One of history's biggest unsolved crimes just got solved
story time!
It’s Friday, and what better way to kick off the weekend than with a centuries-old mystery finally getting solved?
You’ve probably heard of Jack the Ripper, the most infamous serial killer in history. But what if I told you that after 136 years, we might actually know who he was?
This isn’t just another wild theory.
So, grab your coffee (or something stronger), because we’re diving into the dark alleyways of Victorian London to unmask the legend once and for all.
The Backstory
In 1888, fear gripped the streets of Whitechapel.
Women were being brutally murdered, their bodies mutilated with surgical precision.
The killer? A shadowy figure who would become known as Jack the Ripper.
The five victims, now called the “canonical five,” were Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly. Their deaths shocked London, not just because of their brutality, but because the killer was never caught.
The case became an obsession.
Newspapers went wild, theories spread like wildfire, and even today, “Ripperologists” still argue over the identity of the murderer. Hundreds of suspects were named - royals, doctors, and even famous artists.
But no one could prove who Jack really was.
How did a 136-year-old cold case get cracked?
Forensic scientist Russell Edwards found a key piece of evidence hiding in plain sight - a bloodstained shawl belonging to one of the victims, Catherine Eddowes.
This wasn’t just any old relic.
Edwards used mitochondrial DNA analysis to test the shawl against known descendants of the main suspect, Aaron Kosminski, a 23-year-old barber who lived in Whitechapel at the time of the murders.
The result?
A 100% DNA match. According to Edwards, this is the final piece of the puzzle.
Kosminski was suspected back in 1888, but without forensic evidence, he was never charged. Now, science has caught up, and the Ripper’s identity may finally be confirmed.
So, does this mean the case is officially closed?
Not exactly.
While the DNA evidence is strong, some experts argue that contamination over the years could have influenced the results.
Others believe more forensic testing is needed to declare a definitive answer.
Still, if Kosminski were Jack the Ripper, it would change how we view one of history’s greatest unsolved crimes.
More importantly, it shows how modern technology can breathe new life into old mysteries.
If DNA can unmask the Ripper, what other historical secrets might we uncover next?
Either way, this revelation adds another layer to the legend. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, one thing’s for sure: Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror still haunts us, even 130 years later.
These are the top movies featuring Jack The Ripper
1. Time After Time (1979)
H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) actually builds a time machine, but before he can use it, Jack the Ripper (David Warner) steals it and escapes to modern-day San Francisco.
Wells follows, leading to a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase where the Ripper thrives in a violent world while Wells struggles to adapt.
It’s got action, suspense, romance, and one of the most original Ripper concepts ever put on screen.
2. Murder by Decree (1979)
If anyone could solve the Jack the Ripper case, it’s Sherlock Holmes. Murder by Decree pits Christopher Plummer’s Holmes and James Mason’s Watson against a sinister conspiracy involving the Ripper, Freemasons, and the British government.
Unlike the usual detective fare, this one leans into horror, with unsettling crime scenes and a Holmes who’s more emotionally shaken than usual.
It’s gripping, well-acted, and a must-watch for mystery fans.
3. From Hell (2001)
Johnny Depp stars as Inspector Abberline, a detective chasing Jack the Ripper while battling his own demons (and opium-induced visions).
Based on Alan Moore’s graphic novel, From Hell is a stylish, bloody, and conspiracy-filled take on the infamous murders.
It’s dark, twisted, and keeps you hooked until the bitter end.
4. Man in the Attic (1953)
Jack Palance plays a creepy, secretive pathologist who rents an attic in London, only for women to start turning up dead.
Unlike other versions of The Lodger, this one doesn’t play games: the lodger is definitely the killer.
Palance’s eerie performance makes this one of the best classic Ripper films, ending on a haunting note.
5. Shanghai Knights (2003)
The Shanghai Noon sequel sends Chan and Wilson’s characters to Victorian London, where they run into legendary figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charlie Chaplin, and yes - Jack the Ripper.
But don’t expect horror here; it’s all action-comedy, with the Ripper’s fate taking an unexpectedly hilarious turn.
If you love fun, genre-blending films, this one delivers.
So, that’s it for today. If you found this edition interesting and entertaining, please drop a like and follow us for more!
See ya👋
