This latest fan theory about Trinity's son has been gaining a lot of momentum in recent days.
Dexter Morgan is now in New York City following his escape from the Iron Lake hospital — and that means endless opportunities for both his “career” as an avenging serial killer and for the show itself. Six episodes into Dexter: Resurrection, it’s clear that while the Big Apple is a far cry from sunny Miami, it’s a surprisingly perfect fit for the character’s new chapter.
Relocating to a completely different city naturally means new faces — and new foes. So far, Dexter has found himself in the company of four fellow serial killers, all of whom were invited to Leon Prater’s opulent mansion for an exclusive dinner party.
Disguised as Ronald Schmidt, aka the “Dark Passenger Killer,” Dexter accepted the invitation — and since then, his fellow guests have started dropping like flies.
But among the city’s dangerous denizens, one killer stands apart: the New York Ripper. This mysterious murderer’s identity is unknown not only to the citizens of New York and the NYPD but even to Leon Prater, who is obsessively fascinated by them. The Ripper has claimed 22 victims so far — and has done it without leaving a trace in a city covered in security cameras.
Detective Wallace’s Wall of Clues
The only glimpses we’ve had of the Ripper’s crimes come from newspaper clippings pinned to Detective Claudette Wallace’s office wall. Wallace is consumed by the case, and for good reason — the Ripper’s ability to evade detection in such a high-surveillance environment is almost supernatural.
Crime scene photos suggest someone sadistic, calculating, and completely devoid of empathy. Yet, six episodes in, the killer has never appeared on screen, leaving fans to piece together clues and spin theories.
One theory, in particular, has been making waves over the past week — that the New York Ripper is none other than Jonah Mitchell (Brando Eaton), the son of Dexter’s most infamous villain, the Trinity Killer.
The Jonah Mitchell Theory
For those who may need a refresher, Jonah Mitchell was introduced in Dexter Season 4 as the son of Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer. His only other appearance was in Season 6, Episode 7 (“Nebraska”), in which Dexter encounters him under very different circumstances.
Fans believe that two key moments from that episode could link Jonah to the New York Ripper’s crimes.
1. Jonah Killed His Mother
After the events of the Season 4 finale, Jonah, his mother Sally, and sister Rebecca relocated from Miami to Kearney, Nebraska, under FBI protection, hoping for a fresh start. But by the time Dexter catches up with him in Season 6, tragedy has struck again: Rebecca has committed suicide, and Sally has been murdered.
Dexter suspects Jonah, and his suspicions are confirmed when Jonah admits that he killed his mother in a fit of rage after years of enduring her emotional abuse and obsession with Arthur. Despite Jonah fitting Dexter’s Code, Dexter ultimately chooses to spare his life.
2. Jonah’s Hook and the Ripper’s Weapon
Fast-forward to Dexter: Resurrection Episode 4, where Leon Prater’s vault of serial killer memorabilia includes a weapon reportedly used by the New York Ripper — something crowbar-like, but with a similar hook-shaped design. According to fans, the weapon styles may vary, but the concept is the same: a hook-like tool capable of tearing into victims.
These two elements form the core of the Jonah-as-Ripper theory — and for some viewers, the circumstantial evidence is enough to connect the dots.
Reasons the Theory Doesn’t Add Up
As intriguing as the idea sounds, there are several points that suggest Jonah is not the New York Ripper.
1. Too Much of a Coincidence
It would be a massive leap for Jonah to go from a quiet Nebraska town to becoming a prolific New York serial killer — all based on a single hook he once held in 2011.
2. Not Every Plotline Needs a Callback
The show doesn’t necessarily need to link every new character or crime to the original series. Sometimes a new villain is simply a new villain.
3. Jonah’s Motives Don’t Fit
Jonah’s act of killing his mother was portrayed as a moment of emotional breaking point, not the start of a sadistic career. There’s no clear reason for him to escalate to the brutality and consistency shown by the Ripper.
4. Clyde Phillips’ Opinions on Season 6
It’s well known that showrunner Clyde Phillips wasn’t a fan of certain creative decisions made after he left at the end of Season 4. While he supported Lumen’s storyline in Season 5, he was openly critical of many Season 6 elements, including “Nebraska,” which fans often dismiss as a filler or fever dream episode.
Given that context, it seems unlikely that the current writers would hinge a major Resurrection mystery on a minor prop from an episode Phillips didn’t even like — even if Scott Buck, the showrunner at the time, is now back on the writing team.
Final Thoughts
While it’s an entertaining and nostalgic theory, the odds of Jonah Mitchell being the New York Ripper are slim. Still, Dexter has a history of surprises, and until the Ripper is unmasked, every fan theory remains on the table.
What do you think? Is Jonah Mitchell quietly terrorizing NYC under Dexter’s nose, or is this just another fan theory?