Ep 2. The Butcher's Blade

In episode 2 of American Ripper season 1, titled "The Butcher's Blade," Jeff Mudgett continues his search for evidence to prove his theory that his ancestor, H.H. Holmes, was also the infamous Jack the Ripper in London.

The episode begins with Mudgett visiting the scene of one of Jack the Ripper's murders in Whitechapel, London. He takes a closer look at the murder weapon used by Jack the Ripper, known as a surgical knife or scalpel, and begins to explore the possibility that Holmes, who was a trained medical doctor, may have used a similar weapon in his murders in the United States.

Mudgett returns to the United States, where he meets with experts in the field of medical forensics to learn more about the types of knives that were commonly used by doctors in the 1800s. He discovers that there were many different types of surgical knives available during that time period, some of which could have been used by Holmes in his murders.

Mudgett also looks into the history of Holmes's Chicago mansion, which is famously known as the "Murder Castle." He believes that the building may hold clues to Holmes's involvement in the Jack the Ripper murders, and visits the location with a team of investigators and architects to uncover any evidence that may have been overlooked in the past.

The team discovers hidden rooms and passageways in the mansion, which Mudgett believes may have been used to hide evidence of Holmes's crimes. He also uncovers evidence that suggests that Holmes had access to surgical knives, which further supports his theory that Holmes was the real Jack the Ripper.

As the episode comes to a close, Mudgett reflects on the evidence he has uncovered so far and continues to piece together his theory. He acknowledges that there is still a lot of work to be done to prove his theory, but remains determined to uncover the truth about his ancestor's past.

Overall, "The Butcher's Blade" is a fascinating exploration of the possibility that H.H. Holmes was also Jack the Ripper, and provides viewers with a detailed look at the types of weapons and methods that were used by both killers during their respective crime sprees. Mudgett's determination to uncover the truth is evident throughout the episode, and his investigations provide valuable insights into this intriguing mystery.