The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has been the subject of much media attention since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. She is known for her humanitarian work, her fashion sense, and her role as a former actress. But did you know that she might also have a connection to one of the most notorious criminals in American history?
According to a documentary produced for England’s Channel Four, Meghan Markle is a distant relative of H.H. Holmes, who is widely considered to be America’s first serial killer.Holmes was a con artist and a murderer who operated in Chicago in the late 19th century. He is believed to have killed somewhere between 20 and 200 people, mostly women, in his so-called “Murder Castle”, a three-story building that was equipped with secret passages, trapdoors, soundproof rooms, gas jets, and a crematorium.
How is Meghan Markle related to H.H. Holmes?
The documentary, titled Meet the Markles, claims that Meghan Markle and H.H. Holmes are eighth cousins. The source of this claim is Jeff Mudgett, who is Holmes’s great-great-grandson and a lawyer from California. Mudgett says that he discovered his ancestry through genealogical research and DNA testing. He also says that he has evidence that Holmes was not only a serial killer in America, but also the infamous Jack the Ripper in London.
Mudgett traces his and Markle’s common ancestor to Christian Merckel, who was born in 1674 in Alsace, a region on the border of France and Germany. Merckel’s son, Johann Martin Merckel, immigrated to America in 1727 and settled in Pennsylvania. The Merckel family later changed their surname to Markle. Mudgett says that one of Johann Martin’s descendants was Henry Howard Holmes, who was born Herman Webster Mudgett in 1861 in New Hampshire. Holmes changed his name several times throughout his life and used various aliases to evade the law and commit his crimes.
Meghan Markle’s paternal lineage can also be traced back to Johann Martin Merckel through another branch of the family tree. Her father, Thomas Markle Sr., is the son of Gordon Arnold Markle and Doris May Rita Sanders. Gordon’s mother was Ruth Ann Arnold, whose father was Isaac Thomas Arnold. Isaac’s mother was Mary Ann Merkle, whose father was Jacob Merkle. Jacob’s father was John Merkle, whose father was George Merkle. George’s father was Johann Martin Merkle, the same immigrant ancestor as Holmes.
What does this mean for Meghan Markle?
The documentary suggests that Meghan Markle might not be aware of her relation to H.H. Holmes and that she might not be proud of it either. Mudgett says that he tried to contact her before her wedding to Prince Harry, but did not receive a reply. He says that he wanted to warn her about the possible genetic implications of being related to a serial killer and a psychopath. He also says that he wanted to invite her to join him in his quest to expose the truth about Holmes and Jack the Ripper.
However, some experts have cast doubt on the validity of Mudgett’s claims and methods. They point out that genealogical research can be prone to errors and inconsistencies, especially when dealing with distant relatives and historical records. They also question the reliability of DNA testing and the interpretation of the results. They argue that being related to someone does not necessarily mean inheriting their traits or behaviors, as there are many other factors that influence one’s personality and choices. They suggest that Mudgett’s motives might be more sensationalistic than scientific, as he has written a book and starred in a TV series about his alleged ancery.
Meghan Markle has not publicly commented on her supposed link to H.H. Holmes or on Mudgett’s allegations. She has focused on her role as a member of the royal family and as a mother of two children, Archie and Lilibet. She has also faced various challenges and controversies in her personal and professional life, such as her strained relationship with her father and half-siblings, her legal battles with the British tabloids, and her decision to step back from royal duties and move to California with Prince Harry.
In conclusion, Meghan Markle is reportedly related to H.H. Holmes, America’s first serial killer, through a common ancestor who lived in the 17th century. However, this claim is based on questionable evidence and has not been confirmed or acknowledged by Markle herself. It is unlikely that this distant connection has any significant impact on her life or identity.
