The Zodiac Killer

 

Welcome back to yet another crime blog post, my morbidly curious readers! Today we'll be looking at one of the uncaught serial killers, who went ahead to become one of the most unsolved famous mysteries in the field of serial killing.

The Zodiac Killer was a serial killer who operated in Northern California during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The killer is believed to have killed at least five people, and possibly more, and was known for taunting the police and media with cryptic messages and ciphers.

The Zodiac Killer's first confirmed murder occurred in December 1968, when two high school students were shot and killed in Benicia, California. Over the next few years, the killer claimed responsibility for several other murders, including the shooting of a cab driver in San Francisco and the killing of a young couple in Napa County.

The killer communicated with the police and media through a series of letters, some of which contained coded messages that have yet to be fully deciphered. The killer referred to himself as the "Zodiac" in these letters, and taunted law enforcement officials by claiming that he would never be caught.

Despite an extensive investigation, the identity of the Zodiac Killer remains unknown. Over the years, numerous suspects have been named and investigated, but no one has ever been definitively linked to the crimes. The case remains one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in American history.

MO

The Zodiac Killer had a distinct modus operandi (MO) that he used in his attacks, which included:

1. Targeting couples: The Zodiac Killer primarily targeted young couples who were parked in remote areas. He would approach their car, shine a flashlight into the vehicle, and then open fire on the occupants.
2. Use of a gun: The killer used a .22 caliber pistol in all of his known attacks.
3. Disguise: The Zodiac Killer was known for wearing a hood or a mask to conceal his identity during his attacks.
4. Letters and ciphers: The killer sent a series of letters and ciphers to the police and media, in which he claimed responsibility for the murders and taunted law enforcement officials. Some of the ciphers have yet to be deciphered.
5. Signature: The killer signed his letters with a distinctive symbol that became known as the "Zodiac" symbol.
6. Obsession with media attention: The Zodiac Killer sought out media attention and used the press as a means of communicating with the police and the public.

Overall, the Zodiac Killer was a highly organized and calculating serial killer who was known for his meticulous planning and ability to evade law enforcement. His ability to avoid capture, along with his mysterious and cryptic communications, has made him one of the most notorious and intriguing serial killers in history.

What do you think about the ciphers and letters? Was it to gain fame? Taunt the authority? Or did some part of him actually wanted to be caught and stopped?

PS: Watch Zodiac (2007), featuring Robert Downey Junior, Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and John Carroll Lynch, directed by David Fincher and let me know what you think about it.