Very few mysteries in history have captured public attention quite like the case of Jack the Ripper. One of the most infamous serial killers who stalked the streets of London, leaving behind a legacy of gruesome murders and a string of unanswered questions. Over a century later, the identity of the Ripper is still unknown, keeping the fire that runs a wild variety of speculation, theories, and conspiracies alive in our hearts today.

The range of well-known theories spread from “disgraced surgeon” to “time traveler” and all the way to “royal cover-up”. While there is little to no evidence supporting any of these claims, let’s dive into what we do know.

A Little Background Information:

Beginning in the fall of 1888, a violent string of murders took over the impoverished district of Whitechapel, London. The victims, who were mainly women involved in prostitution of any sort, were found brutally murdered around the district. The evidence appeared that the murderer would have had to have some surgical knowledge, given the extent of their injuries. With the growing media at the time, the press took hold of the murders, allowing the news to spread quickly throughout London. Despite police attempts, Jack the Ripper was never caught. The lack of forensic technology at the time, combined with conflicting eye-witness accounts, meant that the case ultimately went cold. Though it has not stopped people from searching for what may have happened. Because in the end, when a case goes cold, the imagination runs wild.

So now that we’re all caught up on who Jack the Ripper is and what activities he has partaken in, let’s explore the theories that have become popular. While some are quite compelling, others are more surprising. Only supporting more that these theories have only continued to be blown way out of proportion.

Sir William Gull and “The Royal Theory” :

This wild theory suggests that the murders committed by Jack the Ripper were actually by Sir William Gull, the primary physician for the royal family in London. It was believed that Prince Albert Victor, Grandson of Queen Victoria, had an illegitimate child with a working class woman. Queen Victoria took control of the situation by hiring the physician to kill anyone who may have talked or shared this secret with the world. Gull’s surgical experience, could have explained the precision used when murdering the victims. But, with the murders being an attempt to silence anyone who knew, unfortunately there is no hard evidence into why this could have been true.

So let’s talk about the problems…

Why is this theory likely to not be true? Well first off like I said, there is no hard evidence. Sir William also had a stroke before he died, meaning that he may not have actually been able to carry out the murders. This was also an extremely fabricated story in which the killer himself has little to no motive, practically ruling this theory out from the get-go.

James Maybrick and “The Confession” :

Wealthy businessman James Maybrick was never accused of the murders while living, but only years after his death when a mysterious diary turned up. The diary, which allegedly belong to Mr. Maybrick, contained extremely graphic and detailed confessions to each of the murders with eached signed as Jack the Ripper. While all of the confessions do align with all of the killings, this is still heavily debated due to a few historically inaccurate details. You might be thinking, “Yeah this isn’t enough to go off of, It’s not him”. And honestly, that’s what everyone was thinking. Until the infamous watch appeared as well. A pocket watch, also allegedly belonged to Maybrick, was found only a little later. Inscriptions on the inside with the name “Maybrick”, the phrase “I am Jack”, and the carving of all of the victim’s initials on the inside made this case so much more compelling. But, like any other theories, there will be issues after all.

So what are the issues this time?

Just to start, there was a complete lack of contemporary evidence. None of the belongings could be proved to actually belong to Maybrick, meaning that all of this may have been falsified. Maybrick was also in extremely poor health due to arsenic poisoning through his life, meaning that he physically may not have been able to commit these murders. And last but definitely not least, not a single person can put him in London during the times of the murders. So, if nothing else, the Maybrick case does prove one thing: when it comes to Jack the Ripper, the legend will always be much more powerful than the truth.

Aaron Kosminski and “The Most Likely Theory”:

While many names surround this case, Aaron Kosminski is one that just keeps surfacing. While this theory is taking home no award for “Most Wild” it definitely is one of the top contenders for the true identity of the killer. The case against Kosminski is actually grounded in police records, eye witness testimonies, and even a somewhat-modern, somewhat-true DNA analysis. But once again, we have to ask the question, Does the evidence truly point to him, or is this just another case of history forcing the suspect to fit the crime.

Let’s get out all of the facts.. Eye witnesses were believed to have identified him as the murderer, but coincidentally refused to testify. A DNA study was conducted and proved that his DNA was found on a shaw taken from the crime scene, though this was indeed a stretch, it was the closest they had to a breakthrough in years. “When we matched the DNA from the blood on the shawl with a direct female descendant of the victim, it was the singular most amazing moment of my life at the time,” Edwards told “Today” in Australia. And lastly, Aaron Kosminski was institutionalized right before the murders stopped, leaving some to believe this prevented him from killing any others.

More common problems:

Once again, there was exactly no direct evidence linking him to any of the crime scenes. David Adam from science.org explains that, “U.S. crime author Patricia Cornwell asked other scientists to analyze any DNA in samples taken from letters supposedly sent by the serial killer to police. Based on that DNA analysis and other clues she said the killer was the painter Walter Sickert, though many experts believe those letters to be fake. Another genetic analysis of the letters claimed the murderer could have been a woman.” Showing more of the flaws in the testing, proving the killer may not be who it seems. That, combined with the eye witnessed who refused to testify, made the identification and circumstantial evidence nothing less than inadmissible. While also with his general mental state deteriorating, many believe that he would also not have been able to carry out these murders. So, while Kosminski was an extremely strong suspect, without any definitive proof, the mystery of Jack the Ripper remains just that- a mystery.

The Truth- Or Lack of:

At the end of the day, Jack the Ripper’s case is a prime example of how these conspiracy theories are primarily built on mystery and thrive off of uncertainty. With many gaps in each story, the human mind fills them with sometimes creative, and sometimes bizarre ideas instead. But, maybe that’s what is keeping the legend alive.

Do you think people would still be so interested if his identity was already confirmed? I don’t think so. The unknown variables are far more compelling than the truth, and as long as the mystery remains, so will the conspiracies- no matter how bizarre and far-fetched they become.

So, what do you think? Is the infamous killer a member of the royal family? Is he a wealthy businessman? A time traveler? Maybe Jack the Ripper was actually a woman! The theory calling her “Jill the Ripper” instead will always spark conversation. Whichever you may believe, just remember that in the end it’s all a theory. Thanks for reading and tune into the next one for more facts, fiction, and theories that will leave you thinking.