The Zodiac Killer is the pseudonym of an unidentified serial killer active in Northern California during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Confirmed to have killed five people and injured two others, he claimed responsibility for 37 murders. The Zodiac gained national attention through a series of taunting letters, ciphers, and threats sent to newspapers and law enforcement, becoming one of America’s most infamous unsolved criminal cases.
Confirmed Attacks (1968–1969)
- Lake Herman Road Murders (Dec 20, 1968)
Victims: David Faraday (17) and Betty Lou Jensen (16)
Location: Benicia, CA
Both were shot and killed in a lover’s lane-style ambush. - Blue Rock Springs Attack (July 4–5, 1969)
Victims: Darlene Ferrin (22) and Michael Mageau (19)
Location: Vallejo, CA
Ferrin was killed; Mageau survived with gunshot wounds. - Lake Berryessa Stabbings (Sep 27, 1969)
Victims: Bryan Hartnell (20) and Cecelia Shepard (22)
Location: Napa County, CA
Both were bound and stabbed. Hartnell survived; Shepard later died. - Presidio Heights Shooting (Oct 11, 1969)
Victim: Paul Stine (29), cab driver
Location: San Francisco, CA
Shot point-blank in his cab. Zodiac mailed in part of Stine’s shirt.
Key Zodiac Communications
Between 1969 and 1974, the Zodiac mailed at least 18 letters. These included cryptograms, threats, and even physical evidence. Notable mailings include:
- July 31, 1969: First cipher (Z408) split among three newspapers.
- Oct 13, 1969: Swatch of Paul Stine’s shirt sent to San Francisco Chronicle.
- Nov 8, 1969: The complex Z340 cipher, not solved until 2020.
- April 20, 1970: “My name is…” letter with Z13 cipher.
- Jan 29, 1974: Final confirmed letter referencing The Exorcist.
Each letter was typically signed with a crosshairs symbol (⊕) and began with the phrase, “This is the Zodiac speaking.”
The Ciphers
| Cipher Name | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Z408 | Solved | Claimed killings earned him slaves for afterlife. |
| Z340 | Solved | Claimed fearlessness of the gas chamber. |
| Z13 | Unsolved | Very short; includes “My name is” phrase. |
| Z32 | Unsolved | Allegedly contained bomb location. |
Other Possible Victims
- Cheri Jo Bates (1966): Murdered in Riverside, CA. Zodiac hinted at involvement.
- Kathleen Johns (1970): Abducted and escaped from a man resembling the Zodiac.
- Donna Lass (1970): Disappeared in Lake Tahoe; Zodiac hinted at involvement via postcard.
Prime Suspect: Arthur Leigh Allen
- Profession: Former elementary school teacher.
- Connection: Lived near crime scenes, owned Zodiac-branded watch, and made disturbing comments.
- Evidence: Largely circumstantial; DNA and handwriting did not match.
- Death: 1992, before DNA testing became more advanced.
Current Status of the Case
The Zodiac Killer case has remained open for over five decades. Though the San Francisco Police Department marked the case as “inactive” in 2004, it was later reopened. It remains active with the California Department of Justice, FBI, and multiple local agencies.
Cultural Impact
The Zodiac Killer has become a fixture in American pop culture, the subject of numerous books, documentaries, podcasts, and films, most notably David Fincher’s 2007 film Zodiac. Despite countless theories and modern forensic tools, the killer’s identity remains a chilling mystery.
