Jack the Ripper’s identity revealed?! Scientist claims to have solved the case after 136 years

For 136 years the identity of serial Killer Jack the Ripper has eluded everyone – but now – forensic scientist Russell Edwards has claimed to have found the culprit. He was also suggested as a suspect in Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries volume four.

Over the decades, the mysterious case of Jack the Ripper has enthralled us with wild conspiracy theories, true crime podcasts, and less-than-accurate portrayals in media ranging from Assassin’s Creed to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Suffice it to say we are all pretty obsessed.

In reality, Jack was a serial killer who began his reign of terror in Whitechapel on August 31 1888 with the brutal killing of Mary Ann Nichols. Over two months, he claimed the lives of Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly, but there has always been more speculation about his unreported crimes.

At the time, and largely due to a lack of forensic techniques, police were unable to locate Jack. The police commissioner and home secretary resigned following public backlash, and the case has captivated the UK ever since. But now, forensic scientist Russell Edwards has claimed he’s found the real identity of the killer.

Russell Edwards revealed Jack the Ripper’s real identity

Using mitochondrial DNA extracted from a piece of cloth which was believed to belong to Catherine Eddowes – Jack’s fourth victim – Russel Edwards was able to pinpoint two DNA matches: Catherine and Polish barber Aaron Kosminski.

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“It’s very difficult to put into words the elation I felt when I saw the 100 per cent DNA match. This brings closure and it’s a form of justice for the descendants”, Russell told The Sun. “He can’t be prosecuted because he’s dead, but this is the closest thing they can do. This man committed atrocities towards their ancestors, and we know it’s him and we want the courts to say, ‘Yes, you’re right’.”

The scientist has now hired a legal team to prove that Aaron Kosminski was at least responsible for Catherine’s brutal death in 1988. Aaron’s descendants have been working closely with Russell and even provided him with the DNA sample.

Who was Aaron Kosminski?

Credit: Russell Edwards

The barber, who was 23 at the time of the murders, was a Polish immigrant who resided in the Whitechapel area during Jack’s active period. As we learned in the Netflix show, he was a suspect at the time but police lacked the substantial evidence needed to put him behind bars.

At the time, Aaron was known for his erratic behaviour and battle with mental health issues that inevitably landed him in an asylum until his death in 1919. His hatred of women, particularly sex workers, was also well known.

Volume four of Unsolved Mysteries is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Featured image credit: Netflix