13 women and attempting to murder seven others.

And pictures of the scene of his fourth killing, Patricia Atkinson, 32 – taken by British urban explorer, Matt Scott – still manage to chill to the bone, despite the block of flats in Oak Avenue, Bradford being in ruin.

The Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe killed Patricia Atkinson in a flat in the block (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Patricia Atkinson was Sutcliffe's fourth victim (Mirrorpix)

Matt took the pics for his Facebook page Lost Places and Forgotten Faces and said: "It was a very eerie and sad place to be, knowing what had happened in those flats. I had a very unpleasant feeling throughout the exploration. I was feeling very overwhelmed afterwards. I had another place nearby I wanted to check out, but instead I decided to visit Patricia's grave at the other side of the city."

Ex-lorry driver Sutcliffe used hammers, knives and screwdrivers to murder his victims and was dubbed the Yorkshire Ripper, in reference to the Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper. One photo Matt captured showed an empty hallway, dilapidated and dark, leading to Patricia's apartment.

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The hallway leading to Patricia's apartment is in a terrible state (mediadrumimages/Kyle Urbex)

The flat is covered in mould and broken glass is strewn everywhere (mediadrumimages/Kyle Urbex)

Another of the pictures showed a room in the apartment, murky and overgrown, peeled paint and debris clumped together on the floor. Patricia, who worked as a sex worker, had been out drinking in the Manningham area of Bradford when she was spotted by Sutcliffe and offered a ride home.

Upon arriving back at Patricia's flat, Sutcliffe used a claw hammer to murder her, leaving her to be found by a friend the next day. She was was buried at Scholemoor Cemetery, and Matt added: "I hope Patricia is in a better place and was able to find her peace."

The flat was a fairly cosy abode, but the murder made people think twice about living there (mediadrumimages/Kyle Urbex)

The flat was a once palatial place to stay but was smeared by its association with the murder in 1977. The future of the block was featured in a national TV programme. It is in private ownership, but In November 2010, eight homeless people, seven middle-aged men and a woman were rescued by local firefighters from the unoccupied flats when they inexplicably went on fire.

Those who were evacuated from the property, believed to be of Eastern European origin, were taken to hospital for precautionary checks. In 2020 an individual had a planning application to refurbish the building accepted but it's clear to see no action has been taken yet. His proposal of external works and site layout alterations to the existing residential apartment block was granted on June 9, 2020.

Sutcliffe died at University Hospital of North Durham aged 74 on November 13, 2020. He had been sentenced to 20 concurrent sentences of life imprisonment, which were converted to a whole life order in 2010. His death came after having previously returned to HMP Frankland following treatment for a suspected heart attack at the same hospital two weeks prior.

He had a number of underlying health problems, including obesity and diabetes. He reportedly refused treatment. A private funeral ceremony was held and Sutcliffe's body was cremated.

Paul Donald