A TAHOE MYSTERY

9/16/2019

In two previous articles we analyzed the design of the Pines Card in association with the disappearance and likely murder of Donna Lass on September 6th 1970. There are multiple possibilities, notably [1] The Pines Card contained nothing of value [2] The punch-hole fell over the Donner Memorial State Park, hinting at the young woman's name in similar fashion to the Monticello Card four months later, but had no directions to her burial site [3] The Pines Card contained clues to her name and burial site [4] The Pines Card contained directions to something Zodiac placed for investigators or the public to find, thereby (if found) bolstering the notion he was involved in her disappearance and murder. This could have been placed at a predetermined location prior to the mailing of the Pines Card. Or the most likely, [5] The Zodiac Killer crafted the Pines Card, but had absolutely nothing to do with her demise. This is the route we shall take in the following examination.

I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the Zodiac Killer had nothing to do with the disappearance of Donna Lass from the Sahara Tahoe Hotel & Casino on September 6th 1970, and his willingness to suggest such an involvement was prescribed by the writings of the San Francisco Chronicle. On September 26th 1970, the disappearance of Donna Lass was extensively covered in a San Francisco Chronicle newspaper article entitled Nurse Vanishes -- A Tahoe Mystery. This must have been a goldmine for the Zodiac Killer, with all the ingredients contained in the article a compelling blend of circumstantial evidence just waiting to be picked. The Zodiac Killer knew that the circumstances surrounding the young woman's move from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe was the perfect cocktail to convince investigators he was a viable candidate in her murder. The added benefit for the Bay Area killer was the suggestion of a link to the murder of another nurse, Judith Hakari, abducted on March 7th 1970, and later discovered in a shallow grave in Weimar. The Zodiac Killer could effectively link himself to two murders for the price of one.

Many murders passed through the pages of the Chronicle newspaper, but this story had everything the killer required. Of course, he must have realized by now, that if he had mailed a communication immediately after the newspaper article, stating an involvement in her disappearance, then it would appear all too convenient, with his writings likely dismissed as a killer just latching on to the latest crime story. But by waiting months, as he had done with Kathleen Johns, his claims (in his mind) may carry more weight with investigators. In other words, the publicity had died down regarding the disappearance of Donna Lass, yet he still had the crime in the forefront of his mind even after six months, thereby adding validity to such a claim.

Rubislaw32, a contributor to this site, touched on the idea that the March 22nd 1971 Pines Card may have been influenced by the abduction and murder of Judith Hakari. This idea carries much weight, when we consider the inspiration for the Pines Card was likely generated from the September 26th 1970 newspaper article six months earlier. The article was rich pickings for a killer who had previously murdered taxicab driver Paul Stine in the Presidio Heights area of San Francisco, so close to the Letterman General Hospital where Donna Lass had previously worked. The disappearance of a woman 150 miles from San Francisco, who had recent connections to San Francisco in the Presidio Heights district, must have been more than the Zodiac Killer could have wished for. Many disappearances and murders had occurred much closer to the Bay Area than the Lake Tahoe Mystery, but this one was covered comprehensively by the Chronicle and had the details the Zodiac Killer couldn't have failed to notice. We look for overlapping features in the Presidio Heights murder of Paul Stine by Zodiac, with the movements of Donna Lass and her eventual abduction from South Lake Tahoe, noting the location of the Letterman General Hospital with respect to the Presidio Park the killer escaped into. We then take the Pines Card depicting Incline Village and draw parallels to the crimes based on their locations, thereby concluding a possible Zodiac involvement in both. The problem being with this line of thinking, is the Zodiac Killer knew that these conclusions would be drawn when he created the Pines Card - because he had read the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper article and noted these comparisons himself. The Zodiac Killer was effectively forcing you into making an unwarranted connection, thereby bolstering a case for his involvement in the Donna Lass case. Everything required for the Pines Card sat in the September 26th 1970 pubication.

All the Zodiac Killer required was a map of Lake Tahoe and the above newspaper article to create the perfect ruse. He had noted that a connection was being considered between the cases of Donna Lass and Judith Hakari, with the Sutter Hospital nurse having been discovered "buried in a shallow grave in the Sierra foothills of Placer County". Therefore, to give credence to his claims in the murder of Donna Lass (and possibly Judith Hakari), what better way than to place the pasted phrase of "around in the snow" upside down, to give the impression Donna Lass is buried in a shallow grave, and thereby tying the two cases together in modus operandi. Then place the pasted location of "Sierra Club" on the Pines Card to subconsciously plant the seed of a link to the "Sierra" of "the Sierra foothills of Placer County", where Judith Hakari's remains were subsequently unearthed.

The newspaper article told us that Donna Lass worked at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel on the south side of the lake, so even a modicum of investigation to discover the location of the local police department, would allow the Zodiac Killer to direct the investigators "past the Lake Tahoe areas" to the the pine-laden wilderness and a likely burial site. Then came the pièce de résistance in the Pines Card, further forging a link between the Zodiac Killer, Donna Lass and San Francisco. The Zodiac Killer wanted investigators to draw the conclusion he had previously targeted Donna Lass in the Presidio area of San Francisco, and so driving them to the conclusion that he had traveled to South Lake Tahoe to complete his mission of killing the young woman Unfortunately, the Zodiac Killer may have overestimated the ability of police to discover the true meaning of "sought victim 12".

Click image to enlarge

By using the past tense of seek in "sought", the Zodiac Killer was attempting to convince investigators he had previously trailed Donna Lass as victim number 12. The newspaper article gave us all the movements of Donna Lass, stating "Miss Lass became a first-aid nurse at the Sahara last June, living the previous five months in San Francisco and working at the Letterman General Hospital at the Presidio". The Zodiac Killer therefore knew that Donna Lass was in San Francisco in the January of 1970. He was only claiming 10 victims by April 20th 1970, and 12 victims by June 26th 1970, so it wasn't difficult for the Zodiac Killer to work out, that he could have "sought her as victim 12" before she left for South Lake Tahoe in June. The Zodiac Killer would have been seeking Donna Lass as victim number 12 sometime between April 20th 1970 and when she began her new job in June. By using the past participle of "seek", the Zodiac Killer was attempting to convince investigators his interest in Donna Lass had begun long before her disappearance - and in doing so, hopefully reinforcing a connection between San Francisco and South Lake Tahoe, with him as the common denominator between the two.

On March 19th 1971, the San Francisco ran an advertisement for condominiums at Incline Village by Lake Tahoe. The Zodiac Killer, having now waited the necessary time to authenticate his claim in the disappearance and murder of Donna Lass, lay the final piece of the jigsaw. His ruse was now complete.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 05:25:36 am

This presumed aspect to the Zodiac case,is still particularly topical,Richard,with emergence of a photograph,purporting to be Donna Lass,fifteen years on.

I like your focus on the usage of the word ''sought''....I believe,an important point.

Is the card creator implying that the Zodiac....or himself,the Zodiac...was in the process of ''seeking'' a 12th victim....and,has already succeeeded in finding that 12th victim....or....

Can we only conclude that 11 victims,are already claimed,with a 12th...an unconfirmed possibility [?].

''All'' cleverly ''ambiguous'' [?].

And,in the Benicia High School Note [...circa Autumn 1972....].we see the word ''Sould'',instead of,presumably ''Should''.

Sould/Should....Sought/Shought/...''shot'',even [?].

''Wordplay'' playing tricks....as ever.

Richard

9/16/2019 05:51:55 am

If he claimed he had "sought" victim 12, by inference, he would equally be claiming an 11th victim had already been secured - most probably in May (as the Dragon Card had no update). But as we probably have all realized by now, most of these victims totals are purely fictional, and he never really killed anyone. He provided details only known to him and the cops in the first two attacks, wrote on the car door at Berryessa and mailed the shirt piece after Paul Stine. With Kathleen Johns, Richard Radetich, Donna Lass, Cheri Jo Bates, Kathy Snoozy and Deborah Furlong, and Kathy Bilek, he provided not one shred of evidence. The conclusions should be telling - he didn't commit any of these crimes. He didn't shoot any schoolchildren, blow up any schoolbuses or plant any bombs. He was simply running on hot air - and if his intention was to strike fear into the Bay Area, the providing of evidence in one of these other crimes would have gone a long way towards showing the police he was still a genuine and credible threat. But he couldn't do it - not once. The only reasonable conclusion to be drawn, was the Zodiac Killer wasn't responsible for any other murders outside the canonical five, and that includes Riverside. That is my current take, though I am sure not everybody will agree.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/16/2019 06:08:46 am

Apart from ''apparent'' questions,still pertinent to an ''eighth victim'' [...implication of real No.6..],I certainly go along with your line of thinking,Richard.

Paul Stine was the last male victim,the last Californian,and last victim of gun violence,to fall prey to the Zodiac.

''1970'' was ''fun and games'' for the Zodiac,underpinned by the real violence,perpetrated prior.And,only really started to disentangle,with the murder of Kathy Bilek,in April 1971.

Toots

9/16/2019 07:12:19 am

Alas, another Lass...
I agree that it's hard to know what acts Z committed vs just taking credit by linking newspaper information together.

See below for a link to a newspaper article regarding my suspect's ex-wife, a young lass from Scotland.

www.newspapers.com/newspage/72287856

So manipulated and afraid of her ex-husband, she fled NCal, back to Europe.

I dont like coincidences, especially when there are many.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/17/2019 07:14:08 pm

I see this now,Richard,if others have not noted....for,in the wake of surprise,perhaps,at this photograph,purporting to be Donna Lass,age of about 40...we can go back 18 months,to a newspaper article,that appeared in Solano County's ''Daily Republic''.

This article focused on a Mr.Philip Powers,of Dixon,who believes that his grandfather,Kenneth Lester German...was the Zodiac.German died in 2005.

Kenneth German had four daughters,including Kay Nelson and Kim Johnson.Kim Johnson is the mother of Philip Powers.Powers calims that his grandfather told his aunt,Kay Nelson,that he was the Zodiac.The implication is that Kim Nelson claims that her father,German,was only joking.

Now,recently,the ''introduction'' of the photograph,purporting to be Donna Lass,enters the ''equation''.The implication is,that Donna Lass is one of German's other two daughters...and,another aunt of Philip Powers.

Even if we dismiss the claimed biological relationship,between Donna Lass and Kenneth German [...daughter and father...]...we are still left with this photograph of a purported Donna Lass...as a 40 year old,in the 1980's.

If we accept that the photograph is of Donna Lass,then surely....the scenario of Ms.Lass,in a witness protection program...seems to be the most likely solution [?].

Therefore,some elements of Law Enforcement,know the truth of the matter...and the implication would be that,those elements have been holding back,on the truth behind Donna's disappearance,for all these years,since.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/17/2019 07:26:59 pm

.....and further,that if it is the case that Donna Lass is the woman in the photograph...then the ''unravelling'' starts....beginning with the ''Pines Card'' being presumable employed,by the FBI's counter intelligence,to pin the inference of an extra murder....on the Zodiac.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/17/2019 07:40:32 pm

How strange [?],perhaps,that the Zodiac might still be clinging to Karl Werner's three victims [...Snoozy,Furlong and Bilek..]...right into the middle of 1971,with his presumed Z148 Cipher....when the Zodiac,would have known that the FBI had fitted the Zodiac up,for the disappearance,of Donna Lass....just a few months earlier.

If so...it seems that,regardless of what the FBI were up to....the Zodiac had to continue to convince everyone,that he was responsible for Werner's victims.

And,this all,really,goes back to the Zodiac's Dripping Pen Card,in November 1969,with the Zodiac taking the blame,himself,for Werner's first two victims,Snoozy and Furlong.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/17/2019 08:18:06 pm

I really have to state again,what I have recently stated....that any cipher appearing,is the ''real'' stamp of authenticity,of any Zodiac correspondence,which continues to stand,either ''confirmed'' or ''unconfirmed''.

And,'' Z148 '' is no different,in this respect.

For the Zodiac,continued ''plausibility'' of his total claimed ''track record'',depended on the message gleaned,from its solution.

But,the FBI ''closed him down'',anyway...by not even allowing Z148 to emerge,in the public domain,at that time...suggesting also,that the FBI had solved Z148 quite easily....and knew where the Zodiac had figuratively found himself,in his mind.

Zodiac now knew,beyond reasonable doubt,that LE knew all the victims,for which the Zodiac had lied over.

Time [,,,mid 1971..] for the Zodiac to disappear from his ''arena'' of terror.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/18/2019 03:52:22 am

The Zodiac's significant lies [?].
-----------------------------------------

Kathie Snoozy & Debra Furlong [ November 8th 1969 ]
'' Eighth Victim'' [ December 20th 1969 ]
Judith Hakari [ Circa May 1970 ]
Richard Radetich [ June 26th 1970 ]
Abduction of Kathleen Johns [ July 24th 1970 ]
Cheri Jo Bates [ March 13th 1971 ]
Kathy Bilek [ July 13th 1971 ]

-----------------------------------

Rubislaw 32 link

9/19/2019 06:47:33 pm

A liitle bit of ''weirdness'' Richard....that might link the Pines Card,more to Judith Hakari :

Officially,Judith Hakari's shallow grave,was discovered at ''Ponderosa Way'',Weimar.It seems an extensive winding road,that starts,at about 400 metres,east of the main highway.

Ponderosa,in fiction,has associations with the ''Ponderosa Ranch'',home to the long running TV series ''Bonanza''.

The name Ponderosa,derives from a species of Pine Tree,most commonly found in North America.

In light of the huge success of ''Bonanza'',a theme park was created,called ''Ponderosa'',which was open to the public,between 1967 and 2004.

The Ponderosa theme park was situated at....Incline Village,Lake Tahoe.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/19/2019 07:14:05 pm

Bonanza !

The FBI's counter intelligence are now looking ''so stuffed'',over the Pines Card.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/20/2019 06:15:30 am

I have only just come across,what appears to be a compelling cryptic link,between ''Ponderosa'' and the Pines Card.Ponderosa Way,Ponderosa Pines,Ponderosa Ranch theme park.

Although ''jumping ahead'' a little,it starts to ask an important question,over a probable ''counter intelligence'' decision on the Zodiac's Pines Card....and,with three possible answers :

1] Did the FBI simply decide that,given a ''genuine'' disappearance of Donna Lass...that they,the FBI,would ''employ'' their ''confiscated'' Pines Card,to pin an extra murder,on the Zodiac [?].

2] Did the FBI decide that,the confiscated Pines Card,presented a good opportunity,to ''re-enforce'' the notion that,Donna Lass was probably now deceased....in order to ''compound'' the anonymity of Ms.Lass....who was now in their ''witness protection program'' [?].

3] Was the Zodiac actually claiming the murder of Judith Hakari,in the Pines Card [...circa May 1970...]....or,was the Zodiac attempting to shift focus,of his true identity,and place that focus on to William Grant,whose Weekend retreat chalet,was at Weimar [?].

And,did Law Enforcement suspect this ''blame palming'',anyway [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

9/20/2019 06:32:20 pm

Clearly,the ''graphic'' employed,by both those commissioned to create the advert for the newly completed complex,at Incline Village...and the Zodiac,in his presumed Pines Card....is ''crucial'' to solving this conundrum.

If,for example,the Zodiac originally mailed the Pines Card,in May 1970,then it would be the Zodiac,who has,in effect,''led'' with the graphic....with an agreement,between the ''complex'' owners,and law enforcement,coming about,in March 1971....to ''engineer'' an advert,based on the graphic employed by the Zodiac,much earlier.

Interesting,perhaps,that investigating police,initially referred to the pre-stamped envelope card,representing the Pine Card,as ''regular issue''.

Regular issue ?? ....hardly ''regular'' [?]....since it happened to be specific to 1962 [!]....and,must have been obtained from a collection of some sort,since the ''Lincoln 4 cent'' envelope card,was certainly ''no longer'' available,to purchase,at post office outlets.

And,for 9 years.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/21/2019 05:24:15 am

If there are any ''sleuths'' out there,interested in attempting to get to the ''truth'' of the matter :

Firstly,the police officer who is purported to be in possession of the photograph,which ''claims'' to be of a 40 year old Donna Lass,in the mid 1980's,is Detective Herminghouse,of South Tahoe Police Department.

To find the ''source'' of the graphic employed for the Zodiac's Pines Card and Incline Village complex advert,could provide further important information.

The graphic appears to be a ''pen and ink'' print from an original engraving.I would suggest that the standard of art work,is quite high [?].With the artist having a liking for incorporation of straight lines.

I have already started to search for,what might be considered ''similar work'',in order to possibly establish the artist.It does seem that the work could have European origins,as well as North American.

But,it has occurred to me that sleuths based in California or Nevada,might be better placed,to make general searches.

I hope that there are a few of you,that might feel like hunting [?].

Good Luck.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/21/2019 09:55:11 pm

Ponderosa,CA,is a high altitude village,set in the Sequoia Nation Park.

A tiny permanent population [ 16 in 2010 ],its chief source of income,is from accommodation lodges and renting cabins.It also has a golf course and camp site,on its periphery.

The main part of the village,is a collection of wooden buildings,with distinct sweeping rooves,and a road,Aspen Drive,running through.

Not so different from the depiction,on the Pines Card....albeit,as a cartoonesque version.

The Incline Village complex was nothing like,as depicted,in the graphic,with ''grey builds'' for wealthy prospective buyers.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/22/2019 06:47:36 am

These porch lined cabin constructions,with their sloping rooves,accommodating the porches,are just the sort of cnstructions,at the village of Ponderosa,CA.

A ''human'' element,being,that chopped wood,is stacked in the porches,for fire fuel.There appears to be evidence of this,in the Pines Card.

The largest cabin like structure,at Ponderosa,CA,is the ''Ponderosa Lodge'',employed as a hotel,with Coffee shop,General store and Tavern.

Is it possible that,the Zodiac's Pines Card,is an artist's impression of the ''real'' Poderosa,CA [?].

And that,as in the case of the Celebrity Cipher Card,depicting Carmel Beach....the Zodiac bought the Pines Card,depicting the ''real'' Ponderosa,CA.,....when visiting the ''pretend'' Ponderosa,at the Ponderosa Ranch theme park,Incline Village,Lake Tahoe.

The FBI's counter intelligence,only have to chase up the publishers of that postcard...or,indeed the graphics artist,responsible,in order to put together an [albeit] real advert for the Forest Pine complex,at Incline Village.

When the advert is published,in many local newspapers...it only,as seams apparent....is a matter of a few days,before the Zodiac ''returns'',with this Pines Card.

All things considered,I would suggest : ''Pull the other one - it as bells attached ! ''

So...this is why it is so important...to establish ''source'' of the graphics artwork,which ''may'' depict the ''real'' Ponderosa,CA.

And,quite likely,to be found in the form of a commercial souvenir postcard.

Another case,of ''standing guard'',at the buy and sell sites,on the internet.With particular attention to sites that specialize in postcards.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/22/2019 09:30:02 am

Donna Lass was born,November 3rd 1944.

Her father was James P.Lass,a farmer from Bereford,South Dakota.
[ Aug.28th 1897 - March 30th 1973]

Her mother was Frances Mary Kukar Lass [Nov.24th 1900 - Aug.5th 1982].

There is no evidence,to date,that any other persons,than these two,were her parents.

At the time of the emergence of the Pines Card,in the public domain,Sacramento Police remained unconvinced that the Zodiac was responsible for either Judith Hakari's murder...or,the disappearance of Donna Lass.

South Lake Tahoe Police,were open minded about the disappearance of Donna Lass.At the time,a Lt.John Crow,from that police force,was officially in charge of investigating her disappearance.

We are aware that the Pines Card has never received official authentication....but,at the time of its emergence,Documents Examiner to the CA DOJ,Sherwood Morrill,was quoted,as believing that the handwriting on the envelope's address side..to be that of the Zodiac.

Richard

9/22/2019 01:16:51 pm

I have zero doubt that the Pines Card was Zodiac, but it is probably slim at best he was responsible for her disappearance or murder. I believe Morill was correct in his assessment of the Pines Card. But its authentication is better verified through its links with the Monticello Card, and hence the Dripping Pen Card (Aug and Snoozy). Not to mention the Los Angeles Letter that preceded it. Is Detective Herminghouse available for comment?

Rubislaw 32 link

9/22/2019 02:23:31 pm

Yes indeed,Richard....the likelihood is,I believe,that the Zodiac is the author of the Pines card,and is not responsible for the disappearance of Donna Lass....and,neither ''inferred'',by ''his'' Pines Card.

The question then,I would suggest is....if the claim inferred,by his Pines Card,is for either '' 11 or 12 victims ''...or,a ''telegraphed'' claim,for the life of Judith Hakari.

Personally,I believe that the Pines Card was primarily constructed,by the Zodiac,to falsely claim for the life of Judith Hakari,by inference of a Ponderosa ''theme''.

Richard

9/22/2019 02:48:55 pm

Her murder certainly fits the timeline of Bay Area letters in respect to 12. As it does Donna Lass. So take your pick. Here is the Alta Sierra Country Club about 15 miles from Ponderosa Way, just for reference.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Ponderosa+Way,+Colfax,+CA,+USA/Alta+Sierra+Country+Club,+11897+Tammy+Way,+Grass+Valley,+CA+95949,+USA/@39.0465596,-120.9769928,44342m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x809b09064f8a351b:0xfb614f4e5b699bd9!2m2!1d-120.9459463!2d39.0213134!1m5!1m1!1s0x809b72f59f4c8661:0x50a0203e5de9c7d7!2m2!1d-121.0496561!2d39.1350417!3e0

Rubislaw 32 link

9/22/2019 09:44:35 am

Interesting perhaps [?]...that it is a current detective,Harminginghouse,from the South Lake Tahoe Police...for whom ''Phillip Powers'' claims,is in possession of the photograph,purporting to be of an approximate 40 year old,Donna Lass,from the mid-1980's.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/22/2019 09:46:50 am

[...correction to above,should read ''Herminghouse''....]

Rubislaw 32 link

9/22/2019 10:36:47 am

Just on a point of recent developements,Phillip Power's inferred claims that his grandfather,Kenneth Lester German,was the father of Donna Lass,and the Zodiac....appear as remote as could possibly be [?].

What appears to be the case is,that Detective Herminghouse,of the South Lake Tahoe Police [...who,historically at least,held jurisdiction over investigations into the disappearance of Donna Lass..],has at least,granted Phillip Powers permission,to show the photograph,purporting to be a middle-aged Donna Lass...to the public.

For public servants,such as Detective Herminghouse,to behave in a perceived ''secretive'' manner,to date.....is a public disgrace.

But then,we have become accustomed to this sort of behaviour,more recently,by Vallejo Police's Detective Terry Poyser.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/22/2019 02:57:41 pm

To date,there is reportage of news by Solana County's ''Daily Republic'' newspaper,of Phillip Power's claim that Kenneth Lester German,was the Zodiac.Then,two months ago,from Phillip Power's twitter account,that Detective Herminghouse had furnished him,with an image of a purported middle-aged Donna Lass,from the mid-1980's.

In addition that Ms.Apple Florez is claiming to be Phillip Powers' messenger.

It just seems that,in light of the potential importance of Donna Lass,on claims alone,to the case of the Zodiac....that Detective Herminghouse has not seen fit to speak up.Whether to admit to being in possession of the photograph...or,to deny that possession.

And,at the very least.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/22/2019 07:33:47 pm

While I remember,I have written to the proprietors of the Sierra Sun Cloud Inn,now,seeking any information on their property,prior to 1989,when a presumed previous building was demolished,to make way for the New England style one,that now stands,as The Sierra Sun Cloud Inn.

Their ''brochure'' information,does include enjoying sunsets,through the Ponderosa Pines.And,I would estimate,be able to see the area where Judith Hakari's body was found,at about a half of a mile's distance.

I note also,that in one of the photographs,which promote the establishment,there is an old signpost,which reads ''Hunters'',and points,with an arrow,in a particular direction.So,perhaps the old building was a lodge of some description [?].

Its name,would be good to know.A possible further inspiration,for the Pines Card [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

9/23/2019 04:39:43 am

It has occurred to me,also,that there is an equally old [looking] signpost,that stands besides the ''Hunters'' one,at Colfax's Sierra Sun Cloud Inn,which simply states ''The Sierra Sun Cloud Inn''.

So if,as is probably likely,the proprietors don't get back to me,then it is probably safe to assume that,any building standing on this high point of land,has been called the same name,and with same function....going back to 1923.

With the Pines Card,it seems that the Zodiac asked us to peek through the Ponderosa Pines,to Ponderosa Way,where Judith Hakari's shallow grave was discovered.And that,the composition of the card's artwork,may well be based on the real village of Ponderosa,in the Sequoia National Park.

In addition,that there is a distinct possibility that,the Zodiac acquired the card's image,in the form of a postcard,purchased at the Ponderosa Ranch theme park,at Incline Village,Lake Tahoe.

And further,that the Zodiac may well have stayed a night,at the Sierra Sun Cloud Inn,which gave him inspiration for the Pines Card,in the form of a view to Ponderosa Way.

Small communities like Weimar and Colfax,must generally be aware of any ''macabre history'' [?],attached to their locations....and some of these communities do not wish to promote themselves,with these ''tags''.

My grandfather used to take his grandchildren on picnics,to well known murder spots,and then proceed to explain to us,what exactly transpired.

But,not everyone is the same.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/23/2019 05:19:07 am

One might certainly ask the question :

''Why did the FBI's counter intelligence behave,in the way that they did,with respect to the Pines Card ? ''

[...if indeed,it is the case that the FBI did behave in this manner...]

Regardless of whether Donna Lass,was abducted,through ''foul play'',and regardless of whether Donna Lass is dead or alive...

The FBI,I would suggest,wanted to ''message'' the Zodiac,that they knew what he had been up to,with regards to his reasoning,behind sending the Pines Card,in the first place.And,this ''message'' starts with the knowledge that the FBI were aware that ''Judith Hakari'' was the object of the Zodiac's attention,in constructing the card.

And,more recently,I would further suggest,that the FBI's counter intelligence ''elected'' to persuade the SF Chronicle,to publish the 2001 New Years Card,just prior to the 50th anniversary of the murders at Lake Herman Road.

As becomes increasingly likely...the FBI believe that the Zodiac was responsible for actual death threats made against Stanley Kubrick and his family,in the wake of the release of the film,''A Clockwork Orange''.

Well...the Zodiac has yet to believe it prudent,to give himself up...but the implications,if any reader is persuaded...is,that the Zodiac is still alive....and,was ''most'' unlikely to have been the Unabomber,''Ted K''.

Toots

9/23/2019 06:09:06 am

Ive read that Judith Hakari's father said that Judith had just finished her wedding engagement announcement...does anyone know if this announcement had yet been published in newspapers?

Rubislaw 32 link

9/23/2019 06:46:26 am

It is correct to state that the engagement announcement,had yet to be made public,Toots.

The holder of the site ''Pretty Death Seller'' appears to have accomplished more research on Judith Hakari's murder,than anyone else....and clearly is of the opinion that,fiance Raymond Willis,together with at least two friends...are responsible of her death.

One can only hope that,if or when the Zodiac is exposed to the public,in some form,that transparency in other seemingly related cases,will also be made plain [?].

Including Judith Hakari,and Cheri Jo Bates.

This is what seems to be shaping up,anyway.But,it could still be a case of ''all or nothing''.

When one sees the actions of Detectives Poyser and Herminghouse,one can't help feeling that this is the behaviour of a few ''junior lawmen'',desperately attempting to retrieve dignity for their respective police forces,who through fault or accident,''failed'' in their past remits.

''Everything'' has been ceded back to DOJ's now...and for a lot longer than many realize.

Toots

9/23/2019 06:57:33 am

I hate to sound like a broken record....but my suspect's sister's name was Judith.
The same sister that ended up on a downed 747 crash, the investigation which was perceived to have been a government cover-up.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/23/2019 07:06:35 am

Certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.

The real power seems to be in the hands of Departments of Justice,in seeking ''justice''.....for politicians ''come and go''.

But...when it comes to areas of ''foreign policy''....or indeed,''national security'' being compromised....it does seem that politicians hold the higher ground,with DOJ's falling ''into line''.

''Swings and roundabouts'' of power [?].

Gob

9/23/2019 05:11:13 pm

There are plenty clues to show the "Pines" card is legit Zodiac. Your point regarding Hakari also being a NURSE is a good one...and the possibility that Sierra can hint at JH's burial place. Donna, also being a nurse and her working at The Letterman Hospital can link them because Zodiac was a "Letter Man". She vanished just before a US holiday like Paul Stine in October 69 and Darlene Ferrin on the 4th of July. I think your number 4) is the answer...Donner Pass is too cute (and creepy) by half to be a coincidence. The date of Hakari's vanishing is one day before one of the 3/1982 Zodiac taunts RE: the Atlanta Child Murders (there is also a Sutter Street between the Washington Street slaughter site and initial pick up at Geary. The date of the card that alludes to Lass' demise goes with Kathleen Johns (who worked at a hospital) and Zodiac also sending Donna's sister that awful Christmas card. Too much in it to dismiss it. Besides, this card's "Sought Victim 12" goes with "Shought (sic) 21 Victim" that's on the Monticello card. Numbers just transposed and just add an 'h' to "sought". It's all there!

Rubislaw 32 link

9/23/2019 06:40:45 pm

Some good reasons,there,Gob,to believe that the Pines Card is authentic Zodiac,albeit we know that it is officially ''unconfirmed''.

In realizing that acquiring a postcard,similar to the one that we believe ''might '' have been employed by the Zodiac....would really be ''the icing on the cake'',to show beyond reasonable doubt that,it was the Zodiac who ''led'' with the card....then the FBI ''followed'' with the advert,based on the Zodiac's card.

It brings back to mind,perhaps,that the Celebrity Cipher is another example where,the FBI didn't want us to know the whole story [?].

Lyndon Lafferty never was,and never admitted to being,shown the photograph depiction,of the front of the picture postcard,

Clearly,the FBI had deemed that the public should not see the front.

But,we now know that it depicted Carmel Beach.Strangely,perhaps,and in addition,we find that it sent ''another'' message of ''peek through the pines''.

This time,Monterey Cypress Pines....as opposed to Ponderosa Pines,previously.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/24/2019 06:13:16 am

Just on a more speculative note....obviously,the majority of us,would wish to know the truth,regarding ''that'' photograph,purporting to show a middle-aged Donna Lass,in the mid-1980's.

If we examine the original claim of Phillip Powers,that surfaced about 18 months ago....it was that his grandfather,Kenneth Lester German,was the Zodiac.

It is this emergence of the photograph,just in the last 2 months,that has given the claim of Phillip Powers,a whole new ''dimension''....and,as claimed,has come from Detective Herminghouse,of the South Lake Tahoe Police.

Since the South Lake Tahoe Police,were the original investigating force,into the disappearance of Donna Lass.....what,it seems,that Detective Herminghouse,is ''messaging'' himself is : ''Don't blame us [South Lake Tahoe Police] for not finding Donna Lass.....for she had never gone missing ''to'' be found...either alive or dead.''

No abduction [?],no murder [?].,no suicide [?].....not as far as Detective Herminghouse,is concerned.

The implications,I would suggest,are,the the South Lake Tahoe Police,are blaming a covert police force,like the FBI,for......

Wasting their time.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/24/2019 09:20:01 am

Well...it does seem that there has been a general misspelling of the detective,from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

His name is Detective Jake Herminghaus,and he is a veteran serving law enforcer,for that Police Department.

According to latest news reports,Detectives Jake Herminghaus and Ross Molesworth,are on ''administration'' leave,following investigations into the shooting dead,of armed robber,Billy Jo Johnson,on October 29th 2018.

Unofficially,Herminghaus and Molesworth have been viewed as ''local heroes'',in this incident.

Perhaps,with the emergence of the photograph,it is Detective Herminghaus' intention,to ''right a few wrongs'' in the past...and,in respect to the investigation,into the disappearance,of Donna Lass,in particular [?].

I am sure that readers here at Richard's site,would welcome any comments that Detective Herminghaus,might wish to make further.

At present,the ''photograph'' simply represents a ''leak'' to the public.

Richard

9/24/2019 11:59:39 am

If the subject was releasing or presenting the photograph as Donna Lass, but it was untrue, what purpose could you ever attribute to a person prepared to concoct such a deceit. The purpose, other than attention seeking, seems devoid of any benefit and could be very damaging to the living relatives of Donna Lass. I cannot make head nor tail of this revelation and what has spawned this 50 years after the "crime".

Rubislaw 32 link

9/24/2019 12:59:07 pm

The photograph ''enigma'' is pretty baffling,at present...since there do seem grounds for believing that it ''could'' be Donna Lass,Richard.

And this photograph,I realize now...has actually been around in the public domain,for 15 months.It is only in the last 2 months,that it has been receiving widespead attention....with the ''plugging'' from Ms.Apple Florez.

Strange how the ''major players'',as perceived....Herminghaus and Powers.....have not spoken,themselves [?].

Just on a point of history,Donna's sister Mary,has been quoted,the odd time,in newspapers....and no evidence from her,that she might be saying anything misleading.But,I suppose....if Donna was in a witness protection program,then Mary wouldn't be giving any clues away,anyway.

Indeed most strange..particularly now,that there does seem,at least ''reasonable'' evidence to suggest that the Zodiac's Pines Card,was about Judith Hakari.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/25/2019 10:40:31 am

If anyone remains interested in finding the precise source of the illustration,employed for the Pines Card,by the Zodiac,then :

Though current research,it is my belief that a graphics artist,by the name of Carlos Diniz [ October 15th 1928 - July 18th 2001 ],is responsible.

Of Brazilian extraction,Diniz was brought up in Arizona,but moved to California,for his training,and subsequent creation of an ''associates'' company.

Carlos Diniz specialized in ''visualizing'' for architects,in particular.

It is also possible that,a professional partner of Diniz,Edward Bassett,might be responsible also,for the ''Peek through the Pines'' illustration.

The illustration's ''true title'',could be all important.

Richard

9/25/2019 11:26:37 am

What makes you think Diniz is the illustrator Rubislaw.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/25/2019 12:28:04 pm

In examining some small print,on the Forest Pines brochure,there are a number of ''acknowledgements'',Richard.

It was really,''deciphering'' who these companies were...and what they stood for,in contributing to the overall project.

It seems that Erickson Associates were the architects....and Carlos Diniz Associates,were the ''interpretators'' of the architects.So I am assuming that Carlos Diniz ''threw in'' the ink and pen ''Pines illustration'',as an extra,to his essential remit.

In order for the Zodiac,to have ''led'' with his card,requires [..obviously..] some sort of link,between his card illustration,and the brochure [....which was then employed,also,for the advert...].

Until the ''Pines'' illustration,is established as a graphics artwork,in its own right,I think that true ''plausability'' of what transpired....and the ''order of things'',won't be eestablished,beyond reasonable doubt.

Richard

9/25/2019 01:04:05 pm

Cheers Rubislaw. It would go a long way to achieving some clarity on when this illustration first appeared. I understand your resevations on whether the inspiration for this card was Donna Lass, as her newspaper articles were often linked with the Hakari murder. I favour Lass because of the Donner Memorial reference, but I certainly understand and contemplate the possibility that alternatives exist. If it wasn't Lass, then Hakari is a sure fire bet. Or it could be a mixed reference referring to both. I'll expect the designer of the artwork to be fully confirmed by the end of the month the? Get your Sherlock boots on.

Toots

9/25/2019 02:10:32 pm

Wondering if Phil Geitzen worked or knew any of these architects?

Rubislaw 32 link

9/25/2019 01:50:48 pm

Thanks for the encouragement,Richard.

Yes....it can remain a ''difficult call'' as things stand....and the implications of accusing the FBI of ''subterfuge'' does not sit entirely comfortable.

But,one could say that Judith Hakari is a factual murder victim,who was factually buried in a Ponderosa setting,at Ponderosa Way,Weimar.

What do we actually ''know'' about Donner Lass,and her ''fate'' ?

''That'' could be a more pertinent question,that needs answering,in relation to the Zodiac case,as a whole.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/25/2019 06:22:27 pm

Indeed...it is becoming more and more apparent that the illustration,known as the Zodiac's ''Peek through the Pines'' Card,is by the hand of Carlos Diniz.

There may be a ''lucky'' chance,to find a copy of the illustration,at the major ''buy and sell'' sites.

But,it seems that the greatest opportunity,to find all graphics,represented by ''The Forest Pines Project'',including the Pines illustration....will be found at,the archives section of :

The University of California,Santa Barbara,Art Design and Architectural Museum.

This institution holds the largest collection of Carlos Diniz's work.

At present,they are in the process of making his work available online...with some 3,000 exhibits,to process.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/26/2019 07:56:10 am

Of course I am only ''half joking'' really....but it has occurred to me....

I wonder if this makes Carlos Diniz a Zodiac suspect ?

Well if you look at some of the figurative ''jokers'' being offered up,as potential ''Zodiacs'',Diniz has probably ''earned his place'' [?].

Ian Espinoza,who has followed in his step-father,Carlos Diniz's footsteps,as a ''rendering'' graphic artist....is of the opinion that his step-father had a wicked sense of humour,and was a ''bona fide'' eccentric.

Perhaps,not ''qualifications'',as such....but worth considering.

My main ''conclusion'' over this ''Donna Lass mystery'' is,that the Pines Card,is focusing on Judith Hakari....though the Zodiac didn't kill Hakari,himself.

But...one has to wonder now [?]....are the South Lake Tahoe Police,''pissed off'' with the FBI,for having wasted their time,all those years ago [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

9/26/2019 11:33:40 am

Ok,I'm going to get a bit controversial here,having spent a number of hours,talking unofficially,with a serving homocide detective sergeant.

The reason he was willing to speak to me,was that I took a formal caution,on the chin,to save his ''ass''....and he still got ''desk duties'',for a year,for his ''indescretions''.But,he knew that his career would be ''back on track'',

As a rule of thumb,no action is taken,with regard to a murder case,that ''might'' involve more than one police force...unless a member of public ''enters the equation'',in terms of speaking up,or registering,what is deemed,by a DOJ,as a legitimate complaint.

I was ''amazed''...but the detective sergeant assured me,respective police forces just don't tread on each other's patches,or enter into ''partnerships'' over a case,more usually.

So,for example,the ''words'' shared,between Napa and Riverside Police forces,over similarities in Lake Berryessa and the Bates case,a whole year before it came out,in public....and,to the surprise and anger of the FBI....is not as unusual an occurrence,as one might think.

To get to the real point,and of pertinence,I believe,to the ''Donna Lass mystery'' :

Did Phillip Powers acquire the ''photograph'' [...causing the contoversy...],of a purported middle-aged Donna Lass,of his own accord ? Then,''lodge'' the photgraph with Detective Sergeant Herminghaus....who,at a later stage,recommended to Powers,that he release the photograph,into the public domain [?].

Or,was the photograph,something that Herminghaus ''acquired''....then saw Powers [..a member of the public..],as a good ''catch'',with which to piggy back ride,his,Herminghaus' photograph ?

If you believe the second scenario...then the chances are,that the South Lake Tahoe Police,have found out that Ms.Lass was still alive,15 years later....and are ''incandescent'' over a perceived act of ''subterfuge'',by the FBI,with regard to the disappearance of Donna Lass.....being a ''legitimate'' case,that needed to be investigated.

Richard

9/26/2019 12:24:19 pm

I think your only way of resolution to this question Rubislaw is to ask Mr Herminghaus or Powers. I see no other way of verifying the legitimacy of this story. What do we really have - a photograph and the outrageous suggestion that a woman considered dead for 50 years was still alive sometime later. If Donna Lass' sister was knowledgeable of her hidden existence, then she did an amazing job pretending she was really dead, even into the 2000s. This takes even the most crazy Zodiac claims to the next level. Evidence is one thing, but a photograph and a bunch of forum posts does very little to convince me she ever lived much beyond September 6th 1970. If we believed every forum post, then Zodiac would have about 4,000 personalities and have committed every murder from about 1940 onwards. We can speculate on this photograph until the cows come home, but in reality, how difficult is it to find someone who resembles someone else, especially when we have the added blurring of age. We also haven't had a sufficient explanation for her wanting to disappear, in what appeared to be young woman starting a new career, with flat recently rented. Arranging to meet her friend Anne Goettsche, who had travelled all the way from San Francisco for the labor day weekend, then buggering off on a disappearing trick just 10 minutes before their reunion is a really difficult argument to buy. And one that doesn't resonate with me. It would be a really pleasant surprise to find she was never murdered, but fairytales very rarely come true. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it.

Richard

9/26/2019 12:40:07 pm

And that is not a criticism of you attempting to find the answers Rubislaw, just that we are relying on third party claims of who we know nothing about.

Rubislaw 32 link

9/26/2019 01:15:11 pm

Touche Richard,with good and sensible points made.

An ''extra'' and quite strange claim made,is by a work colleague of Ms.Lass is,that she had planned to have visitors staying in her ''tiny'' flat,and further,that the colleague had seen evidence,in the flat of physical ''re-arrangements'',of her flat,to accomodate those visitors.so that they would not need to spend extra,on hotels.

We have not been made aware when,precisely.Mary and her son,turned up,after Donna's claimed disappearance.But the two did spend the night at Donna's flat,before returning to South Dakota,with Donna's possessions....and her car.

If one is to believe these reports...then something does look,a little ''orchestrated'',about the whole affair [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

9/26/2019 12:43:46 pm

If I have lost some,in following what I am trying to explain,then the bare bones of what might be the case is,that....

The FBI knew all along,that Donna Lass was alive and,more than likely.had agreed to a witness protection program,in exchange for information,linked to her ''working environment''.

And,on an ''optimistic'' level....as a ''countdown'' starts,to the arrest of the Zodiac,unless he gives himself up first....a few ''home truths'' are beginning to emerge.''behind the scenes''.....with various law enforcement agencies,like police forces....simply desparate to be seen,in a good light.

The reality is,given that an arrest will be made,is...that intially,''no one'' will care about the mistakes of the past,with all eyes focused on the ''landed fish''.

But,once the historians get to work...''few'' involved in attempting to expose him,with no success over a 50 year period.....are going to come up ''smelling of roses''.

Most branches of law enforcement,will actually be.....damned to hell,for their mistakes.

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