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The Zodiac Killer


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#1 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 12:28 AM


For the past few weeks, I've found my attention commanded by the literature on the Zodiac Killer, which may be one of the most absorbing cold cases out there---including the Jack the Ripper murders. Although the likely quantity of victims pales in comparison to the more prolific serial killers in history, I find this case to be qualitatively more captivating for several reasons: 1.) The literature is immense; 2.) the killer is enticingly audacious; 3.) the case has left some of the most seasoned criminal investigators baffled; 4.) there is nothing more than circumstantial evidence to link any of the suspects to the killings; 5.) there is an impressive community of amateur investigators; 6.) and solving this case has the allure of ensuring one's place among legendary criminal investigators. So for these reasons, I think it's definitely worth setting at least a day aside.

Because of the paucity of evidence, I started with a preliminary psychological profile that I constructed, and which one prominent suspect in particular, Lawrence Kane, seems to fit. But beyond his congruence with my psychological profile, there are the following pieces of evidence: 1.) His identification by two siblings of a Zodiac victim, and a possible Zodiac target that allegedly escaped her abduction; 2) his proximity to one confirmed victim and one suspected victim; 3.) superficial similarities in handwriting samples (to that of the infamous SF Chronicle letters); 4.) a physical description that roughly matches the ones given by witnesses; 5). and a service history in the military, which is generally considered requisite. For the most part, though, my selection is based on a gut intuition, which given the state of the evidence in this context, is probably an acceptable basis.

Anyway, if anyone has the time, please take a look at the evidence, because I would appreciate some insights from sound minds that aren't married to their pet theories. And I've also discovered that my now 80 year old suspect, Lawrence Kane, lives comfortably in Zephyr Cove, Nevada. So if anyone cares to visit his address---which I happen to have---I'd be quite grateful. I'm less than serious about this proposal, though, because he's still likely dangerous, and unlikely to offer anything meaningful.

Avenues worth pursuing about Larry Kane or any other suspect:

1. A connection to Deer Lodge, Montana.
2. A possible record of attendance at Riverside Community College
3. A connection, however tenuous, to any of the victims or murder sites.
4. Information related to the suspect's psychiatric treatment history.
5. Evidence of an interest in ciphers or astrology.
6. Information on possible accomplices, which I suspect has been a possibility that has confounded investigators.

The biggest proponent of my favored suspect, is retired Escalon, Ca investigator Harvey Hines---whom I've been considering contacting---because there are a number of unexplained areas that either leave me somewhat doubtful or hopeful.

Edited by Rol82, 10 February 2011 - 12:59 AM.


#2 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 03:02 AM

I honestly don't know what to make of the stories of Sandy Betts and Pam Huckaby, whom claim to have been repeatedly harassed by Lawrence Kane and his accomplices. Their stories seem too incredible to be true, but could both residents from the same city, and with a close connection to one of the victims---Darlene Ferrin---turn out to be nutters? One may be easy to dismiss, but two? Other crucial witnesses like Michael Magaeu and Kathleen Johns may also be psychologically compromised to some extent, and thus, are not credible witnesses for any criminal prosecution. The Lake Berryessa survivor, Brian Hartnell, on the other hand, seems to be the only remaining witness that doesn't exhibit any obvious psychological scars. But there are parts of his story that I find somewhat difficult to believe---just look at his description of the dialogue with the killer. However, Hartnell may offer some important clues about the killer: he was extremely nervous and stuttered. Which in addition to the nature of his acts, and his conspicuously disorganized letters to the SF Chronicle, may be consistent with the frontal lobe injury that Kane suffered in his automobile accident, and his reputed bouts with temporal lobe epilepsy. Unfortunately, though, he was masked, which means that a successful prosecution may hinge on Hartnell matching Kane's voice with the killer's.

Edited by Rol82, 10 February 2011 - 04:55 AM.


#3 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 10:57 PM

I really didn't expect this thread to garner any interest, since the topic is ill-fitting for this forum, but I thought I would throw in the most exciting component to the Zodiac Killer mystery, which are the ciphers that the killer delivered to the San Francisco Chronicle. These ciphers may offer the keys to the identity of the killer, or may be another mind-fuck that leads to nowhere. Anyway, I'll provide some puzzles that have been either solved and unsolved, since the cipher key for the solved puzzles may be relevant. The unsolved puzzles are quite challenging, and have boggled the minds of noteworthy cryptographers from the NSA, the FBI, the CIA, and the private sector. So let's just say that if solving the puzzles doesn't lead to a resolution of the case, your reputation will rise to a towering height.

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#4 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 10:59 PM

Solved Puzzle

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#5 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:01 PM

Cipher Key
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#6 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:02 PM

Cipher Letter and Symbol Frequencies

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#7 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:07 PM

Cipher 1

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#8 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:08 PM

Cipher 2
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#9 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:09 PM

Cipher 3

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#10 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:10 PM

Posted Image
Second Solved Puzzle

Edited by Rol82, 10 February 2011 - 11:11 PM.


#11 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:12 PM

Cipher Key
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#12 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:13 PM

Cipher Solution
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#13 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:15 PM

Third Solved Cipher:
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#14 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:18 PM

Key Letter and Frequencies:
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#15 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:21 PM

Cipher Solution:
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#16 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:22 PM

Unsolved Puzzle:
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#17 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:23 PM

Unsolved Puzzle:
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#18 Rational Madman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 11:24 PM

Unsolved Puzzle:
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#19 Rational Madman

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Posted 11 February 2011 - 09:50 PM

After my brief, and admittedly intense dalliance with the Zodiac case, I'm convinced that most of the so-called experts have taken a nose dive into an abyss of insanity, and that whomever the killer is, he's probably not the evil genius that many envisioned. I'll be wrapping up this affair with a blog entry in the near future, but for all interested parties, disregard my past enthusiasm for the Zodiac case, which will suck the oxygen out of everything it touches. Quite the transformation in 24 hours, huh? In my opinion, there's only one guy worth listening to anymore, and that's the thoroughly disenchanted Michael Butterfield.

Edited by Rol82, 11 February 2011 - 11:10 PM.





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