Decoding the Zodiac Killer

In this bonus episode, we focus on the investigation into the prime suspect in the murder of Cheri Jo Bates. Known by the pseudonym "Bob Barnett," this individual was once a student at Riverside College and was initially questioned in the days following Cheri Jo’s death. Despite chilling confessions from his friends and his suspicious behavior, no physical evidence has ever linked Barnett to the crime. Join us as we e...

The Zodiac Killer's Z340 cipher was one of the most infamous unsolved puzzles in true crime history. For over fifty years, it taunted codebreakers, cryptographers, and enthusiasts around the world. In this episode, we explore how, in December 2020, a trio of experts—David Oranchak, Jarl Van Eycke, and Sam Blake—finally cracked the code using modern technology and brilliant teamwork. We delve into the incredible journey of break...

In the early 1960s, two tragic double murders shocked California—Robert Domingos and Linda Edwards, followed by Johnny and Joyce Swindle. Young couples, vibrant and full of life, were brutally attacked while enjoying serene moments by the water. Both incidents occurred years before anyone had heard of the Zodiac Killer, but the eerie similarities to the Zodiac’s known crimes suggest these could have been his early strikes. In...

In this episode, we turn our focus to Ross Sullivan—a name that has become a key piece in the Zodiac puzzle for many amateur sleuths and true crime enthusiasts. Working at Riverside City College library when Cheri Jo Bates was murdered, Sullivan’s strange behavior, disturbing writings, and sudden disappearance after her death made him a person of interest. We dive into the connections, coincidences, and circumstantial evidenc...

In 1971, a new suspect emerged in the Zodiac case—Arthur Leigh Allen, a man with chilling coincidences tying him to the infamous killer. As we explore the first part of his story, we dive into the eerie similarities between Allen’s life and the Zodiac’s crimes. From disturbing conversations with friends about his twisted fantasies to the infamous Zodiac watch that seemed to link him to the killer’s identity, Allen became the ...

On the night of July 4, 1969, Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau drove to Blue Rock Springs Park, seeking a peaceful spot away from the festive crowds. But as the fireworks faded, a far more sinister figure emerged, forever changing their lives. In this episode, we delve into the chilling events of that night, as an unknown assailant opened fire, leaving Darlene dead and Michael gravely wounded. What began as a quiet evening b...

In Part 2 of the New York Zodiac Copycat, we explore the chilling aftermath of the attacks. After years of stalking the streets, claiming victims in a twisted attempt to mirror the original Zodiac Killer, Heriberto Seda's actions led to a dramatic hostage situation that would ultimately end his reign of terror. From his shocking arrest to the trial that followed, we delve into how the NYPD finally cornered the man respons...

In this bonus episode, we explore the mysterious April 1978 Zodiac letter and the controversy that ensued. After four years of silence, a letter claiming to be from the Zodiac surfaced, reigniting fears and questions. But the plot thickened when journalist Armistead Maupin noticed unsettling similarities between this letter and the fan mail he had received from Detective Dave Toschi, the lead investigator on the Zodiac case. Was To...

Following the murder of Paul Stine, the Zodiac Killer shifted his focus from physical violence to psychological terror. In this episode, we explore the letters that the Zodiac sent to newspapers, each more menacing and cryptic than the last. From threats against school children to the infamous 340-character cipher that would remain unsolved for over 50 years, the Zodiac continued his deadly game, toying with the police and th...

On September 27, 1969, the picturesque Lake Berryessa became the site of one of the Zodiac Killer's most chilling attacks. What started as a peaceful afternoon for Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard quickly turned into a nightmare when a hooded figure emerged, intent on taking their lives. In this episode, we recount the terrifying events at Lake Berryessa, as Bryan and Cecelia were bound and brutally attacked, and the ho...

After years of chilling letters and taunting ciphers, the Zodiac Killer went silent in 1971, leaving a trail of unsolved murders and unanswered questions. But by 1974, he reemerged, sending a series of final letters to newspapers. From the ominous Albany threat to the infamous "Exorcist" letter, these communications continued to cast fear across California. Was the Zodiac back, or was he simply relishing in his past c...

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into Arthur Leigh Allen’s story, the prime suspect in the Zodiac case. From the detailed searches of his trailer, the troubling arrests, to the eerie parallels that kept him under the Zodiac’s shadow, we explore why Allen remained the center of attention for investigators for decades. With new accusations, evidence that both confounded and disappointed investigators, and a chilling a...

On the night of April 10, 1962, 29-year-old cab driver Ray Davis was found brutally murdered in Oceanside, California. Shot and left abandoned, the chilling crime had no apparent motive and went unsolved. But it wasn't until years later, after the infamous Zodiac Killer began his reign of terror, that similarities between the cases began to emerge. In this episode, we revisit Ray's unsolved murder and explore whether ...

In this bonus episode, we explore one of the most unusual chapters in the Zodiac Killer saga: the involvement of famed attorney Melvin Belli. After a chilling TV broadcast in which the Zodiac requested Belli's assistance, a series of bizarre phone calls, public appeals, and a mysterious letter ensued. Did the Zodiac really want help, or was this another twisted attempt to toy with those pursuing him? We dissect the letter...

In this episode, we focus on Richard "Rick" Marshall, one of the most intriguing suspects in the Zodiac Killer case. In the 1970s, an anonymous letter to the Sheriff’s office and a series of bizarre clues pointed towards this silent film enthusiast and radio station engineer. From strange handwriting similarities to explosive claims involving hidden evidence, Marshall became an unexpected person of interest. But was h...

In this episode, we dive into the chilling story of the New York Zodiac copycat. Decades after the original Zodiac Killer terrorized California, a new menace emerged in Brooklyn. Inspired by the infamous killer, this copycat began attacking random victims and leaving cryptic notes, eerily echoing the original Zodiac's methods. Who was this new Zodiac, and what motivated him to bring fear to the streets of New York? Join u...

On a cold December night in 1968, the quiet community of Benicia, California, was shattered by the tragic murders of Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday. What started as an innocent first date turned into a nightmare, marking the beginning of one of America’s most notorious unsolved mysteries: the Zodiac killings. In this episode, we retrace the footsteps of the young couple on Lake Herman Road and explore the chilling details...

On the night of October 11, 1969, San Francisco cab driver Paul Stine picked up a passenger who would soon end his life. In this episode, we explore the chilling details of the Zodiac Killer's attack on Paul Stine in the wealthy neighborhood of Presidio Heights. Witnesses watched in horror as the killer executed the cab driver before calmly wiping down the vehicle and disappearing into the night. With a bloody piece of Pa...

On September 6, 1970, 25-year-old Donna Lass vanished from the bustling Sahara Tahoe Casino, leaving behind nothing but unanswered questions. The Zodiac Killer later hinted that she may have been his twelfth victim, sending a chilling postcard that pointed towards Lake Tahoe. But the truth behind Donna's disappearance remained elusive—until recently, when human remains were identified as Donna's, bringing the case back into...