Was Jose Rizal Jack the Ripper

The story of Jack the Ripper is perhaps one of the most fascinating murder mysteries in British history. The notorious serial killer murdered five women in the White Chappel district of London and mutilated the bodies of his victims in a gruesome manner.

Despite the brutal nature of the murders, the police have not been able to name a suspect in association with the crimes. This has led the public to cook up several conspiracy theories in an attempt to Identify the elusive serial killer. Some of the most popular suspects include the famous painters Edgar Degas and Walter Sickert. Arron Komiski a local barbar is also suspected in connection to the murders.

However, of all the names that have come up, perhaps the one that is most bizarre is that of Jose Rizal, a Filipino writer and activist. So, how did Jose Rizal get involved in the dark murders of London alleyways from halfway across the world?

Let’s find out.

Who is Jose Rizal?

A Image of Jose Rizal || Famous Phillippine Hero.

Rizal Jose was a Filipino nationalist who actively advocated for the independence of the Philippines during the late 1800s when it was under the control of Spanish colonizers. He was a well-travelled writer, polymath and ophthalmologist. Jose Rizal was also a key member of the Filipino propaganda movement.

Although Jose Rizal was eventually accused of treason and executed by the Spanish government for his connection to the Philippine revolution, he is today celebrated in the Philippines as a national hero whose activism brought an end to the 333 years of colonial rule of Spain in the Philippines.

Why is Jose Rizal Suspected to be Jack the Ripper?

Two Victorian Era Police officers examining the body of one of Jack the Ripper's Victims.

So why is a man with an incredible reputation like Jose Rizal linked to the Jack the Ripper Murders?

The first argument presented by conspiracy theorists is that Jose Rizal was in London between May 1888 and March 1889. This was the exact timeframe when all the Jack the Ripper murders occurred. It is also pointed out that as soon as Rizal left London, the serial killing stopped.

Another reason Jose Rizal is suspected to be Jack the Rizal is due to the nature of the murders. According to the police, the way the bodies of the victims were mutilated suggests that it was done by someone with knowledge of human anatomy. Jose Rizal was a doctor, so skeptics believe he fits this description.

Finally, the initials of Jose Rizal are “JR,” which is the same as the initials of Jack the Ripper. Could this be merely a coincidence, or is there something more sinister going on?

Examining the Evidence

While conspiracy theorists might be confident that the “Evidences” presented above proves Jose Rizal’s guilt, a more logical examination of the Issue exposes it all as bogus and ridiculous.

First, On the Issue of Jose Rizal’s visit to London. Being a renowned writer and reader, Jose Rizal traveled to various cities around the world to copy and study books. He was in london to copy a book titled “Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas“, meaning “Events in the Philippine Islands”. There were no photocopy machines at that time, so manual copying like this was necessary.

Rizal spent most of his time in the British Library and left London altogether as soon as he completed his task. While in the city, all his activities were well documented, and they reflect a character vastly different from a ruthless killer.

Regarding the Issue of mutilations done on Jack the Ripper’s Victims. London was a commercial centre in the late 1880s with a population of more than five million people. There must have been thousands of doctors with the ability to mutilate a body in that manner.

Finally, the name Jack the Ripper was not the self-chosen name of the serial killer. It was given to him by the media for its dramatic effect after the murders became popular. Since the killer did not even choose the name himself, associating the “JR” initials of Jose Rizal with the serial killer is does not prove anything.