America Unearthed, Season 4, Episode 4, "Jack the Ripper"

This episode was really interesting to make as I never knew the intricate details of the case beforehand.  This probably helped as I had no preconceived notions about the case and truly went in with a wide-open mind.  The perspective of the Friedman’s was eye-opening to say the least, and as they described the wounds of the victims two things quickly became apparent; first, there was a clear connection to one aspect of Freemasonry, and second, this aspect was something I have taken vows not to discuss with anyone other than a brother Mason.  Talk about being torn!  On one hand, here was clear and distinct evidence the Ripper had highly secret knowledge known only to Master Masons (even today details about this aspect are scant on the Internet).  On the other hand, this important evidence I was not allowed to discuss!  What I was able to say was, if true, this evidence could only have been known to a Freemason.  Most importantly, our very famous suspect, Arthur Conan Doyle was a Freemason with an interesting Masonic resume.  I found it very curious, and suspicious, that he was raised as a Master Mason in 1887, the Ripper murders happened in 1888, and in 1889 Doyle dropped out of Freemasonry and we have not been able to find out why.  While not conclusive evidence Doyle committed the murders, these facts were a huge red flag for me.

Of course, additional evidence began to fall into place as the episode unfolded painting a damming picture of our suspect.  While doubtful we would have secured a conviction at trial that Doyle was indeed Jack the Ripper, but in many ways, he was the perfect suspect leaving many lingering questions about this deeply complicated man.

Daniel Friedman, and his father, Gene Friedman, pose for a photo in Gene's home on Long Island, New York, after shooting a great scene for the "Ripper" episode.

While the Committee Films crew prepares to shoot a scene at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois, Physician Daniel Friedman, poses for a photo with Arthur Conan Doyle’s Master Mason apron, and Masonic code book, along with first edition copies of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes writings.  

Ripper expert and guest, Andrew Gough (center) and the Committee Films crew waits while a “Jack the Ripper” tour group moves on.  This is the location where the last ripper victim, Katheryn Eddowes, was brutally killed and disemboweled on September 30, 1888.  

On the street directly across from the Grand Lodge of England are several granite curb stones with interesting carvings.  This particular stone, with two "X" symbols with dots in the four quadrants, is an identical prototype to the Masonic Knights Templar cipher code.

British Masonic scholar, David Harrison, and I pose for a selfie in front of the residence where Arthur Conan Doyle lived in London when he wrote some of his Sherlock Holmes mysteries. 

I paused for a photo in the middle of my dissection of a silicone cadaver containing the internal organs of a pig that are nearly identical to humans. 

The front side of the original "Dear Boss" letter received by London police on September 27, 1888.

The back side of the original "Dear Boss" letter where it is signed by "Jack the Ripper", which was the origin of the infamous name of the killer. 

Shepard Girl submitted artwork for this episode and I though it was something worth sharing.