Honestly, it feels like every six months someone claims they’ve finally "solved" the Jack the Ripper case. You’ve seen the headlines. They’re usually splashy, promising that 137 years of mystery have been wiped away by a single strand of hair or a smudge on a shawl. But the latest Jack the Ripper news coming out of late 2025 and early 2026 isn't just another clickbait cycle. It’s a messy, fascinating collision of high-tech forensics and Victorian cold case reality that has the Ripperologist community—and the living descendants of the victims—demanding a legal day in court.
The big name dominating the conversation right now is Aaron Kosminski.
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If you aren't deep in the weeds of true crime, Kosminski was a Polish barber living in Whitechapel back in 1888. He’s always been a "top tier" suspect, but new DNA analysis on a silk shawl allegedly found next to Catherine Eddowes (the fourth victim) has pushed him back into the spotlight. Some researchers, most notably author Russell Edwards, are now flat-out calling the case closed. But is it?
The DNA "Breakthrough" That’s Splitting Experts
The heart of the current Jack the Ripper news involves a piece of fabric known as the "Eddowes shawl." This thing has been through the ringer. It was supposedly taken from the Mitre Square crime scene by a Sergeant Amos Simpson for his wife. Fast forward over a century, and Russell Edwards bought it at an auction in 2007.
Recently, scientists used a technique to extract mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from what they claim are blood and semen stains on the cloth. The results? They say the DNA matches living descendants of both Catherine Eddowes and Aaron Kosminski.
On paper, that sounds like a "gotcha" moment. You've got the victim's blood and the suspect's... well, you know. But here is where it gets kinda murky. Mitochondrial DNA isn't like the nuclear DNA you see in CSI. It’s not a unique "fingerprint." It’s shared by everyone in a maternal line. Critics, including forensic scientist Walther Parson, have pointed out that while the match is compelling, it doesn't 100% exclude everyone else in London at the time who might share that genetic sequence.
Then there’s the contamination problem. This shawl wasn't kept in a sterile evidence locker. It was handled by police, family members, and even Edwards himself without gloves before the most recent tests. In a modern court, this evidence would probably be tossed out faster than you can say "Whitechapel."
Why a 2026 Inquest Might Actually Happen
What makes the current situation different from previous years is the involvement of the victims' families. Karen Miller, the great-great-granddaughter of Catherine Eddowes, has been making headlines recently by calling for a formal legal inquest.
She told reporters that the name "Jack the Ripper" has become a caricature—a fictional monster on a t-shirt. For her, this is about a real woman who was murdered and never saw justice. Miller, backed by some of Kosminski’s own descendants who want the truth out there, is pushing the UK Attorney General to reopen the case.
Previous attempts to do this were blocked. In 2023, then-Attorney General Michael Ellis said there wasn't enough "new" evidence. But with the 2025 peer-reviewed studies finally addressing some of the technical gaps in the DNA sequencing, the pressure is mounting.
The Case for Hyam Hyams and Other Contenders
While Kosminski is the man of the hour, he isn't the only one in the frame. Researcher Sarah Bax Horton recently made a huge splash with her analysis of Hyam Hyams.
Horton’s approach is different. She didn't look at DNA; she looked at medical records. She found that Hyams had a distinctive "stiff-legged" gait and an injured left arm—traits that match descriptions given by witnesses who saw a man with the victims.
Hyams was a cigar maker who lived in the heart of the killing zone. He was also an alcoholic with severe epilepsy who was eventually committed to an asylum after attacking his wife with a "chopper." It's a compelling profile. It reminds us that the Jack the Ripper news isn't just a one-horse race. For every person convinced it's the barber, there's another convinced it's the cigar maker or the local butcher.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Five"
We always talk about the "Canonical Five" victims: Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly.
But if you look at the recent research, many historians are starting to think the Ripper's tally was either higher or lower. Some think Elizabeth Stride wasn't a Ripper victim at all because her injuries were different. Others, like Sarah Bax Horton, argue that Martha Tabram (killed before the "official" first victim) should be included.
The reality is that Victorian London was a violent place. The police were overwhelmed, forensics didn't exist, and the "Jack the Ripper" persona was largely fueled by sensationalist press and the infamous "Dear Boss" letter—which most experts now agree was a hoax written by a journalist.
Is the Mystery Actually Over?
Basically, no. We are closer than we were in 1888, but we are nowhere near a consensus.
The DNA on the shawl is the strongest scientific link we have, but the "broken chain of custody" is a massive hurdle. You've got a suspect (Kosminski) who was a barber—someone who naturally would have contact with many people—which adds another layer of "incidental contact" doubt.
If a legal inquest actually happens in 2026, it won't be because we found a smoking gun. It will be because the descendants of the victims have successfully argued that their ancestors deserve more than being a footnote in a ghost story.
Actionable Insights for Ripper Enthusiasts
If you're following the Jack the Ripper news and want to separate the hype from the history, here is how to stay informed:
- Check the Source: If a headline says "Identity Confirmed," look for whether the study was peer-reviewed. Many "breakthroughs" are actually promotional pushes for new books.
- Follow the Inquest: Keep an eye on the UK Attorney General’s office. A decision to reopen the Catherine Eddowes inquest would be a landmark legal event for cold cases.
- Look Beyond the Shawl: Research the "Macnaghten Memorandum." It’s an internal police document from 1894 that lists the three most likely suspects (including Kosminski) and provides context that DNA alone can't give.
- Read the Victim Stories: Focus on the "social history" of the victims. Books like The Five by Hallie Rubenhold offer a much-needed human perspective that counters the sensationalism of the "Ripper" myth.
The search for the Whitechapel murderer isn't just about a name anymore; it's a test of how far modern science can reach back into the shadows of the past without losing its grip on the facts.