Jack the Ripper in one of his notorious slashing attacks at London's East End in 1888
After he was released from prison in the U.S. — several people he had allegedly operated on had died — the Scottish-born doctor returned home to the U.K. and just kept on killing. Cream seemed to specialize in murdering both prostitutes and wealthy members of society, but his despicable behavior caught up with him when he tried to frame two fellow doctors. He wrote to the police accusing the doctors of killing several women, including one named Matilda Clover. But by providing so many details about Clover's death, Cream inadvertently revealed that it was, in fact, he who had killed her, and he was hanged in 1892. In a final twist, some believe Cream's final words were "I am Jack ...," a reference to notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper. But it was probably a case of wishful thinking, as records show Cream was still in prison in the U.S. at the time of the Ripper's murders.