November 12, 2024 • 23 mins
The Zodiac Killer remains one of the most terrifying figures in American criminal history.
His murders, his cryptic messages, and his ability to evade capture have left an indelible mark on the psyche of those who study his case.
More than half a century has passed since the Zodiac last struck, but his shadow still looms large, and the true identity of the Zodiac may never be known. But as long as his ciphers remain unsolved and his letters remain unanswered, his legacy will continue to inspire fear, curiosity, and speculation.
His murders, his cryptic messages, and his ability to evade capture have left an indelible mark on the psyche of those who study his case.
More than half a century has passed since the Zodiac last struck, but his shadow still looms large, and the true identity of the Zodiac may never be known. But as long as his ciphers remain unsolved and his letters remain unanswered, his legacy will continue to inspire fear, curiosity, and speculation.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
You're about to enter the vault of the unknowns where history's longest unsolved mysteries
(00:08):
await.
Episode 1 The Zodiac Killer, symbolism, codes and death.
Part 1 A shadow in the Bay Area.
As the late 1960s in Northern California, a time of upheaval, social change and optimism.
(00:33):
Yet in the shadow of the summer of love, a darker figure was emerging.
On December 20, 1968, in the quiet suburban area of Vallejo, two teenagers, Betty Lou Jensen,
and David Faraday were enjoying what was supposed to be an innocent night out.
They parked their car on a lover's lane, unaware that their peaceful evening would be
(00:54):
violently interrupted.
A man approached their car and without warning, open fire, killing both teenagers in cold
blood.
This was no ordinary crime.
There was no clear motive, no obvious suspect, and no leads for the police to pursue.
The attack seemed completely random, leaving investigators baffled.
(01:16):
What the police didn't realize was that this was only the beginning of a terrifying saga
that would grip Northern California and captivate the entire nation.
The man responsible would go on to taunt the public, the media and law enforcement, leaving
a trail of fear and cryptic messages in his wake.
He would soon become known as the Zodiac Killer.
(01:42):
Vallejo, a relatively peaceful town at the time, was ill-prepared for the wave of terror
that was about to engulf it.
The seemingly random act of violence left the community in shock, but there were no clear
answers.
The crime scene provided little forensic evidence.
Shell casings were recovered, but there were no witnesses and no apparent motive.
(02:05):
The randomness of the crime, along with its brutality, was what terrified everyone the most.
The killer hadn't taken anything from the victims.
He hadn't robbed them, hadn't sexually assaulted them.
His motivation appeared to be pure violence.
The investigation into the murders of Jensen and Faraday went cold quickly, but it wouldn't
(02:29):
stay quiet for long.
What no one could have known at the time was that this was just the first move in a deadly
game of cat and mouse.
The killer wasn't content with just committing murder.
He wanted recognition.
He wanted fear, and soon he would get it.
(02:51):
Part 2 The killer strikes again.
Just a few months after the first murders on July 4, 1969, the Zodiac struck again.
This time his targets were another young couple, Darleen Farron and Michael McGill.
The couple was sitting in a parked car at Blu-Rock Springs Park, not far from Vallejo.
(03:14):
The location was eerily similar to the previous attack.
Like before, the killer approached the vehicle and opened fire without warning.
Darleen was killed instantly, but Michael miraculously survived, despite being shot multiple
times.
What makes this attack particularly significant is not just the brutality of the act, but
(03:35):
what happened shortly after work.
Approximately 40 minutes after the shooting, the Vallejo Police Department received an
anonymous phone call.
The voice on the other end, calmly stated, "I want to report a double murder.
If you go one mile east on Columbus Parkway, you'll find kids in a brown car.
(03:56):
They were shot with a 9 mm-luger.
I also killed those kids last year.
Goodbye."
The killer had claimed responsibility not only for this latest attack, but for the murders
of Jensen and Faraday as well.
His phone call would mark the beginning of the Zodiac's chilling game with the authorities.
He wasn't just content to kill.
(04:17):
He wanted everyone to know that it was him, and he wanted to remind them that he was still
out there.
The voice on the phone gave investigators their first real insight into the Zodiac's mindset.
He was calm, methodical, and clearly enjoyed toying with law enforcement.
(04:38):
This was not a killer who would fade into the background.
He was determined to keep the police and the public on edge, always wondering when he would
strike next.
Part 3 The Letters Begin
Less than a month after the attack on Faran and Majo, the Zodiac took his game to a new
(04:59):
level.
On August 1st, 1969, three local newspapers, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Vallejo
Times' Herald, and the San Francisco Examiner, each received letters from someone claiming
to be the killer.
The letters contained a shocking revelation.
The Zodiac included a three-part cipher that, when solved, was supposed to reveal his identity.
(05:25):
The killer demanded that each newspaper publish the ciphers on their front pages, or he would
kill again.
The Zodiac signed these letters with a symbol that would soon become infamous.
The crosshair, a circle with a cross through it, resembling the sight of a gun.
This symbol, along with the chilling phrase, "this is the Zodiac speaking," became his calling
(05:50):
card.
The decision to include ciphers in the letters added a new terrifying element to the case.
The Zodiac wasn't just killing at random. He was communicating, engaging in a twisted form
of dialogue with the public.
He was taunting the police, daring them to catch him.
(06:10):
While at the same time creating a puzzle for the public to solve, the ciphers were complex,
made up of strange symbols, letters, and numbers, cracking them would not be easy.
The inclusion of the ciphers also suggested that the Zodiac had a degree of intelligence
in sophistication that set him apart from other killers.
(06:32):
He wasn't just a man driven by bloodlust. He was a predator who enjoyed playing mind
games.
The authorities were now dealing with a killer who was as much a psychological threat as
a physical, um, part four.
The first cipher cracked.
The ciphers, sent by the Zodiac, captivated the public's attention.
(06:56):
Everyone wanted to be the one, part three.
The letters begin.
Less than a month after the attack on Farron and Majo, the Zodiac took his game to a new
level.
On August 1st, 1969, three local newspapers, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Vallejo Times
Herald, and the San Francisco Examiner, each received letters from someone claiming
(07:20):
to be the killer.
The letters contained a shocking revelation.
The Zodiac included a three-part cipher that, when solved, was supposed to reveal his identity.
The killer demanded that each newspaper publish the ciphers on their front pages, or he would
kill again.
The Zodiac signed these letters with a symbol that would soon become infamous.
(07:45):
The crosshair, a circle with a cross through it, resembling the sight of a gun.
This symbol, along with the chilling phrase, "This is the Zodiac speaking," became his calling
card.
The decision to include ciphers in the letters added a new, terrifying element to the case.
The Zodiac wasn't just killing at random.
(08:08):
He was communicating, engaging in a twisted form of dialogue with the public.
He was taunting the police, daring them to catch him.
While at the same time creating a puzzle for the public to solve, the ciphers were complex
made up of strange symbols, letters, and numbers, cracking them would not be easy.
(08:29):
The inclusion of the ciphers also suggested that the Zodiac had a degree of intelligence
and sophistication that set him apart from other killers.
He wasn't just a man driven by bloodlust.
He was a predator who enjoyed playing mind games.
The authorities were now dealing with a killer who was as much a psychological threat as
(08:51):
a physical one.
Part 4.
The first cipher cracked.
The ciphers, sent by the Zodiac, captivated the public's attention.
Everyone wanted to be the one to crack the code and reveal the killer's identity.
Just a week after the letters were sent, a schoolteacher named Donald Harten and his wife Betty
(09:14):
managed to solve the first cipher known as the Z408 cipher.
The message revealed within the cipher was disturbing, but not particularly helpful in identifying
the killer.
It read, "I like killing people because it is so much fun.
It is more fun than killing wild game in the forest because man is the most dangerous animal
(09:40):
of all.
To kill something gives me the most thrilling experience.
It is even better than getting your rocks off with a girl.
The best part of it is that when I die, I will be reborn in paradise and all those I
have killed will become my slaves.
I will not give you my name because you will try to slow down or stop my collecting of
(10:06):
slaves for my afterlife."
The content of the message revealed a chilling insight into the Zodiac's twisted mind.
His references to killing as a thrilling experience and his delusion about collecting slaves
for the afterlife indicated that this was not a man who could be reasoned with him.
(10:28):
He saw himself as superior, untouchable, and immune to the consequences of his actions.
His refusal to reveal his name only added to the frustration of law enforcement, who
were left with more questions than answers.
The solving of the first cipher brought temporary relief to the public, but it was clear
(10:50):
that the Zodiac had no intention of stopping.
He had succeeded in creating a media spectacle, one in which he was the star.
His letters and ciphers were front-page news and the fear he had generated was palpable.
The Zodiac was now not just a local killer.
He was a national figure of terror.
(11:13):
Part 5
The killing at Lake Berriessa
The Zodiac's reign of terror continued and it wasn't long before he struck again.
In September 27, 1969, college students, Brian Hartnell and Cecilia Sheppard were enjoying
a quiet afternoon by Lake Berriessa.
(11:34):
The two were relaxing by the water when a man in an executioner's style hood approached
them.
His appearance was terrifying, he was dressed all in black, with a large white crosshair
symbol on his chest.
The man brandished a gun and told Brian and Cecilia that he was an escaped convict and he needed
(11:56):
money and their car to get across the Mexican border.
He tied both of them up with pre-cut lengths of rope all the while assuring them that he
wouldn't hurt them.
But once they were immobilized, he took out a knife and began to stab them repeatedly.
Brian was stabbed six times in the back and Cecilia was stabbed ten times in the back
(12:18):
and abdomen.
After the brutal attack, the assailant calmly walked back to Brian's car and crawled a chilling
message on the door, the date, time, and the Zodiac symbol along with the words "by knife."
Unlike the Zodiac's previous victims, both Brian and Cecilia were conscious after the attack.
(12:42):
Cecilia, although gravely injured, was able to give a description of the attacker before
she succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
Brian, though critically wounded, survived and became one of the few people to have come
face to face with the Zodiac and lived to tell the tale.
After the attack, the Zodiac made his now familiar phone call to the police.
(13:07):
Once again he calmly reported the crime, telling them exactly where to find the bodies.
His voice was steady, unhurried, and completely devoid of emotion.
The call only added to the Zodiac's reputation as a cold, calculating killer who seemed to
take pleasure in his ability to instill fear.
(13:28):
The Lake Berriessa attack was different from the Zodiac's previous murders in several
ways.
For one, the killer had shown his face, albeit covered with a mask, and had spoken directly
to his victims.
This was not a crime committed in the shadows, but an audacious, daytime attack.
(13:48):
The killer's choice to use a knife instead of a gun also suggested a deepening of his
sadistic tendencies.
He wasn't content with simply killing, he wanted to inflict pain and terror.
Part 6.
The murder of Paul Stein.
Just two weeks after the Lake Berriessa attack, on October 11, 1969, the Zodiac struck again.
(14:15):
This time his victim was Paul Stein, a 29-year-old cab driver in San Francisco's upscale Presidio
Heights neighborhood.
Stein picked up a passenger and drove him to the intersection of Washington and Cherry
Streets, where the passenger pulled out a gun and shot Stein in the head at Point Blank
Range.
(14:36):
This murder was unlike the others.
It didn't fit the Zodiac's usual pattern of targeting couples in secluded areas.
This was a bold, public execution in the heart of one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods.
After killing Stein, the Zodiac commonly removed a piece of the cab driver's bloodied shirt
(14:58):
and disappeared into the night.
The case might have gone unsolved as the police initially believed the murder to be a robbery
gone wrong.
Just days after the murder, the San Francisco Chronicle received another letter from the
Zodiac.
Inside the envelope was a piece of Paul Stein's blood-stained shirt, along with a chilling
(15:19):
letter in which the Zodiac claimed credit for the murder.
The Zodiac's willingness to strike in such a public place, in broad view of potential
witnesses, demonstrated his growing confidence.
He wasn't just a killer.
He was a figure of terror who could operate with impunity.
(15:40):
The fact that he had been able to leave the scene of the crime undetected, despite being
in a heavily populated area, only added to his aura of invincibility.
This murder marked a significant turning point in the Zodiac's campaign of terror.
It showed that he was no longer confined to rural or suburban settings.
(16:01):
He could strike anywhere at any time, and no one was safe.
Part 7 The Letters from Hell As the body count grew, so did
the Zodiac's appetite for attention.
Over the next few months, he continued to send letters to the press, taunting both the police
(16:21):
and the public.
These letters were often accompanied by ciphers or threats of future killings.
The Zodiac seemed to relish his ability to keep everyone on edge, never knowing when or
where he would strike next.
One of the most infamous letters, known as the "My Name is Cipher," was sent in April 1970.
(16:44):
In it, the Zodiac claimed to include a cipher that would reveal his real name.
The cipher, known as the "Z13," remains unsolved to this day.
The brevity of the cipher and the fact that it contains so few characters has led some
experts to believe that it may never be solved.
(17:06):
In another letter, the Zodiac threatened to attack a school bus, stating that he would
shoot out the tires and pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out.
This particular threat caused widespread panic in the Bay Area, with many parents keeping
their children home from school out of fear that the Zodiac would make good on his promise.
(17:31):
The letters also showcased the Zodiac's twisted sense of humor.
He often mocked the police for their inability to catch him and ridiculed the public's attempts
to decipher his codes.
The Zodiac's letters weren't just about taunting the authorities, they were a way for him to
remain in control of the narrative.
As long as he kept sending letters, he knew that he would stay in the public eye.
(17:56):
The media was playing right into his hands and the Zodiac reveled in the attention.
Part 8.
Theories and Suspects Despite the numerous letters, murders and ciphers, the Zodiac killer's identity
remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in criminal history.
(18:17):
Two of the years, law enforcement and citizen detectives have compiled a list of potential
suspects, each with their own compelling, yet ultimately inconclusive connections to the
crimes.
One of the most infamous suspects is Arthur Lee Allen.
Allen was a convicted child molester who lived in close proximity to the locations of several
(18:42):
Zodiac murders.
He had a history of violent behavior and was known to possess a watch bearing the Zodiac
brand, which featured a crosshair symbol similar to the one used by the killer.
Additionally, Allen was identified by one of the surviving Zodiac victims, and his name
came up multiple times during the investigation.
(19:05):
Despite these circumstantial links, Allen was never definitively tied to the murders.
His handwriting didn't match samples from the Zodiac's letters and DNA evidence later excluded
him as a match to DNA found on the Zodiac letters.
Nonetheless, many still believe that Allen was the Zodiac based on the weight of other circumstantial
(19:27):
evidence.
Another strong suspect is Lawrence Kane, a man with a criminal record who lived near the
murder sites.
Kane had a history of brain trauma which some theorized could have led to erratic behavior
and violence.
He was also identified by Kathleen Johns, a woman who was allegedly abducted by the Zodiac
(19:48):
and later escaped.
Despite this, like Allen, Kane was never conclusively linked to the crimes.
Other potential suspects include Richard Gaikovsky, a journalist whose work often centered around
Zodiac case, an Earl van Best Jr., who was implicated in the book the most dangerous animal
(20:08):
of all by his son Gary Stewart.
Van Best bore a striking resemblance to the composite sketch of the Zodiac, but again, there
was no solid evidence to link him to the murders.
Theories about the Zodiac's identity range from the plausible to the far-fetched.
Some believe the Zodiac was a man with military training, given his knowledge of weapons and
(20:34):
cryptography.
Others suggest that he may have been a local police officer or someone with inside knowledge
of police procedures, which would explain how he managed to elude capture for so long.
There are even those who speculate that the Zodiac moved to another state or country, continuing
his killing spree under a different alias.
(20:57):
As time passed, many of the original suspects died, taking with them any potential answers
about the case.
Despite new advances in forensic technology, including DNA analysis, the Zodiac's true identity
remains unknown.
Part 9.
The Enduring Mystery
(21:20):
What makes the Zodiac case so enduring, even decades later?
Part of it is the sheer audacity of the killer.
The Zodiac didn't just commit brutal murders.
He openly taunted law enforcement and the public.
He crafted an image of himself as a mastermind, a figure who could strike anywhere at any
(21:41):
time and leave little trace behind.
Then there are the ciphers.
Even after all these years, not all of the Zodiac's codes have been cracked.
The unsolved Z13 cipher in particular continues to baffle cryptographers.
The possibility that the killer's true name might be hidden within one of those codes keeps
(22:05):
the mystery alive.
Every few years, a new theory or breakthrough emerges only to fall short of solving the
case.
The Zodiac's ability to vanish after his final confirmed murder has only added to his
legend.
Did he die?
Was he imprisoned for an unrelated crime?
(22:26):
Or did he simply stop killing content with the chaos he had caused?
These questions have no definitive answers, and the lack of resolution is part of what keeps
the public so fascinated.
The case has also been kept in the public eye through the pop culture, movies like Zodiac
(22:46):
2007, and countless documentaries have explored the case, presenting new angles, re-examining
the evidence, and offering fresh insights.
The Zodiac killer's story has transcended its origins as a true crime case to become a part
of American folklore, a dark tale of unsolved murders and mysterious ciphers.
(23:15):
You've been listening to the vault of the unknowns.
Until next time, stay curious.
And keep an eye on the shadows.
[MUSIC]
[BLANK_AUDIO]
You're about to enter the vault of the unknowns where history's longest unsolved mysteries
(00:08):
await.
Episode 1 The Zodiac Killer, symbolism, codes and death.
Part 1 A shadow in the Bay Area.
As the late 1960s in Northern California, a time of upheaval, social change and optimism.
(00:33):
Yet in the shadow of the summer of love, a darker figure was emerging.
On December 20, 1968, in the quiet suburban area of Vallejo, two teenagers, Betty Lou Jensen,
and David Faraday were enjoying what was supposed to be an innocent night out.
They parked their car on a lover's lane, unaware that their peaceful evening would be
(00:54):
violently interrupted.
A man approached their car and without warning, open fire, killing both teenagers in cold
blood.
This was no ordinary crime.
There was no clear motive, no obvious suspect, and no leads for the police to pursue.
The attack seemed completely random, leaving investigators baffled.
(01:16):
What the police didn't realize was that this was only the beginning of a terrifying saga
that would grip Northern California and captivate the entire nation.
The man responsible would go on to taunt the public, the media and law enforcement, leaving
a trail of fear and cryptic messages in his wake.
He would soon become known as the Zodiac Killer.
(01:42):
Vallejo, a relatively peaceful town at the time, was ill-prepared for the wave of terror
that was about to engulf it.
The seemingly random act of violence left the community in shock, but there were no clear
answers.
The crime scene provided little forensic evidence.
Shell casings were recovered, but there were no witnesses and no apparent motive.
(02:05):
The randomness of the crime, along with its brutality, was what terrified everyone the most.
The killer hadn't taken anything from the victims.
He hadn't robbed them, hadn't sexually assaulted them.
His motivation appeared to be pure violence.
The investigation into the murders of Jensen and Faraday went cold quickly, but it wouldn't
(02:29):
stay quiet for long.
What no one could have known at the time was that this was just the first move in a deadly
game of cat and mouse.
The killer wasn't content with just committing murder.
He wanted recognition.
He wanted fear, and soon he would get it.
(02:51):
Part 2 The killer strikes again.
Just a few months after the first murders on July 4, 1969, the Zodiac struck again.
This time his targets were another young couple, Darleen Farron and Michael McGill.
The couple was sitting in a parked car at Blu-Rock Springs Park, not far from Vallejo.
(03:14):
The location was eerily similar to the previous attack.
Like before, the killer approached the vehicle and opened fire without warning.
Darleen was killed instantly, but Michael miraculously survived, despite being shot multiple
times.
What makes this attack particularly significant is not just the brutality of the act, but
(03:35):
what happened shortly after work.
Approximately 40 minutes after the shooting, the Vallejo Police Department received an
anonymous phone call.
The voice on the other end, calmly stated, "I want to report a double murder.
If you go one mile east on Columbus Parkway, you'll find kids in a brown car.
(03:56):
They were shot with a 9 mm-luger.
I also killed those kids last year.
Goodbye."
The killer had claimed responsibility not only for this latest attack, but for the murders
of Jensen and Faraday as well.
His phone call would mark the beginning of the Zodiac's chilling game with the authorities.
He wasn't just content to kill.
(04:17):
He wanted everyone to know that it was him, and he wanted to remind them that he was still
out there.
The voice on the phone gave investigators their first real insight into the Zodiac's mindset.
He was calm, methodical, and clearly enjoyed toying with law enforcement.
(04:38):
This was not a killer who would fade into the background.
He was determined to keep the police and the public on edge, always wondering when he would
strike next.
Part 3 The Letters Begin
Less than a month after the attack on Faran and Majo, the Zodiac took his game to a new
(04:59):
level.
On August 1st, 1969, three local newspapers, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Vallejo
Times' Herald, and the San Francisco Examiner, each received letters from someone claiming
to be the killer.
The letters contained a shocking revelation.
The Zodiac included a three-part cipher that, when solved, was supposed to reveal his identity.
(05:25):
The killer demanded that each newspaper publish the ciphers on their front pages, or he would
kill again.
The Zodiac signed these letters with a symbol that would soon become infamous.
The crosshair, a circle with a cross through it, resembling the sight of a gun.
This symbol, along with the chilling phrase, "this is the Zodiac speaking," became his calling
(05:50):
card.
The decision to include ciphers in the letters added a new terrifying element to the case.
The Zodiac wasn't just killing at random. He was communicating, engaging in a twisted form
of dialogue with the public.
He was taunting the police, daring them to catch him.
(06:10):
While at the same time creating a puzzle for the public to solve, the ciphers were complex,
made up of strange symbols, letters, and numbers, cracking them would not be easy.
The inclusion of the ciphers also suggested that the Zodiac had a degree of intelligence
in sophistication that set him apart from other killers.
(06:32):
He wasn't just a man driven by bloodlust. He was a predator who enjoyed playing mind
games.
The authorities were now dealing with a killer who was as much a psychological threat as
a physical, um, part four.
The first cipher cracked.
The ciphers, sent by the Zodiac, captivated the public's attention.
(06:56):
Everyone wanted to be the one, part three.
The letters begin.
Less than a month after the attack on Farron and Majo, the Zodiac took his game to a new
level.
On August 1st, 1969, three local newspapers, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Vallejo Times
Herald, and the San Francisco Examiner, each received letters from someone claiming
(07:20):
to be the killer.
The letters contained a shocking revelation.
The Zodiac included a three-part cipher that, when solved, was supposed to reveal his identity.
The killer demanded that each newspaper publish the ciphers on their front pages, or he would
kill again.
The Zodiac signed these letters with a symbol that would soon become infamous.
(07:45):
The crosshair, a circle with a cross through it, resembling the sight of a gun.
This symbol, along with the chilling phrase, "This is the Zodiac speaking," became his calling
card.
The decision to include ciphers in the letters added a new, terrifying element to the case.
The Zodiac wasn't just killing at random.
(08:08):
He was communicating, engaging in a twisted form of dialogue with the public.
He was taunting the police, daring them to catch him.
While at the same time creating a puzzle for the public to solve, the ciphers were complex
made up of strange symbols, letters, and numbers, cracking them would not be easy.
(08:29):
The inclusion of the ciphers also suggested that the Zodiac had a degree of intelligence
and sophistication that set him apart from other killers.
He wasn't just a man driven by bloodlust.
He was a predator who enjoyed playing mind games.
The authorities were now dealing with a killer who was as much a psychological threat as
(08:51):
a physical one.
Part 4.
The first cipher cracked.
The ciphers, sent by the Zodiac, captivated the public's attention.
Everyone wanted to be the one to crack the code and reveal the killer's identity.
Just a week after the letters were sent, a schoolteacher named Donald Harten and his wife Betty
(09:14):
managed to solve the first cipher known as the Z408 cipher.
The message revealed within the cipher was disturbing, but not particularly helpful in identifying
the killer.
It read, "I like killing people because it is so much fun.
It is more fun than killing wild game in the forest because man is the most dangerous animal
(09:40):
of all.
To kill something gives me the most thrilling experience.
It is even better than getting your rocks off with a girl.
The best part of it is that when I die, I will be reborn in paradise and all those I
have killed will become my slaves.
I will not give you my name because you will try to slow down or stop my collecting of
(10:06):
slaves for my afterlife."
The content of the message revealed a chilling insight into the Zodiac's twisted mind.
His references to killing as a thrilling experience and his delusion about collecting slaves
for the afterlife indicated that this was not a man who could be reasoned with him.
(10:28):
He saw himself as superior, untouchable, and immune to the consequences of his actions.
His refusal to reveal his name only added to the frustration of law enforcement, who
were left with more questions than answers.
The solving of the first cipher brought temporary relief to the public, but it was clear
(10:50):
that the Zodiac had no intention of stopping.
He had succeeded in creating a media spectacle, one in which he was the star.
His letters and ciphers were front-page news and the fear he had generated was palpable.
The Zodiac was now not just a local killer.
He was a national figure of terror.
(11:13):
Part 5
The killing at Lake Berriessa
The Zodiac's reign of terror continued and it wasn't long before he struck again.
In September 27, 1969, college students, Brian Hartnell and Cecilia Sheppard were enjoying
a quiet afternoon by Lake Berriessa.
(11:34):
The two were relaxing by the water when a man in an executioner's style hood approached
them.
His appearance was terrifying, he was dressed all in black, with a large white crosshair
symbol on his chest.
The man brandished a gun and told Brian and Cecilia that he was an escaped convict and he needed
(11:56):
money and their car to get across the Mexican border.
He tied both of them up with pre-cut lengths of rope all the while assuring them that he
wouldn't hurt them.
But once they were immobilized, he took out a knife and began to stab them repeatedly.
Brian was stabbed six times in the back and Cecilia was stabbed ten times in the back
(12:18):
and abdomen.
After the brutal attack, the assailant calmly walked back to Brian's car and crawled a chilling
message on the door, the date, time, and the Zodiac symbol along with the words "by knife."
Unlike the Zodiac's previous victims, both Brian and Cecilia were conscious after the attack.
(12:42):
Cecilia, although gravely injured, was able to give a description of the attacker before
she succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
Brian, though critically wounded, survived and became one of the few people to have come
face to face with the Zodiac and lived to tell the tale.
After the attack, the Zodiac made his now familiar phone call to the police.
(13:07):
Once again he calmly reported the crime, telling them exactly where to find the bodies.
His voice was steady, unhurried, and completely devoid of emotion.
The call only added to the Zodiac's reputation as a cold, calculating killer who seemed to
take pleasure in his ability to instill fear.
(13:28):
The Lake Berriessa attack was different from the Zodiac's previous murders in several
ways.
For one, the killer had shown his face, albeit covered with a mask, and had spoken directly
to his victims.
This was not a crime committed in the shadows, but an audacious, daytime attack.
(13:48):
The killer's choice to use a knife instead of a gun also suggested a deepening of his
sadistic tendencies.
He wasn't content with simply killing, he wanted to inflict pain and terror.
Part 6.
The murder of Paul Stein.
Just two weeks after the Lake Berriessa attack, on October 11, 1969, the Zodiac struck again.
(14:15):
This time his victim was Paul Stein, a 29-year-old cab driver in San Francisco's upscale Presidio
Heights neighborhood.
Stein picked up a passenger and drove him to the intersection of Washington and Cherry
Streets, where the passenger pulled out a gun and shot Stein in the head at Point Blank
Range.
(14:36):
This murder was unlike the others.
It didn't fit the Zodiac's usual pattern of targeting couples in secluded areas.
This was a bold, public execution in the heart of one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods.
After killing Stein, the Zodiac commonly removed a piece of the cab driver's bloodied shirt
(14:58):
and disappeared into the night.
The case might have gone unsolved as the police initially believed the murder to be a robbery
gone wrong.
Just days after the murder, the San Francisco Chronicle received another letter from the
Zodiac.
Inside the envelope was a piece of Paul Stein's blood-stained shirt, along with a chilling
(15:19):
letter in which the Zodiac claimed credit for the murder.
The Zodiac's willingness to strike in such a public place, in broad view of potential
witnesses, demonstrated his growing confidence.
He wasn't just a killer.
He was a figure of terror who could operate with impunity.
(15:40):
The fact that he had been able to leave the scene of the crime undetected, despite being
in a heavily populated area, only added to his aura of invincibility.
This murder marked a significant turning point in the Zodiac's campaign of terror.
It showed that he was no longer confined to rural or suburban settings.
(16:01):
He could strike anywhere at any time, and no one was safe.
Part 7 The Letters from Hell As the body count grew, so did
the Zodiac's appetite for attention.
Over the next few months, he continued to send letters to the press, taunting both the police
(16:21):
and the public.
These letters were often accompanied by ciphers or threats of future killings.
The Zodiac seemed to relish his ability to keep everyone on edge, never knowing when or
where he would strike next.
One of the most infamous letters, known as the "My Name is Cipher," was sent in April 1970.
(16:44):
In it, the Zodiac claimed to include a cipher that would reveal his real name.
The cipher, known as the "Z13," remains unsolved to this day.
The brevity of the cipher and the fact that it contains so few characters has led some
experts to believe that it may never be solved.
(17:06):
In another letter, the Zodiac threatened to attack a school bus, stating that he would
shoot out the tires and pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out.
This particular threat caused widespread panic in the Bay Area, with many parents keeping
their children home from school out of fear that the Zodiac would make good on his promise.
(17:31):
The letters also showcased the Zodiac's twisted sense of humor.
He often mocked the police for their inability to catch him and ridiculed the public's attempts
to decipher his codes.
The Zodiac's letters weren't just about taunting the authorities, they were a way for him to
remain in control of the narrative.
As long as he kept sending letters, he knew that he would stay in the public eye.
(17:56):
The media was playing right into his hands and the Zodiac reveled in the attention.
Part 8.
Theories and Suspects Despite the numerous letters, murders and ciphers, the Zodiac killer's identity
remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in criminal history.
(18:17):
Two of the years, law enforcement and citizen detectives have compiled a list of potential
suspects, each with their own compelling, yet ultimately inconclusive connections to the
crimes.
One of the most infamous suspects is Arthur Lee Allen.
Allen was a convicted child molester who lived in close proximity to the locations of several
(18:42):
Zodiac murders.
He had a history of violent behavior and was known to possess a watch bearing the Zodiac
brand, which featured a crosshair symbol similar to the one used by the killer.
Additionally, Allen was identified by one of the surviving Zodiac victims, and his name
came up multiple times during the investigation.
(19:05):
Despite these circumstantial links, Allen was never definitively tied to the murders.
His handwriting didn't match samples from the Zodiac's letters and DNA evidence later excluded
him as a match to DNA found on the Zodiac letters.
Nonetheless, many still believe that Allen was the Zodiac based on the weight of other circumstantial
(19:27):
evidence.
Another strong suspect is Lawrence Kane, a man with a criminal record who lived near the
murder sites.
Kane had a history of brain trauma which some theorized could have led to erratic behavior
and violence.
He was also identified by Kathleen Johns, a woman who was allegedly abducted by the Zodiac
(19:48):
and later escaped.
Despite this, like Allen, Kane was never conclusively linked to the crimes.
Other potential suspects include Richard Gaikovsky, a journalist whose work often centered around
Zodiac case, an Earl van Best Jr., who was implicated in the book the most dangerous animal
(20:08):
of all by his son Gary Stewart.
Van Best bore a striking resemblance to the composite sketch of the Zodiac, but again, there
was no solid evidence to link him to the murders.
Theories about the Zodiac's identity range from the plausible to the far-fetched.
Some believe the Zodiac was a man with military training, given his knowledge of weapons and
(20:34):
cryptography.
Others suggest that he may have been a local police officer or someone with inside knowledge
of police procedures, which would explain how he managed to elude capture for so long.
There are even those who speculate that the Zodiac moved to another state or country, continuing
his killing spree under a different alias.
(20:57):
As time passed, many of the original suspects died, taking with them any potential answers
about the case.
Despite new advances in forensic technology, including DNA analysis, the Zodiac's true identity
remains unknown.
Part 9.
The Enduring Mystery
(21:20):
What makes the Zodiac case so enduring, even decades later?
Part of it is the sheer audacity of the killer.
The Zodiac didn't just commit brutal murders.
He openly taunted law enforcement and the public.
He crafted an image of himself as a mastermind, a figure who could strike anywhere at any
(21:41):
time and leave little trace behind.
Then there are the ciphers.
Even after all these years, not all of the Zodiac's codes have been cracked.
The unsolved Z13 cipher in particular continues to baffle cryptographers.
The possibility that the killer's true name might be hidden within one of those codes keeps
(22:05):
the mystery alive.
Every few years, a new theory or breakthrough emerges only to fall short of solving the
case.
The Zodiac's ability to vanish after his final confirmed murder has only added to his
legend.
Did he die?
Was he imprisoned for an unrelated crime?
(22:26):
Or did he simply stop killing content with the chaos he had caused?
These questions have no definitive answers, and the lack of resolution is part of what keeps
the public so fascinated.
The case has also been kept in the public eye through the pop culture, movies like Zodiac
(22:46):
2007, and countless documentaries have explored the case, presenting new angles, re-examining
the evidence, and offering fresh insights.
The Zodiac killer's story has transcended its origins as a true crime case to become a part
of American folklore, a dark tale of unsolved murders and mysterious ciphers.
(23:15):
You've been listening to the vault of the unknowns.
Until next time, stay curious.
And keep an eye on the shadows.
[MUSIC]
[BLANK_AUDIO]
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