American Ripper: The Documentary That Sparked Interest in Jeff Mudgett
Fans of the History Channel are attempting to digest the content that was presented during the documentary, American Ripper, a docu-series in which Jeff Mudgett outlines details that suggest his ancestor, H. H. Holmes, was Jack the Ripper and presents them in chilling fashion. It is not every day that a person goes out of the way to prove that they are related to the most infamous serial killer in the history of humanity. One thing that has happened as a result of the documentary is that a lot of people have become interested in Jeff Mudgett and what makes him tick.
There is so much about this man that most people don’t know, so we took the time to conduct a little research to find out a little bit more about him. Here are five things about Jeff Mudgett that you probably did not know.
1. Jeff Mudgett’s Intriguing TED Talk
Ted Talk has become a major platform for people to share their inspiration and ideas with the public, and the fact that Jeff has been afforded the opportunity to share his theory on this platform speaks volumes as far as his credibility is concerned. He is obviously not some quack just looking for attention. Basically, Ted Talk asked Mudgett to use the Ted Talk audience as a grand jury to determine if he had enough evidence to indict Herman Mudgett for the murders attributed to Jack the Ripper.
2. The Descendant of America’s First Serial Killer
To make the story more interesting, Jeff Mudgett is the direct descendant of Herman Webster Mudgett, often referred to as the first serial killer in America. This is significant because it raises the question about genetics and environmental influences when it comes to serial killers. There are many theories surrounding the makings of a serial killer and Jeff Mudgett’s work highlights some very interesting points that suggest that genetics may play a role in the creation of the perfect storm that presents a killing machine that has no remorse.
3. Bloodstains: Jeff Mudgett’s Chilling Book
According to the synopsis of the book, Bloodstains details Jeff’s search the truth concerning his ancestors after he inherited the diaries of his great-grandfather, Herman Webster Mudgett, who is noted as being America’s first serial killer – not to mention its most notorious one. Herman Webster Mudgett recorded in that diary, “I was born with the devil in me… he has been with me ever since.” These chilling words have haunted Jeff Mudgett, and they have driven him to uncover the truth at any cost.
4. An Unexpected Background for a Serial Killer Investigator
Jeff is an educated man; however, his academic background is not in the area of investigation or the legal justice system. He has a degree in Nautical Industrial Technology and he is currently working toward his Master’s in the same field. He currently serves as a commander in the United States Naval Reserves, which is quite odds when considering the amount of energy he has invested in uncovering the history of his family and proving that he is a descendant of Jack the Ripper.
5. The Hidden Connection to H.H. Holmes
Jeff admits that his grandfather hid the fact that he was related to H.H. Holmes for more than sixty years – which is quite understandable. It was at a dinner table with his grandparents in which his grandmother, who was completely fascinated with genealogy, discussed the possibility of being related to Gen. Robert E. Lee, and at that point, his grandfather finally shared the secret that he was related to H.H. Holmes.
Follow Us
