The Zodiac Killer

The self-proclaimed ‘Zodiac Killer’ was directly linked to at least 5 murders in Northern California from 1968 to 1969. The ‘Zodiac Killer’ was best known for taunting the police and made multiple threats through letters sent to local newspapers. In August 1969, 3 local newspapers received identical handwritten letters from the ‘Zodiac Killer’ which contained details of the December killing that only the culprit would know. Each letter closed with a symbol of a circle with a cross through it which became the ‘Zodiac’s’ symbol. Many letters were written in cyphers which had to be solved to reveal their contents. Ultimately, after intensive investigation, no one was ever charged with the murders and the case still remains

The Victims

• Dec 20, 1968: David Faraday (17) and Betty Lou Jensen (16) both shot dead in their car in a remote spot on Lake Herman Road.
• Jul 5, 1969: Darlene Ferrin (22) and Mike Mageau (19) similarly parked in a remote Vallejo location where a man with a flashlight fired multiple shots killing Ferrin and seriously wounding Mageau. Mageau survived. Vallejo police department was called after this killing where a man claimed responsibility for both this attack and the December one.
• Sept 27, 1969: Cecelia Shepard (22) and Bryan Hartnell (20) brutally stabbed in Lake Berryessa, Napa County. Killer left a note for the police on the side of the car and called police again to claim responsibility. Both victims were alive when emergency services arrived. Shepard died of her wounds but Hartnell survived.
• Oct 11, 1969: Taxidriver Paul Stine (29) shot dead in San Francisco. Crime didn’t initially fit the previous pattern but was linked when a letter from the ‘Zodiac’ claimed responsibility. 
• At least 5 other murders have also been tentatively linked to the ‘Zodiac Killer’.

Theories/Suspects

Over the years more than 2,500 suspects were considered. Some as far-fetched as Una-Bomber Ted Kaczynski and cult leader Charles Manson. Below will detail three of the most well-known suspects and why they were linked to the ‘Zodiac’ case.