Zodiac Killer Essay

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“THE ZODIAC KILLER” The Zodiac Killer was a serial killer who operated in Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The killer's identity remains unknown. He named him self the “Zodiac”. He sent the police four difficult letters to read, these letters included four cryptograms. Of the four he sent, only one has been solved. The Zodiac has killed victims in Benicia, Vallejo, Lake Berryessa and San Francisco. There were many suspects that were not identified. Numerous suspects have been named by law enforcement and amateur investigators but no conclusive evidence has surfaced. Although the Zodiac claimed 37 murders in letters to the newspapers, investigators agree on only seven confirmed victims, two of whom survived. The suspects are: David Arthur Faraday, 17 and Betty Lou Jensen, 16 which were shot and killed on December 20, 1968 on Lake Herman Road. Michael Mageau Renault, 19 and Darlene Elizabeth Ferrin, 22 which were shot on July 4, 1969 in the parking lot of Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo. While Mageau survived the attack, Ferrin was pronounced dead-on-arrival at Kaiser Foundation Hospital. Bryan Calvin Hartnell, 20 and Cecelia Ann Shepard, 22 were stabbed on September 27, 1969 at Lake Berryessa in Napa County. Hartnell survived eight stab wounds to the back but Shepard died as a result of her injuries on September 29, 1969. Paul Lee Stine 29 were shot and killed on October 11, 1969 in the Presidio Heights neighborhood in San Francisco. On August 1, 1969, three letters prepared by the killer were received at the Vallejo Times-Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the San Francisco Examiner. Each letter also included one-third of a 408-symbol cryptogram which the killer claimed contained his identity. On August 7, 1969, another letter was received at the San Francisco Examiner with the salutation "Dear Editor this is

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