A new claim suggests that the infamous serial killer’s identity has finally been revealed. According to new forensic analysis, Jack the Ripper identity revealed may now point to Aaron Kosminsk, a Polish immigrant who lived in London during the time of the 1888 Whitechapel murders. According to historian Russell Edwards, forensic testing on a shawl linked to one of the Ripper’s victims provides the strongest evidence yet of the killer’s identity.

Who Was Jack the Ripper?

Jack the Ripper is the unidentified figure behind a series of brutal murders that took place in London’s Whitechapel district in 1888. The killer is believed to have murdered at least five women, Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly, often referred to as the “canonical five.” The victims were all prostitutes, and their bodies were found with severe mutilations, including throat slashes and organ removal, suggesting a level of anatomical knowledge. The gruesome nature of the crimes and the inability of law enforcement to capture the killer turned the case into one of history’s most notorious unsolved mysteries.

Jack the Ripper Identity Revealed? DNA Links Kosminski to the Crime Scene

Edwards acquired a shawl in 2007, believing it to have come from the crime scene of Catherine Eddowes, one of the Ripper’s known victims. Working with forensic scientists, he arranged for DNA testing, which allegedly found a 100% match between mitochondrial DNA on the shawl and a living descendant of Kosminski’s sister.

Kosminski, a barber who emigrated from Poland to London in 1881, had long been a suspect in the case. Police at the time reportedly had suspicions about him but lacked the forensic evidence to make an arrest. He was later institutionalized in 1891 and remained in asylums until his death in 1919.

Efforts to Confirm the Findings

Edwards is now seeking legal recognition of Kosminski as Jack the Ripper, requesting an inquest from Britain’s High Court to formally declare him as the killer. Some of Eddowes’ descendants, along with members of Kosminski’s family, have expressed support, believing this could finally bring closure to one of history’s most infamous cold cases.

However, skepticism remains. Critics argue that the provenance of the shawl is uncertain, raising concerns over possible contamination over the years. Others point out that mitochondrial DNA, while useful for identifying maternal relatives, cannot conclusively confirm an individual as a murderer.

While debate continues, this latest development has reignited interest in one of the most enduring mysteries in true crime history. Whether Kosminski will be officially named as Jack the Ripper remains to be seen.