The Case File Of

Aditi Singh 2013010

Seemed like a random brutal murders of five people in California's Bay Area in 1968 and

1969 .

A series of taunting coded notes sent to the sent local newspapers

explained the motive for the killings.

Identity of the killer buried within an elaborate cipher

message. Hundreds of suspects,

but killer still UNKNOWN.

Claimed to have killed 37 victims.

But only 7 known victims, 5 of which he murdered

and 2 survived. Other suspected victims

of the Zodiac – 3 that were killed and 1 possible

survivor.

Confirmed victims:•David Arthur Faraday, 17, and Betty Lou Jensen, 16.

•Michael Renault Mageau, 19, and Darlene Elizabeth Ferrin, 22: shot on July 4, 1969, in the parking lot ofBlue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo.

•Bryan Calvin Hartnell, 20, and Cecelia Ann Shepard, 22: stabbed on September 27, 1969, at Lake Berryessa in Napa County.

•Paul Lee Stine, 29: shot and killed on October 11, 1969, in the Presidio Heights neighborhood in San Francisco.

Suspected victims:

•Robert Domingos, 18, and Linda Edwards, 17: shot and killed on June 4, 1963, on a beach near Gaviota.

•Cheri Jo Bates, 18: stabbed to death and nearly decapitated on October 30, 1966, at Riverside City College in Riverside.

•Donna Lass, 25: last seen September 6, 1970, in Stateline, Nevada.

There is also a suspected third escapee from the Zodiac Killer:

•Kathleen Johns, 22: allegedly abducted on March 22, 1970, on Highway 132 near I-580, in an area west of Modesto.

 

‘THE LETTERS OF THE KILLER’

The deciphered message said“ I like killing people because it is so much fun... I will not give you my name because you will try to slow down or stop my collecting of slaves for my after life …”

A letter postmarked October 13, 1969, sent to San Francisco investigators ended with another terrifying threat of violence. “School children make nice targets I think I shall wipe out a school bus some morning just shoot out the front tire + pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out.

Twenty-six days after the Blue Rock Springs Park incident, three envelopes arrived at the offices of three Bay Area newspapers. Each envelope contained a handwritten letter and a piece of a coded message.

A crossed-circle symbol had been drawn at the bottom of the page.

Some letters also featured a box score which credited the Zodiac with an increasing number of victims followed by the notation “SFPD = 0” and the taunt, “I hope you have fun trying to figure out who I killed.”

Given the killer’s apparent freedom to do as he pleased, one particular passage was difficult to refute. “The police shall never catch me because I have been too clever for them.

Each new letter became a liability as the psychotic pen pal wrote, “Hey blue pig, doesn’t it rile you to have your nose rubbed in your boo-boos?” and,

“I have grown rather angry with the police for their telling lies about me.”

HIS PSYCHE

Did not stick to one pattern of killing.

Wanted credit for the killings and it seems that his rage was more against female then males.

Motive was to demonstrate his superiority over others.

In his mind, these crimes may seem like proof of his stealth. He may have fantasized about being more daring that he actually was in real life.

Was organized, intelligent, and meticulous.

Had ability to taunt the authorities from a superior perspective and to watch the police make fool of themselves while they attempt to apprehend him.

Various traits included confusion, agitation, social withdrawal, psychosis, catatonia, bizarre behaviour, blunted emotions, disorganized thinking, and negative feelings in regards to society mainly due to his failed attempt to be socially accepted in the community.

Might have suffered from schizophrenia or paranoia.