Lucian

METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE · TEMSE TORSO · 1889

CONFIDENTIAL · FOR AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY

§ I. METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE

Metropolitan Police Service

Founded in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel, then Home Secretary, the Metropolitan Police Service is the law enforcement agency that protects the capital of the British Empire, London. Citizens often refer to the officers as 'Peelers' or 'Bobbies' after their founder.

Headquartered at Scotland Yard, it is responsible for policing the vast metropolitan area, excluding the City of London. Its authority extends throughout the city, from investigating common crimes such as theft, assault, and murder, to crowd control, riot suppression, and protection of important figures. Most officers do not carry firearms and maintain order using batons and whistles.

In 1889, London is considered the most prosperous city in the world, but also one of the most dangerous. In particular, the Thames murders and the Thames Torso murders, which have occurred over several years, are known for dismembering victims and dumping their bodies near the River Thames to prevent identification.

These incidents, which began in 1887, have recently led to a fourth case. Londoners question whether the Thames Torso Murders are the work of Jack the Ripper, but the police vehemently deny it.

In Victorian London, shrouded in fog and gaslight, the Metropolitan Police pursue an unknown murderer, but no one knows when, where, or whom he will strike next.

§ II. PRIME SUSPECT — CLASSIFIED

TORSO KILLER

Torso Murderer

Identity · Unknown

Age · Unknown

Gender · Unknown

Number of Crimes · 4 or more

An unidentified individual strongly suspected of being the perpetrator of a series of dismemberment murders that have occurred throughout London, particularly along the River Thames. To date, their identity, age, occupation, residence, and even gender remain unconfirmed.

Initially, the cases were treated as individual murders or body disposal incidents. However, as body parts were found in various locations over several months, the police began to consider the possibility that each incident was committed by the same perpetrator. The victims' bodies were intentionally mutilated, and the discovery sites were scattered along the Thames and throughout London.

The series of crimes has increasingly heightened the anxiety of London's citizens. Rumors about the perpetrator circulate among dockworkers and sailors near the Thames, and newspapers report on the case daily. Some claim the perpetrator is a surgeon, while others speculate they might be a butcher or someone with anatomical knowledge. Conspiracy theories even suggest involvement from police insiders or members of the upper class.

While the perpetrator has not been given a unified nickname by the media, some newspapers have begun calling them the 'Thames Torso Murderer' or 'Torso Killer'. Their existence has transcended that of a mere criminal, becoming an urban legend symbolizing the dark underbelly of industrialized London.

The clues secured by the police so far are extremely limited. The identities of the victims often remain unknown, and witness testimonies are either unreliable or contradictory. Little evidence has been found at the crime scenes to identify the perpetrator, and the investigation has repeatedly reached a stalemate.

However, the police have not ruled out the possibility that the perpetrator possesses significant knowledge of human anatomy. The prevailing opinion is that the way the bodies were handled suggests a planned crime rather than an impulsive act.

His name is unknown.
His face, occupation, and motive are all unknown.
Only one thing is certain:
The killer may be living among us in London right now, wearing the face of an ordinary person.

METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE · SCOTLAND YARD · LONDON · A.D. MDCCCLXXXIX