New theory is
bringing attention to the decades
old cold case
of the zodiac killer.
Murder!
Mystery!
Mayhem!
They're all going down tonight
when two elusive murderers
go head to head
in a serial killer showdown.
Let’s get to know these
mysterious murderers.
First up is one of England’s
most evil exports.
Stalking the impoverished streets of
East London’s Whitechapel district,
this famous serial killer was active
between August and November of 1888.
Within this densely populated
and crime-ridden area,
The Ripper viciously targeted young
female sex workers.
With a stealthy approach and
his trademark throat slit,
spending "alone time" with Jack
was a quick and brutal death sentence.
Over 130 years later,
Jack's identity remains a mystery.
Will this specter of the London
fog overshadow his opponent?
Next up is the eerie
who blasted to infamy in
Northern California in the late 1960s.
Zodiac typically went after young couples
in secluded areas after dark.
Relying on a handgun and
the element of surprise,
this cold killer committed
a string of local murders.
Described by witnesses and survivors
as a white man aged 25-30
police failed to develop a suitable
composite sketch.
Zodiac communicated with the press
and the authorities through cryptic letters
and even directly via phone call.
But still, this serial killer managed to slip
through the cracks and elude the police.
Is your skin crawling yet?
It's time to see who's the most
maniacal madman in the ring.
Jack the Ripper's career
spanned just four months,
known as the "Autumn of Terror."
He murdered all his victims
during this tight time frame.
Victorian London's poorest district
suffered from sickness
and crime at this time,
and Jack used it to his advantage.
Cloaked by the fog and
the chaos in the streets,
Jack may have killed many more
than the confirmed five women.
Across the pond in California,
the Zodiac Killer was also
linked to five murders.
While his killer instinct was undeniable,
Zodiac had a looser schedule.
His confirmed killing spree spanned from
December 1968 to October 1969.
Zodiac's career may have been
longer than Jack's, but it was not busier.
Jack the Ripper preferred a sharp blade,
and he was skilled with using knives.
He also knew human anatomy,
so people wondered if he worked
as a butcher or a surgeon.
After he suddenly inflicted
these bloody deaths,
this killer mutilated and dissected
his victims’ bodies.
The Zodiac Killer also hunted his
victims in cold blood,
though he usually used a handgun
at close range.
He occasionally stabbed
his unlucky targets,
but only after he restrained them.
To increase the public's fear,
both Jack and Zodiac sent creepy letters
to officials that
included pieces of evidence,
risking a reveal of their identities.
Between the gruesome crime scene
photos published in newspapers,
the lack of suspects and a twisted trick
involving a human kidney in the mail,
the people of Whitechapel were terrified.
And the police simply couldn't prove who
Jack the Ripper was.
The Zodiac Killer took fearmongering
to the next level.
Once, he called a TV talk show to brag
about his crimes.
This killer loved to sit back and watch
society scramble to solve his riddles
as he planned his next move.
After all, he's best known and most feared
for these types of antics rather than
his predatory prowess.
Even today, experts continue to try to
crack his maze of codes and ciphers.
But it takes more than getting attention
to win this match.
The Zodiac Killer may have had the public
in the palm of his hand,
but Jack did a better job of balancing
mind games with murder.
The nursery rhyme says,
"Jack be nimble, Jack be quick"
and Jack the Ripper
understood the assignment.
It's elementary, my dear Watson.
The most fearsome fiend is
Jack the Ripper!
In this match, Jack the Ripper
used strategy, skill and patience
to sneak into first place.
While the Zodiac Killer was not
someone to underestimate,
he focused on terrorizing society,
the media and the police.
His expertly encrypted messages and
ability to fly under the radar
are impressive, but his ego may
have hindered him.
Jack had the physical ability to kill
and demonstrated his sheer
delight in doing so.
This serial killer was sadistic
and enjoyed destroying
his victims' bodies.
And unlike sly Jack,
Zodiac Killer was spotted by
some victims and witnesses
He was more likely to be identified.
Jack the Ripper is the
bloodthirsty winner this time, but
how would he fare against the real-life
Dracula,
Vlad the Impaler?
We’ll find out on another episode of VS.