Based on the revelations in Episode 7, a major fan theory has just been put to rest.
It’s no secret that fans love theorizing about their favorite shows. Half the fun of watching a series like Dexter: Resurrection is diving into the mystery, picking apart clues, and debating possible outcomes. Fan theories keep the hype alive, spark conversations across forums and social media, and prove just how invested viewers really are.
And when it comes to Dexter: Resurrection, the fanbase is buzzing louder than ever. At the center of this frenzy? A chilling subplot known as The New York Ripper case—a decades-spanning investigation with an unknown suspect and a terrifyingly high body count.
What We Knew About the New York Ripper Before Episode 7
Up until Episode 7, the information surrounding the Ripper was limited but deeply unsettling. We knew:
- The killer uses a crowbar-like weapon to attack victims.
- He has claimed at least 22 confirmed victims.
That alone was enough to keep fans theorizing for weeks. Many suspects have been suggested—from minor characters to shocking callbacks to Dexter’s past.
But Episode 7, “Course Correction,” changed everything.
Episode 7 Drops Game-Changing Clues
In the seventh episode, Detective Claudette Wallace gave a guest lecture at Collings University in NYC. During her presentation, she revealed seven new clues about the Ripper case. While she didn’t unmask the killer, her statements shattered one of the fandom’s biggest running theories:
That Jonah Mitchell, the son of Trinity Killer Arthur Mitchell, is the New York Ripper.
This theory had dominated Dexter-related social media threads and discussions, and Dexter Daily’s own comment section. But Wallace’s timeline doesn’t lie—Jonah simply couldn’t be the Ripper.
Why Jonah Mitchell Cannot Be the Ripper
Here’s what makes Wallace’s revelation so crucial:
- She mentioned she has been investigating the case since joining the force.
- Based on her age (late 40s), this suggests the Ripper has been active for at least 20 years.
- Dexter: Resurrection is set in Spring 2022. Doing the math, the Ripper would have begun killing in the mid-to-late 1990s.
At that time, Jonah Mitchell was just a child. There’s simply no way he could be responsible for murders that date back that far.
In short: Jonah Mitchell is not the New York Ripper.
How the Jonah Theory Started
So where did this theory even come from? Fans traced it back to Season 6, Episode 7 (“Nebraska”), where Jonah appeared in two key scenes:
- At his workplace a hardware store, he demonstrated how to use a hook-like tool on a customer.
- In the same episode’s climax, he attempted to kill Dexter with that very weapon.
Because the Ripper also wields a crowbar-like weapon, many fans saw a connection. And given Dexter’s history of planting Easter eggs and callbacks, the theory wasn’t completely far-fetched.
But ultimately, the evidence against it outweighed the coincidence.
Brando Eaton Reacts to the New York Ripper Theories
Brando Eaton—who plays Jonah Mitchell—recently poked fun at the ongoing fan speculation. On his Instagram, Eaton posted a lighthearted selfie video with the caption:
“I just got back from New York, what’s everyone yelling at me about?”
The clip instantly sent fans into a frenzy. Some took it as a sly confirmation, or at least a cheeky tease, that Jonah Mitchell could be connected to the New York Ripper storyline.
However, based on the evidence, it’s far more likely that Eaton was simply playing along with the fandom’s obsession rather than actually hinting at a major plot twist. After all, actors from the Dexter universe are no strangers to fanning the flames of speculation on social media.
Final Thoughts: Who Is the Real New York Ripper?
With Jonah Mitchell ruled out, attention now turns to other suspects. The Ripper has been confirmed by the NYPD as no longer active, but his crimes remain some of the most sadistic and disturbing in the Dexter universe.
As Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 pushes toward its final episodes, fans can expect more twists, more misdirection, and—eventually—the shocking reveal of who the New York Ripper truly is.