Researcher Claims Jack the Ripper Identified With 100% DNA Match

The terrifying, brutal murders of Jack the Ripper have been the most infamous, chilling cold cases for the 137 years.

The killer is believed to have murdered at least five women, often referred to as the "canonical five", all of whom were prostitutes.

Until now, while there have been numerous theories through the years about the true identity of Jack the Ripper, the sadistic killer has never been identified.

Now, researcher Russell Edwards claims that he has a 100% DNA match proving the true identity of Jack the Ripper.

Who Were Jack The Ripper's Victims?

Active mostly between August and November 1888, the killer known only as Jack the Ripper viciously murdered 5 women in Whitechapel, a poor and crime-ridden area in London’s East End.

Jack the Ripper's victims were typically attacked late at night, their throats were slashed, and some had organs removed.

Also known as the "canonical five" Jack the Ripper's 5 known victims are Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly.

The killer allegedly sent taunting letters to the press and police, including the infamous "Dear Boss" letter, which first used the name "Jack the Ripper."

Jack The Ripper Identified

Historian Russell Edwards has recently publicly announced that using DNA technology, he has identified the true identity of Jack the Ripper with 100% accuracy.

According to Edwards, Jack the Ripper was 23-year-old Polish barber Aaron Kosminski.

From people.com -

"Edwards claimed that Aaron Kosminski — a Polish barber who was 23 at the time of the murders — is the Ripper based on what he said is a 100% match with DNA found on the attire piece, he told Today Australia in a Feb. 1 interview.

Kosminski was a suspect in the original investigation, but was never arrested."

The attire piece Edwards is referring to is a shawl taken from the scene of Catherine Eddowes' 1888 murder.

Edwards says that Kominski suffered from schizophrenia and was admitted to an asylum for a time.

Interestingly, Kominski was a barber. In the 1800s, barbers were known as "barber-surgeons" and had very good anatomical knowledge, a skill investigators have always persisted the murderer possessed.

While Russell Edwards claims this DNA breakthrough is a definitive positive ID proving Jack the Ripper is Aaron Kosminski, others say "not so fast".

From newsbreak.com -

"Here’s the issue: Edwards used mitochondrial DNA in his testing. Unlike nuclear DNA, which is unique to an individual, mtDNA is passed down unchanged through the maternal line.

This means that while the DNA on the shawl could match a descendant of Kosminski’s family, it could also match any number of people from the same maternal lineage. In other words, it’s circumstantial at best."

There's also an issue of contamination. The shawl Edwards tested was not stored as evidence for well over a century.

The shawl has reportedly been touched and handled by countless people through the years and even exposed to the elements.

Without what is called a clear chain of custody, some say it’s impossible to positively determine when the DNA found was deposited or who is actually belongs to.

You can read more over at people.com and newsbreak.com.