While there are many theories as to who Jack the Ripper actually was, his identity remains unknown to this day. His first victim is believed to be Mary Ann Nichols. She was killed in August of 1888. His last known victim was Mary Ann Kelly who died in November the same year. "There are five victims that have historically been "generally accepted" as victims of Jack the Ripper. These five are often refered to as the "canonical" victims. But there were many other grisly murders that came before and after these canonical five which some theorists over the years have argued should be included as genuine victims of Jack the Ripper" (casebook.com). Jack the Ripper maintains an air of mystery and intrigue even today due to the fact that no one knows who he is for sure or how many people he killed.
He is also a point of interest for many scientists and forensic specialists. In the past few months alone, two men, by the names of Jari Louhelainenand and Russell Edwards (a scientist and amateur historian, respectively) claimed to have identified Jack the Ripper as Polish immigrant, Aaron Kosminski. Claims like this are made quite often, however, this particular assertion went viral and was thought to be canonical by many (nbcnews.com). However, "The scientist, Jari Louhelainen, is said to have made an "error of nomenclature" when using a DNA database to calculate the chances of a genetic match" (independent.co.uk).
Even well after a century has passed, Jack the Ripper, whoever he may be, is still showing up in popular culture. He has been the center of many movies and television shows such as BBC's Ripper Street, Alfred Hitchcock's The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, and From Hell which starred Johnny Depp. He has also been the inspiration for many songs, albums, artwork and plays.
He is also a point of interest for many scientists and forensic specialists. In the past few months alone, two men, by the names of Jari Louhelainenand and Russell Edwards (a scientist and amateur historian, respectively) claimed to have identified Jack the Ripper as Polish immigrant, Aaron Kosminski. Claims like this are made quite often, however, this particular assertion went viral and was thought to be canonical by many (nbcnews.com). However, "The scientist, Jari Louhelainen, is said to have made an "error of nomenclature" when using a DNA database to calculate the chances of a genetic match" (independent.co.uk).
Even well after a century has passed, Jack the Ripper, whoever he may be, is still showing up in popular culture. He has been the center of many movies and television shows such as BBC's Ripper Street, Alfred Hitchcock's The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, and From Hell which starred Johnny Depp. He has also been the inspiration for many songs, albums, artwork and plays.
interactive map- Whitechapel, England