I remember two examples. Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell brought Jack’s story to one of the most revered comics in history: From Hell, published here by Veneta. In a completely different way, Jô Soares was also inspired by the criminal in one of his books. In O
Along with a flood of rumors, forgeries, and apocryphal documents, the lack of a real name, identity, and face for Jack contributed to many stories about the Ripper. The mystery of who the guy actually was gave artists from different eras and backgrounds room to create their own version of the murderer. This wide open door to the fables was also fundamental in ensuring that the aura of mystery surrounding the criminal made his figure visible and even laid tourist routes through London.
But now things may have changed. A few weeks ago a book called OneArmed Jack: Uncovering the Real Jack the Ripper (Michael O’Mara Books) by Sarah Bax Horton was published in England. In it, the author points out the true identity of the criminal: Hyam Hyams, who, although he did not slaughter women in the dark streets, was an employee of a cigar factory.
Sara is the greatgreatgranddaughter of a police officer who investigated Jack’s crimes. Characteristics attributed to the murderer were also part of Hyam’s description: his height, a severe knee problem, an untreated injury that made it difficult to articulate his left arm… Epilepsy and alcoholism would be other characteristics that marked the life of the His husband died in 1913 in a mental institution, where he had been an inpatient since the end of 1889.
Sara’s work will certainly be evaluated and ultimately confirmed by other researchers trying to unravel the mysteries of the story of Jack the Ripper. If it is confirmed that the murderer was indeed Hyam Hyams, let’s see what the development will be. It is always interesting to follow the conflict between the real and the fabulous constructions about certain characters.
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