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 Case
We 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 Letter
On 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 Solved
I LIKE KILLING PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH FUN
IT 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 Analysis
Positivism 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 kill
2 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 efective
3 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
west
p.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.