The Zodiac Killer

The Zodiac Killer was an enigmatic spree killer who was active in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Background
Nothing definitive is known about the Zodiac's background. The only theories that exist, as profiled by John Douglas and other FBI agents, are that the killer may have a Naval background, and that--due to his uncommon grammar and spelling--may possibly be British.

Letters
The Zodiac is known to have sent many cryptographic and puzzling letters to not only the SFPD, but the press as well. In these letters, the Zodiac made his intentions and wishes known. In some, he would include odd drawings, mosaics of photos, and astrological charts. One letter include a cypher with which the police could use to discover his identity. They were unsuccessful in accurately translating it.

After the Zodiac's first known kills, a local San Francisco newspaper received this letter detailing the murders of David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen: Dear Editor, This is the murderer of the 2 teenagers last Christmas at Lake Herman & the girl on the 4th of July near the golf course in Vallejo To prove I killed them I shall state some facts which only I & the police know Christmas 1. Brand name of ammo Super X 2 10 shots were fired 3 the boy was on his back with his feet to the car 4 the girl was on her right side feet to the west 4th July 1 girl was wearing paterned slacks 2 The boy was also shot in the knee 3 Brand name of ammo was western (over) Here is part of the cipher the other 2 parts of this cipher are being mailed to the editors of the Vallejo times & SF Exam iner. I want you to print this cipher on the front page of your ''paper. In this cipher is my'' identity. If you do not print this cipher ''by the Fry. 1st of'' Aug 69, I will go on a kill ram- ''Page Fry. night. I will cruse'' around all weekend killing lone people in the night then move on to kill again, untill I end up with a dozen people over the weekend.

Profile
The Zodiac was an unorganized Spree Killer. He was a narcissist who craved attention, and sought to make himself known by taunting the police. From the letters received by police, it was apparent that the Zodiac wanted his identity to be known eventually, but was interested in seeing who would be smart enough to crack his code. In this way he is very similar to Criminal Minds character George Foyet; the main difference being Foyet's use of the Eye of Providence as opposed to astrological symbols.

As mentioned before, his use of odd spellings led police to believe that he was foreign, possibly British, and would have a military background. This would be either Naval or Merchant Marine.

Modus Operandi
From the accounts of the few survivors of known Zodiac attacks, it is generally beleived that the Zodiac dressed in black clothing of various types (depending on the month), and wore a hood and/or mask. A few of the eye-witness accounts describe his garb as being decorated with various Zodiac symbols as well as the truncated Zodiac wheel (a circle with a "+" sign in the center). His methods varied also, with some victims being dispatched by an automatic pistol (of several types), or bladed weapons; most notably what was probably a military-style knife.

Confirmed Victims

 * Cheri Jo Bates
 * Betty Lou Lensen
 * David Faraday
 * Michael Mageau
 * Darlene Ferrin
 * Bryan Hartnell
 * Cecilia Shepherd
 * Paul Stine

There are, in addition, 37 other possible victims

Source

 * Zodiac by Robert Graysmith 1986 ISBN 0-425-09808-7