In 1681, a mystery attacker who vanished instantly terrorized London

In sixteen eighty-one, women walking alone through the streets around London's Fleet Street fell victim to a mysterious attacker. He would strike with such speed—grabbing his victims, bending them over, and vanishing so completely—that Londoners began to believe he possessed supernatural powers. Known as Whipping Tom, the attacker terrorized the area before disappearing into the night. According to Boing Boing, he was never caught, and the legend grew darker with each account of his speed and elusiveness.

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