The conspiracy theory behind jack the ripper: was he a vigilante?

Trickie
Dec 14, 2024
5 min read

When it comes to notorious slashers, a few usual suspects pop into your head—like the Zodiac Killer, who played hide-and-seek with San Francisco, or the axe-swinging lunatic from Villisca, IA. But let's turn our focus to the dark, foggy streets of Whitechapel in the late 19th century. Amidst the whispers of the crowd, a shadowy figure emerged whose identity remains as one of history's greatest mysteries—Jack the Ripper.

You see, a part of the Ripper's story stood out— Like when Dogpool first appeared on Deadpool and Wolverine. Surprising, unexpected, and a little weird. But you can't help but look at it and think, "What happened?" Could it be that Jack the Ripper was not just a cold-blooded killer but a vigilante with a sick, twisted sense of justice?

Dogpool / Deadpool and Wolverine — *Dogpool | Deadpool and Wolverine*

But before we carry on, I just have a quick disclaimer. The contents of this blog post are strictly a conspiracy theory and are not intended to be taken as literal fact. The theories, interpretations, and ideas presented here are speculative and are meant purely for entertainment and discussion. All references, stories, and images used have been informally cited throughout the post and will be fully credited on the reference page at the end of the blog. Readers are encouraged to approach the content with an open mind while acknowledging it is fictional and hypothetical.

Setting the stage: george lusk

Picture this. It's October 16, 1888. The streets are overcrowded with people just trying to get by. It's cold, and you are greeted by the faint glow of lit trash bins. Groups of poverty-stricken people are huddled together, sobbing and trying to get warm. The conditions are unbearable, but you deal with it because, well, what else can you do?

A light mist and soot enveloped you, leaving a rancid taste that lingers on your tongue. For a second, you felt lost. But it's nothing new, really. It's the same hopeless scene you've seen a hundred times before—except now, it feels like too much.

Another tragic event claimed the lives of two women—Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes. You shook your legs. Your teeth clashed against one another as you picked at a fingernail now worn to a nub. Suddenly, you crashed your fist onto the desk with a thud, rattling the papers and sending a coffee cup skidding to the edge. You stood, knocking the chair back, and paced in tight circles. With a clenched jaw, your thoughts spun around your head like the blades of a chainsaw. The media's mention of the Vigilance patrol activities had made things even worse.

Shortly afterward, you receive a knock on the door. As you get up to open the door, you receive a parcel wrapped in brown paper. It is addressed to you by name and includes the street name but does not give the house number. A rancid smell overwhelms you, forcing you to gag. Inside the package, you discover a human kidney and a poorly written letter. This was a look into what could be the life of George Lusk's.

The Conspiracy theory: jack the ripper

After looking into the Ripper's history and George Lusk's "From Hell" letter detailed by historian Richard Jones, I came out with more head-scratchers than solutions about Jack's true identity. Whoever Jack the Ripper was, could he have had more emotional depth to him? What if his actions, though inhuman and immoral, were committed for a grander purpose? And could it be that his actions were fueled by his sick views of justice? Who knows, maybe he was just having.

Alright, let's dive into the mystery! George Lusk was, without a doubt, the first lucky duck to get a letter straight from the Ripper—no cops or media folks in between. Now, why would a guy who loved poking fun at reporters and the police for some headline-grabbing action send a letter to George, of all people? Sure, George was becoming quite the celebrity, but wouldn't the Ripper want to pen-pal with someone who had a bigger stage or more clout? After this little postal adventure, the Ripper took a haitus before news broke over Mary Jane Kelly's death.

Where am I headed with this exactly? Let's dive into a bigger conspiracy theory, shall we? I'm dragging us over to Lusk's who may have had a bigger part in this story. Sure, he seemed like a committed chairman, but could he had been involved this entire time? Isn't it a bit fishy that the district of Whitechapel—a hotspot for poverty and a crime rate—only started getting a makeover after the murders hit the headlines? Could Jack the Ripper have been some bizarre urban planner trying to spotlight the area's dreadful conditions with his twisted antics?

While Lusk was the head honcho of the Mile End Vigilance Committee, he loudly declared, "Let's throw some cash at catching this killer!" Strangely enough, the murders seemed to spur up less just as he was becoming the talk of the town. And seriously, how did the Ripper manage to send a package to Lusk's place without a house number? It's not like the post office is psychic. Usually, they'll need a return address or at least the right house number. (Don't worry, we'll get back to this.)

It's plausible that the Ripper's goal was to force the local government district within the London metropolitan area to clean out the crime in Whitechapel. By targeting women, he ensured police and media attention. Even so, copycat killings may have tested his ego, making him send the "From Hell" letter and kidney to Lusk—a calculated move to regain control of his narrative and strike fear back to those who doubted his threats.

In the end, the murders and their media coverage led to improvements in Whitechapel. The area transformed into a vibrant neighborhood with reduced crime. Perhaps the Ripper's final act, the brutal murder of Mary Jane Kelly, was his way of leaving a lasting mark. A stark reminder that if things go back to how they were, the killings will continue.

While sifting through all the juicy gossip—I mean, data—my wild hunch is that George Lusk was the Ripper. The "Ripper" hit the brakes on his spree because George was too busy pulling strings behind the curtain, thanks to his new gig as head honcho. If you're a fan of One Piece or Monster Hunter, then we all should have an idea of how bounties work. The bigger the bounty, the scarier the villain. This is exactly why Lusk was angered about the bounty being thrown around as he argued over more for the Ripper's capture. And let's not forget the package he crafted before putting on his best Oscar-worthy "surprised" face. It's the classic move of swiping your buddy's phone charger and then helping them turn the house upside down to find it...

But that's my take. What's yours? Could Jack the Ripper have had redeeming qualities, or is this theory too far-fetched? I may not have all the answers, but I'll give you an answer that sounds convincing. Until next time—this is Trickster, signing off.