More than a century ago, the streets of London were gripped by fear as a notorious serial killer, known as ‘Jack the Ripper,’ claimed the lives of at least five women. Today, this infamous case may be closer to resolution thanks to groundbreaking DNA research. The Ripper eluded justice back in the late 1800s, leaving victims now remembered as the ‘Canonical Five’: Elizabeth Stride, Mary Jane Kelly, Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, and Catherine Eddowes.
Throughout history, countless theories have emerged, with ‘Ripperologists’ proposing various suspects, from commoners to members of royalty. Despite these claims, the killer’s identity remained shrouded in mystery until now. Author Russell Edwards, who has dedicated years to uncovering the Ripper’s true identity, acquired a critical piece of evidence in 2007 – a shawl belonging to victim Catherine Eddowes.
DNA tests on the shawl revealed blood matching Eddowes’ descendants and seminal fluid linked to Aaron Kosminski, a potential suspect and Polish barber who immigrated to England in the 1880s. Edwards claims his investigation conclusively identifies Kosminski as the Ripper in his book, “Naming Jack the Ripper: The Definitive Reveal.” He cites police opinion of Kosminski’s alleged hatred of women and homicidal tendencies.
However, some experts challenge Edwards’ findings, citing the potential for contamination over the years and possible scientific errors. Whether the evidence is definitive or not remains a topic of debate, but this discovery reignites interest in one of history’s most chilling criminal puzzles.
