DNA evidence has uncovered the long-sought identity of Jack the Ripper, attributing the notorious killings to Aaron Kosminski, more than 137 years after the gruesome murders terrified London. Historian and author Russell Edwards claims the breakthrough came through DNA obtained from a shawl associated with one of the Ripper’s victims, Catherine Eddowes. This shawl was purchased at auction by Edwards, who has since dedicated over two decades to researching the infamous serial killer.
The identify of Jack the Ripper was solidified through DNA analysis performed on the shawl, which contained blood matching both Eddowes’ descendants and Kosminski’s relatives. "He is no longer just a suspect. We can hold him, finally, to account for his terrible deeds. My search is over: Aaron Kosminski is Jack the Ripper," Edwards proclaimed, as reported by the BBC.
Kosminski, who worked as a barber in Whitechapel, was known to the police as a suspect during the investigation of the five infamous murders termed the “Canonical Five.” Yet, the authorities lacked sufficient evidence to detain him, and he ended up being admitted to an asylum, where he died in 1919.
Details surrounding the shawl are as fascinating as they are disturbing. It is believed to have been taken from the crime scene by a police officer after Eddowes’ murder, left unwashed for decades. The shawl was offered at auction in 2007, prompting Edwards to have it analyzed scientifically.
Dr. Jari Louhelainen, Senior Lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, was called upon to conduct the forensic testing. He uncovered various stains on the shawl which were initially identified as consistent with arterial blood spatter, but also included seminal fluid. Critical to the identification of Kosminski, Louhelainen performed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis, which compares genetic material across maternal lines to establish familial connections.
This mtDNA linked blood from the shawl to Karen Miller, Eddowes' great-great-great-granddaughter, who provided the sample, resulting in what Edwards described as "strong evidence" for the shawl’s authenticity. Miller declared, "What about the real name of the person who did this? Having the real person legally named in court which can address the evidence would be justice for the victims," reported by The Daily Mail.
Her sentiments reflect the growing consensus among descendants of the victims who feel ready for closure. The identities of the slain women—Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly—have been overshadowed by their killer’s historical infamy.
Support for declaring Kosminski as the murderer of Eddowes has also surfaced from Kosminski's own descendants. Amanda Poulos, his great-great-grandniece, expressed her openness to finding the truth surrounding the case.
Seeking justice, Russell Edwards has initiated legal avenues aiming to have Kosminski named legally as the murderer through the reopening of the case. This effort entails applying for a new legal inquiry, aiming to rectify what has long been regarded as one of history's most notorious cold cases. Edwards faced challenges before when the Attorney General rejected similar requests due to insufficient evidence, but advocates for the new inquiry believe the DNA findings warrant reconsideration.
Edwards maintains, "A second inquest is the only way of confirming what happened. We now have identified the true murderer with evidence to support his involvement, and we want justice to be served," as reported by The Independent.
The coroner for East London, Nadia Persaud, has stated her openness to re-examine the case, though she cautions it may not alter the original 1888 ruling of murder, aside from perhaps clarifying the perpetrator’s identity.
For many families affected by the historical tragedy, the possibility of finally holding Aaron Kosminski accountable provides much-desired closure. These developments mark what some are calling the end of a painful saga, reviving attention to the victims rather than just the killer himself.
The legacy of Jack the Ripper has drawn public fascination for decades. From news reports to documentaries, the case has been retold countless times, leaving many to ponder the reasons behind a killer's actions. With modern DNA technology now providing clarity, the conversation around Jack the Ripper may soon evolve—shifting the narrative from one of mystery surrounding the killer to one of justice for the victims.