It was not until 2004 that police linked all 11 murders through DNA evidence to the same person, despite stories that kept people afraid to walk alone well beyond the 15 years he was active. Based on evidence, police believed the killer was between the ages 33 to 40.
Now convinced that they were dealing with a serial killer, police offered a reward of 200,000 yuan ($30,000) for information.
“The suspect has a sexual perversion and hates women,” police said at the time. “He's reclusive and unsociable, but patient.”
The killer earned the Jack the Ripper nickname because he often mutilated his victims. His first known victim in 1988 was 23-year-old woman. Her body was found in her home with 26 wounds.
According to media reports, the killer seemed to follow a pattern. He would stalk his victims during the day, especially women who lived alone, and targeted women who wore the color red. He would then follow them home, rape them, then kill them, often by slitting their throats.