Zodiac: The Most Wanted Serial Killer of 20th Century

On the night of December 20, 1968, a young couple set out for their very first date. Seeking privacy, they drove toward Lake Herman in California. The couple—16-year-old Betty Lou Jensen and 17-year-old David Faraday—had no idea that a stranger was quietly tailing them.

Just as they parked near the lake, another car pulled up behind them. A man stepped out and ordered them to exit their vehicle. When they refused, the man fired a warning shot at their car’s rear tire. Terrified, David and Betty ran—but the man opened fire, shooting David in the head and Betty in the back five times.

That horrifying night marked the beginning of one of America’s most terrifying serial killer sagas: the story of the Zodiac Killer.

Terror in San Francisco

Between the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Zodiac Killer haunted San Francisco with a series of brutal murders. What made this killer different was his arrogance—he sent letters to newspapers and police, boasting about his crimes and enclosing cryptic puzzles and coded messages.

After the Lake Herman murders, the killer stayed silent for six months before resurfacing with another gruesome attack.

The July 4th Murders

On July 4, 1969—Independence Day—18-year-old Darlene Ferrin and 16-year-old Michael Mageau were out buying fireworks. They noticed they were being followed, so they turned into the parking lot at Blue Rock Springs Park to lose the tail. But the car behind them followed and parked nearby.

Moments later, the vehicle left. Thinking the threat was over, the couple relaxed—but just minutes later, the same car returned, blocked their exit, and a man stepped out holding a flashlight. Believing he was a police officer, the couple rolled down the window. Then, without warning, he opened fire.

Darlene died on the spot. Michael, though gravely wounded, survived and was able to provide a description of the attacker. Around midnight, the Vallejo Police Department received a chilling phone call from a man claiming responsibility for the murders—the Zodiac's first known call to the police.

The First Zodiac Letters

On August 1, 1969, the Zodiac sent letters to three newspapers, claiming responsibility for both attacks. He included details only the killer could know—such as the victims’ clothing and the number of shots fired—and demanded the letters be published or he would kill again.

He also enclosed a coded cipher, a mysterious encrypted message. The next day, a couple in San Francisco managed to crack it. The message read:

“It is more fun than killing wild game in the forest because man is the most dangerous animal of all.”

The killer also mentioned his belief in an afterlife, claiming his victims would become his slaves in the next world.

The Lake Berryessa Attack

On September 27, 1969, college students Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard were relaxing near Lake Berryessa when a man approached wearing a black hood marked with a strange crosshair symbol.

He demanded money and car keys, tied them up, and then stabbed them multiple times. After believing they were dead, the attacker wrote a message on their car, detailing the crime. Cecelia later died from her injuries, but Bryan survived and gave police vital information.

That same night, the killer again called police and confessed to the crime.

A Disturbing Pattern

Police began noticing disturbing patterns:

The Zodiac targeted young couples.

He attacked on weekends or holidays.

His crimes occurred at night or dusk.

He took pride in his murders and taunted authorities.

Most attacks happened at well-known dating spots.

Many victims were found in or near cars.

Almost all attacks took place near water.

Some speculated that the Zodiac had a deep hatred for love or women—especially since male victims often survived while females didn’t.

Breaking the Pattern: The Cab Murder

On October 11, 1969, Zodiac killed again—this time breaking his own pattern. He hailed a cab driven by 29-year-old Paul Stine in San Francisco. Once they reached the destination, the killer shot Paul point-blank, took a piece of his shirt, and vanished.

Two children witnessed the murder from a nearby window and called the police. Officers unknowingly passed Zodiac on the street but let him go, as they were looking for a Black suspect due to a dispatch error.

Zodiac would later confirm the murder in letters and even sent a piece of Paul Stine’s bloody shirt as proof. He also threatened to attack a school bus, spreading widespread panic.

The Infamous TV Call

On October 22, 1969, someone claiming to be Zodiac called the Oakland Police and demanded to speak to attorney Melvin Belli on live television. A local show was interrupted, and during the segment, a man calling himself "Sam" phoned in repeatedly. But later investigation revealed the caller was not Zodiac—it was a patient at a state mental hospital.

More Ciphers, More Confusion

Zodiac continued sending letters. In one of them, he included a second cipher—this time far more complex than the first. It remained unsolved for over 50 years until, in 2020, three codebreakers finally cracked it. The message denied the TV show caller was him and reiterated his belief in the afterlife.

Another letter hinted at a bomb hidden in his basement, suggesting that Zodiac lived in a standalone house, not an apartment. This was one of the only clues that helped narrow down his possible location.

Attempted Kidnapping and the Final Letter

On March 22, 1970, Zodiac attempted to kidnap a woman named Kathleen Johns on Highway 132. She managed to escape. When shown a sketch of Zodiac, she immediately recognized him.

Over the next few years, Zodiac sent letters detailing murders, giving movie reviews, and even describing how to build bombs. His final confirmed letter arrived on January 30, 1974, where he wrote:

"Me – 37. SFPD – 0."

Claiming to have killed 37 people, though police only confirmed five linked murders.

Who Was the Zodiac Killer?

Police and intelligence agencies like the CIA conducted extensive profiling. The killer appeared to have military training—his shoes were military-issued Wing Walkers, and his coded messages showed expertise in cryptography. But despite the attention, the case attracted many false confessors, complicating the investigation.

Two prime suspects stood out:

• Arthur Leigh Allen: A man with military background and a Zodiac watch. But neither his handwriting nor fingerprints matched.
• Richard Gaikowski: His face resembled the Zodiac sketch, but again, the forensic evidence didn’t match.

In total, 50 suspects were investigated, but none could be definitively tied to the Zodiac’s crimes.

Conclusion

The Zodiac Killer remains one of the most terrifying and mysterious figures in American crime history. His identity has never been confirmed. Was he a soldier with a dark obsession? A man seeking fame through fear? Or something else entirely?

What is clear is this: the story of the Zodiac is far from over. Until his true identity is revealed, he remains an unsolved puzzle—just like the ciphers he loved to send.