The Crime

“Zodiac” was a serial killer who was active in the late 1960s and possibly the early 1970s. He operated in Northern California and had at least 5 victims although the total number is unknown. This story map is a timeline of each of his killings starting with the confirmed victims and then the possible victims.

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The Evidence

The famous wanted poster – Based on all the descriptions given the police created composite drawings of the killer which were then added to a wanted poster.

The bloody fingerprint – A fingerprint was found in the cab after the Presidio Heights killed, however, the Zodiac later claimed in a letter that it was a fake print that he had planted to throw off the cops.

Further letters – A letter was received by the San Francisco Chronicle 2 days after Presidio Heights killing, that claimed the Zodiac was responsible for Paul Stines murder and included a piece of his bloody shirt. Another letter on April 20th, 1970 included a code that started with “my name is _”. Further letters were sent until 1971 and then his final letter was received in 1974 where he claimed to have killed 37 people.

The stamp – Much later in 2002, a partial genetic sample was retrieved from one of the Zodiac’s stamps. Although the DNA wasn’t conclusive it was enough to eliminate some of the potential suspects.

 

The Suspects

Earl Van Best Jr.

For:

• His appearance matches the composite sketches
• His name matches the number of characters in the letter code
• Handwriting experts are “virtually certain” the writing from his marriage certificate matches the letters

Against:

• The marriage certificate was actually written by the priest which implicates him rather than Earl Van Best Jr.
• His appearance only matches the Paul Stine description and not previous killings

Arthur Leigh Allen

For:

• Allen was known to be a Lake Berryessa on the day of the crime and then came home coved in blood with a knife
• A friend of his said that he referred to himself as the Zodiac before the killer publicly did
• He also to a friend that he was going to hunt people with a gun that has a torch taped to it
• His favorite book was “The Most Dangerous Game”, a book about hunting humans and a book referenced in the Zodiac’s first letter.
• He wore a Zodiac branded watch that used the same symbol as the killer
• A search of his home found no direct evidence however there were small, dissected animals, and bloody knives
• During the 3 years, he spent in jail, no Zodiac letters were received by the press
• Another friend told police that Allen had admitted he murdered Paul Stine
• Micheal Mageau, one of the 2nd victims, picked Allen out of a line up as the man who shot him
• Another search of his home finds bombs and tapes about the Zodiac killer

Against:

• Allen’s DNA did not match the stamps however it was believed that he got other people to lick his stamps for him
• His prints did not match the bloody fingerprint found at Paul Stines murder.
• Allen’s handwriting also didn’t match the Zodiac’s
• He also doesn’t match the description given by the Presidio witnesses.