The Zodiac Killer

By: Bianca Peluso and Urszula Karwowska

Who is the Zodiac Killer?One of the greatest unsolved serial killer mysteries

Operated in Northern California during the late 1960s and early 1970s

Sent taunting letters to the press including 4 cryptograms, 3 which have yet to be solved

The police investigated over 2 500 potential suspects, but the real Zodiac is yet to be found

Zodiac’s M.O.

The Zodiac usually targeted young couples in secluded areas. He used both guns and knives as weapons. On at least one occasion he wore an unusual costume. On two occasions he telephoned the police afterward to report his murders.

Significance of CaseWe believe that this case is significant to the study of law because even though there is an overwhelming amount of

evidence, the killer has not yet been caught. This interests us because through ciphers, the Zodiac was able to confess

and reveal his identity, but the police could not identify him. This shows how clever and

mysterious his techniques are.

The First LetterOn November 29, 1966 a copy of a confession was mailed to the Riverside Police and Riverside Enterprise.

It was entitled “The Confession” and consisted of the word “By” followed by 12 underscores.BY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

It was sent unstamped with no return address

One fingerprint was found on the envelope, but has never been matched to a suspects

Cryptic Messages

“I want you to print this cipher on your frunt page by Fry Afternoon Aug 1-69, If you do not do this I will go on a kill

rampage Fry night that will last the whole week end.  I will cruse around and pick off all stray people or coupples that are alone then move on to kill some more untill I have killed over a dozen

people.”

First and Only Cipher SolvedI LIKE KILLING PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH FUNIT IS MORE FUN THAN KILLING WILD GAME IN THE

FORREST BECAUSE MAN IS THE MOST DANGEROUE ANIMAL OF ALL TO KILL SOMETHING GIVES ME THE MOST THRILLING EXPERENCE

IT IS EVEN BETTER THAN GETTING YOUR ROCKS OFF WITH A GIRL

THE BEST PART IS THAE WHEN I DIE I WILL BE REBORN IN PARADICE AND ALL THE I HAVE KILLED WILL BECOME MY SLAVES

I WILL NOT GIVE YOU MY NAME BECAUSE YOU WILL TRY TO SLOI DOWN OR STOP MY COLLECTING OF SLAVES FOR MY AFTERLIFE EBEORIETEMETHHPITI

Shepard and Hartnell Case

Two college students were picnicking at Twin Oak Ridge.

A large semiautomatic pistol was in his right hand and he pointed it

at Shepard and Hartnell as he spoke.

Cecelia Shepard, age 22, was stabbed 10 times, five in the front and five in the back. Bryan Hartnell, age 20, was stabbed six times in the back.

The knife had a wooden handle and a blade approximately 10 to 12 inches long. There was no indication of robbery or sexual molestation. There

were no witnesses.

Ferrin and Mageau Case

They were attacked at the parking lot of secluded Blue

Rock Springs Park on the eastern outskirts of Vallejo,

California.

Darlene Ferrin, age 22, was shot five times. Mike Mageau, age 19, was shot four times. The weapon was a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. There was no indication of robbery or sexual molestation. There were no witnesses. In 1991, Mike Mageau identified Arthur Leigh Allen as being the shooter. This identification was the result of Mageau being shown a photo lineup by George Bawart of the Vallejo Police Department. When asked why Mageau did not identify Allen in the 20

years since the crime, Mageau replied that he had never been shown photos and only told the names of possible suspects.

Zodiac Killer Theory AnalysisPositivism Theory: it is argued that serious offenders, such as the Zodiac, have inherited criminal traits (“born criminals”).Biological Trait Theory: it is argued that certain human traits may predispose certain individuals to engage in criminal behaviour.Neurophysiological Theory: it is argued that certain brain dysfunctions are connected with criminal activity.Strain Theory: occurs when the criminal cannot achieve their desires and goals through legitimate means; therefore turning to crime

Theories

Since the identity of the Zodiac killer is unknown, it is difficult for us to determine what the motives of his behaviours and actions were. We chose the three theories in which we believed were the most appropriate for the situation and killings. There are many other theories that are not applicable to this case, so we truly believe that the Zodiac killer killed because of how he was brought up and the traits he has inherited.

Evidence This is the Zodiac speaking up to the end of Oct I have killed 7 people. I have grown rather angry with the police for their telling lies about me. So I shall change the way the collecting of slaves. I shall no longer announce to anyone. When I committ my murders, they shall look like routine robberies, killings of anger, + a few fake accidents, etc.The police shall never catch me, because I have been too clever for them.1 I look like the description passed out only when I do my thing, the rest of the time I look entirle different. I shall not tell you what my descise consists of when I kill2 As of yet I have left no fingerprints behind me contrary to what the police say in my killings I wear transparent fingertip guards. All it is is 2 coats of airplane cement coated on my fingertips -- quite unnoticible + very efective3 my killing tools have been boughten through the mail order outfits before the ban went into efect. Except one & it was bought out of the state. So as you can see the police don't have much to work on. If you wonder why I was wipeing the cab down I was leaving fake clews for the police to run all over town with, as one might say, I gave the cops som bussy work to do to keep them happy. I enjoy needling the blue pigs. Hey blue pig I was in the park -- you were useing fire trucks to mask the sound of your cruzeing prowl cars. The dogs never came with in 2 blocks of me + they were to the west + there was only 2 groups of parking about  10 min apart then the motor cicles went by about 150 ft away going from south to north westp.s. 2 cops pulled a goof abot 3 min after I left the cab. I was walking down the hill to the park when this cop car pulled up + one of them called me over + asked if I saw anyone acting suspicious or strange in the last 5 to 10 min + I said yes there was this man who was runnig by waveing a gun & the cops peeled rubber + went around the corner as I directed them + I disappeared into the park a block + a half away never to be seen again. [This section has been marked off with the note "must print in paper."]

Where is the Zodiac today?

The Zodiac remains the most elusive ghost in the history of American serial murder. While some believe that the killer died long ago or is locked away somewhere in a prison cell, others believe that he is still out there, watching the world keep his story alive, enjoying his infamy, and waiting to write an ending as shocking as his unforgettable crimes.