Zodiac Killer Essay

The Zodiac Killer was directly linked to at least five murders in Northern California in 1968 & 1969 even suspected for at least 5 more. He taunted police and made threats through letters sent to area newspapers from 1969 to 1974, before disappearing along with the absence of his murders. Despite investigations, no one was ever arrested for the crimes and the case remains open. On August 1, 1969, the first letter was sent to the San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Chronicle and Vallejo Times-Herald. When compared they were identically handwritten in an envelope with no returning address. Each of them began with “Dear Editor: I am the killer of the 2 teenagers last Christmas at Lake Herman,” the letter continued with details only the murderer

could have known. He threatened to kill more people if they weren’t printed on the front pages, and he also left the now iconic symbol consisting of a circle with a cross through it. The letters were also each accompanied by ⅓ part cipher that he claimed contained his identity.

This trend of murder and letters continued until 1974, but finding him didn’t.
Most notably to me of his killings was of a 29 year old cab driver named Paul Stine on October 11, 1969. Stine picked up the zodiac, and was told to drive him to Presidio Heights. After reaching the location, Stine was shot in the back of the head. Three witnesses watched the crime from a house across the street and contacted police. When police arrived the Zodiac moved the cab one block further West at Washington and Cherry Streets. Due to miscommunication during the call, dispatch had given police units a wrong description of the suspect as a black male. A patrol car reportedly passed by a man who matched the correct physique though did not stop to question him because he was a white male. According to the driver who might’ve seen him, “The suspect that was observed by officer Fouke was a WMA 35-45 Yrs about five-foot, ten inches, 180-200 pounds. Medium heavy build- Barrel chested- Medium complexion- Light-colored hair possibly greying in rear (May have been lighting that caused this effect.) Crew cut- wearing glasses- Dressed in dark blue waist length zipper type jacket (Navy or

royal blue) Elastic cuffs and waistband zipped part way up.

Brown wool pants pleated type baggy in rear (Rust brown) May have been wearing low cut shoes. Subject at no time appeared to be in a hurry walking with a shuffling lope, Slightly bent forward. The subject’s general appearance- Welsh ancestry.” Detectives believed that Stine was the victim of a robbery until scraps of Stine’s blood soaked shirt was sent inside an envelope with the date October 13, 1969. It contained one scrap of Stine’s shirt, and a chilling letter. ‘The San Francisco Chronicle’ received this letter that began with a familiar beginning. "This is the Zodiac speaking. I am the murderer of the taxi driver over by Washington & Maple St. last night. To prove this here is a blood stained piece of his shirt...School children make nice targets I think I shall wipe out a school bus some morning just shoot out the frunt tire + pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out." The letter in a way roasted police for failing to capture him near the scene and ended with a threat that sent shock & fear for parents throughout the Bay Area. Police beefed up protection with cars/aircraft following buses to and from schools. Armed officers also rode abroad for

added protection. Tying back to the evidence, the crime scene had various amounts of fingerprints inside/outside the cab; they were photographed and collected. On the driver’s side of the cab, fingerprints appeared to contain traces of blood. Detectives believed the fingerprints may have been left by the killer. Using the corrected description provided earlier by the witnesses, they composed a composite sketch of the man seen exiting Stine's cab. It follows as, the killer was last seen standing where the fingerprints were discovered. He touched the cab and used a piece of the victim’s shirt to wipe at its surface, hence why it was blood stained. Following the public release of the sketch another letter was sent in with the Zodiac dismissing it. He claimed to have coated his fingertips with glue in order to avoid leaving fingerprints. Overall the killing provided a haunting that police would have to keep on their record, and the closest they’ve been to catching him. It was never was able to go through the justice system because he was never caught for it, in a way it can be considered a cold case.