 After the murder of Nichols in early September , the Manchester Guardian reported that : " Whatever information may be in the possession of the police they deem it necessary to keep secret ... It is believed their attention is particularly directed to ... a notorious character known as ' Leather Apron ' . " Journalists were frustrated by the unwillingness of the CID to reveal details of their investigation to the public , and so resorted to writing reports of questionable veracity . Imaginative descriptions of " Leather Apron " appeared in the press , but rival journalists dismissed these as " a mythical outgrowth of the reporter 's fancy " . John Pizer , a local Jew who made footwear from leather , was known by the name " Leather Apron " and was arrested , even though the investigating inspector reported that " at present there is no evidence whatsoever against him " . He was soon released after the confirmation of his alibis . 
