SAN JOSE LETTER AND CODE - 11-21-69

12/3/2018

Lighthouse Point. Click image for Google maps.

With extensive work done by AK Wilks on this topic, I would like to take a further look at the letter and code mailed to the San Jose Police Department on November 21st 1969. This came just ten days before the abduction of Elaine Davis from Walnut Creek on December 1st 1969. Her abductor traveling from the Bay Area, depositing her Navy peacoat just 26 miles south of San Jose, likely passing through it on his way to Light House Point in Santa Cruz. If the Zodiac was responsible for both letter and murder, then San Jose is a worthy avenue of interest. AK Wilks asked a pertinent question of the forum: "Does someone know of a recent murder case in San Jose that left someone a widow? Or a prominent widow who lived in San Jose in 1969? The police were seemingly able to determine who it was, so perhaps it was a well known case or person". The brief text in the letter clearly contained enough information for police to identify the woman and implement 24 hour surveillance on her residence. Was the author threatening to kill the 'widow' or abduct her from her residence?

The Zodiac Killer (or copycat) mailed a menacing postcard to Dr, Edward Adams in Orinda, California (near Walnut Creek) on October 12th 1970 stating "The Zodiac is going to change the way of committing murders. I shall announce when I shall commit my murders, The Adamses are Next you taught me to Mean it. ADAMS YOU ARE NEXT. ZODIAC."
As shown on the ZodiacKillerSite forum, Dr. Edward Adams and his wife featured in the newspapers prior to this threatening communication, so it is perfectly feasible that the author of the San Jose letter and code had identified his target in the days, weeks or months prior to the November 21st 1969 correspondence. Because of the nature of the redacted text, it appears that this letter was addressed specifically to a titled officer (possibly a Sergeant or Chief) of the San Jose Police Department. Bearing in mind the target of a 'widow' mentioned in the text, the author may be referring to a newspaper article involving the death of her husband, featuring commentary by the police official the letter is addressed to. The officer's name could be any number of characters in length depending on the title he holds, with the widow's surname just 5 or 6 characters in length.
Was the widow a prominent member of society as suggested by AK Wilks, possibly a policewoman or politician, titled like Dr. Edward Adams. On December 16th 1969 the Zodiac Killer had set his sights on a cop or "government life".

San Mateo Times

On the left is a December 22nd 1969 newspaper report from the San Mateo Times of somebody identifying himself as 'Zodiac' and threatening to kill five patrolmen and a family of five over the weekend, not dissimilar to his written threats in his trinity of July 31st 1969 letters: "I will cruse around all weekend killing lone people in the night then move on to kill again, until I end up with a dozen people over the weekend".
The phone call was received on Friday December 19th 1969 by San Jose police dispatcher Shirley Searcy.

The disputed December 7th and 16th 1969 Fairfield letters (not published in the newspapers) both contained threats to murder cops for the first time, with the latter threatening to murder one policeman in San Jose. Three days later, this call to a San Jose Highway Patrol station threatening to murder police is remarkable timing. Was the caller responsible for both Fairfield letters - and more importantly - was it the Zodiac Killer?

I have searched high and low for the identity of this woman, but without a newspapers.com account to aid in the search I have failed to make any inroads. The author of the San Jose letter (if Zodiac) certainly didn't need a valid reason to target anybody, as shown by his murderous assault in the Bay Area, but the identity of the 'widow' could help to add legitimacy to both Fairfield letters mailed in December, dependent on her profession or previous relationship. The November 21st, December 7th and December 16th communications all contained short codes, the amateurish nature of which has led many to believe these three letters are the work of an impostor. But these features may actually bolster the argument for Zodiac involvement, as all three were never attempting to mimic the previously polished 408 and 340 cipher, which somebody attempting to mimic the Zodiac would surely have done.

UPDATE: THE DRIPPING PEN CARD AND SAN JOSE CONNECTION
THE STORY OF SAN JOSE

16 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

12/3/2018 12:39:04 pm

It certainly seems as if the San Jose letter,of Nov.21st 1969,denoted the beginning of a whirlwind of activity,for the Zodiac,in the lead in,to Christmas,of that year.

And,for the San Jose PD,it wasn't over,as the Dec.22nd report of threats to San Jose cops,shows.Richard.

It has been proffered that,Zodiac might have used a piece of Stine's shirt,to convince the San Jose PD,so quickly,on the threat to a local widow....just a conjecture,but reaction was swift.

Darlene Ferrin's sister Linda became widowed,and then decided to move to San Jose.But so far,I can only confirm this,to about 3 years after Darlene's murder.....and not the 4-5 months after,that would have needed to have been the case,for Linda to have been,the widow,in question.

Just to leave a thought on a particular date,December 22nd,which is first day of public reportage of threats against San Jose policemen.Also,the day a presumed Zodiac,visited JFK Library,Vallejo....so,was presumably still in the Bay Area,with 3 days to go,before Xmas....bearing in mind that,he may not have been a ''full time'' resident.

In addition,I note that the writer of the Benicia High School Note,claimed that he would blow up the school ''between now and the 22 of Dec.''.Presumably,three years after the hive of activity,from the San Jose Letter,to Christmas,with Zodiac's ''eighth victim'',always an additional possibility.

Richard

12/3/2018 12:50:18 pm

I must add Rubislaw that the report of the phone call also appeared in the Fresno Bee newspaper on December 20th 1969, the same day as the Belli letter.

Shawn

12/3/2018 01:09:33 pm

I would say the call is significant if it was called in on Dec. 20 1969...same day as Belli letter postmarked.

There were so many kooks and wannabes back then causing coincidences......sorting out the kook events 50 years later can potentially cause frustration ;).

If one cloaks himself in this case too much it could be potentially unhealthy. The Zodiac is still victimizing people.....with the enticing and baffling clues he left behind.

Richard

12/3/2018 03:21:51 pm

In the stabbing murders of Gaul and Sharp on November 21st 1969, the letter pictured here contains circles with dots in the middle of two, and some other circular like drops. http://www.zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=434

In the unpublished Fairfield letter you can again see circles with dots and some other circular like drops, that look very similar to the Gaul letter.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/3/2018 01:07:50 pm

Yes,Richard,with many considerations on the table....it does seem that the Zodiac was ''buzzing'',at that time....and one wonders if he had decided to put in motion,a campaign of terror,ending in a complete disappearance,from the scene,close to Christmas Day [?].

I have that ''Z5+4'' cryptogram down,in the Fairfield Dec.16th letter,as ''Shitkicker American Automobile Association''.This organization,had the power,to recommend to authorities,that they take away your driver's licence.That could have been something else,on Zodiac's mind [?].

The indications are,that Zodiac may have become ''positively haunted'',at that time....and although the Belli letter,is the only official indicator....''all the rest of it'',that doesn't actually receive official confirmation....may be,for that very reason...that being,that the authorities chose to keep a ''tight lid'' on what seems like ''complete mayhem''.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/3/2018 07:35:11 pm

Interesting,on the correspondence possible link,between the Gaul and Sharp murders [LA],and Fairfield letter.

Was the Zodiac,to eventually start copying quirks,by copycats of him...is probably,the most reasonable question....and indeed,proffered answer [?].

A Tennessee Williams play : The Milk Train doesn't stop here,anymore.

''You are too beautiful to live,and so you have to die.''

Rubislaw 32 link

12/3/2018 08:49:27 pm

Where I am at,if of any consequence to anyone is,that the San Jose letter ''is'' the manifestation of a renewed campaign of terror,by the Zodiac.

Zodiac causes a bit of havoc ''down San Jose way'',and sticks a finger up,at the FBI,at the same time.

The catalyst,being mostly about failing to secure a drivers licence,in Grant's name.This campaign,includes the Day-by-Day forecasts,and Fairfield letters.....and probably an ''eighth victim''.But,it may also include tricks like phoning hoaxing,with the threat of a bomb.We should remember that Stine's murder was an IRA copycat....so,possibly more of the IRA's range of terror [?].I read about a Walmart,in Santa Rosa,that had to cleared,due to a ''Zodiac'' phone call...and never seen it ever reported again.

Apart from the obvious concern about being caught,for his ''eighth victim'',it was starting to dawn on Zodiac,the concept of ''secondary police forces'',such as bus and taxi drivers...and the AAA breakdown service.That,in essence he might just be reported,for driving like a lunatic,by more than the conventional cops.

And,although he had yet to give away his true identity....just maybe,Grant might start getting it in the neck,from the authorities,on account of Zodiac using Grant's vehicle plates.

The penny could eventually drop,on ''impersonation'' of Grant,by the authorities,at any time.

Impersonating Grant,as a library user...had been a ''walk in the park''.But all this constant use of a car....and only watching out for ''the real cops''....might just be Zodiac's undoing.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/4/2018 02:14:08 am

One can look at this period of approximately 4 weeks,leading into Christmas 1969,from various viewpoints.

Zodiac had been pretty much,if not definitely suspected of 4 Bay Area attacks,resulting in the death of innocents....and the FBI were now ''on board'',with the,at least perceived,increased element of extortion,to the cannon of this ''mass murderer''.

So,if a renewed campaign had started,with the San Jose letter,although LE were more ''on standby'',it would still have taken a while,to realise that,the implications of the San Jose letter,were more than an isolated incident.

Perhaps the 1st Fairfield letter,of December 7th,was the first real clue of something of a continuation [?].

San Jose,Fairfield,San Francisco....Zodiac was quite obviously ,moving about,in his efforts to impose terror.

And,we often overlook the hierarchical nature of Law Enforcement.Cops on the ground,are issued with orders...and anything gleaned,is sent ''up the line''.

Was there any ''immediate action'',by those in the most senior positions,on strategy,to deal with,what appeared to be ''a one man army'' [?].Unlikely,in the way we might think,as with generals,assessing their enemies next move.

If there was any ''discomfort'',from the hierarchy,it would probably have been more about,keeping it all,under wraps.

For this was the season of ''good cheer'',and the priority would have been,the local economy and putting on a brave face.

Lots of shopping to be had,money to be spent,and hotels doing well,out of affluent tourists.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/5/2018 12:32:13 am

I note,Richard,that you have made reference to the ''unconfirmed'' paste up card,of October 12th 1970,where a presumed Zodiac,lays threat to the local psychiatrist,and Sierra Club ''big wig'',with ''You taught me to mean it Adams,you are next''.

Most Zodiac enthusiasts are probably aware that LHR chief investigating detective,Leslie Lundblad,and ex-Vallejo cop,Lyndon Lafferty,were of the opinion that,William Joseph Grant was the Zodiac.

In 2003,along with suspects,such as ALA and Mr.X,the FBI,in carrying out work,on behalf of the CA DOJ,US DOJ,and President George W.Bush,concluded that Grant's DNA,did ''not'' match that of The Zodiac.

However,from Lafferty's albeit ''village gossip'' point of view,the following is claimed :

Edward Adams's past was a little ''murky''.A psychiatrist who was once under suspicion of unethically having sex,with some of his patients.And was believed to have ''White Supremacist'' leanings.

William Grant had been a patient of Adams...we presume,to cure him of alcoholism.

Following Grant's victory in court,acquiring an injunction against the police,for ''unfounded'' harassment,it is believed that Grant ''came clean'',to his wife,Marion.The result of this ''surprise news'',caused Marion,to have a nervous breakdown.

At this point,Grant thought the best option,was send her to Adams,for treatment.

One should bear in mind that Marian and Lafferty's wife,Yvonne,were work colleagues and best friends.Despite this,Marian was only ever able to confide in Yvonne,of a secret that she dare not disclose.Similarly,Marion conveyed this to Dr.Adams.

Adams's suggestion of a solution was,to advise Marian,that she should try to persuade her husband to come in,so that he,Adams,could talk to the couple,together.

When Marion conveyed this to Grant,he flew into a rage,The consequence was,that Adams treated Marian,the best he could.

However,it appears that,it was not only Lafferty,that suspected Grant,of having disclosed to Marion,that he,Grant,was the Zodiac.

Laffery claims that the personal ad,that appeared in the SF Chronicle :

''Zodiac,your partner is in deep real estate.Your next.The Imperial Wizard can save you.Surrender to him,or I'll terminate your case.''

As an interpretation :

''Grant,Marion is in a deep state.Your next.I can save you.Surrender to me,or I'll terminate your wife's treatment.''

If one does not believe that Grant was Zodiac,then :

i] Zodiac was threatening Adams,with the postcard,pretending to be Grant.

ii] Zodiac,himself,placed the personal message,pretending to be Adams,addressing Grant,whom he thought to be the Zodiac,and having caused Marian her nervous breakdown,by having disclosed this,to her.

.....it can all get quite intriguing and confusing,with ''Shakespearean'' proportions [?].

Richard

12/5/2018 06:55:37 am

I noticed Lyndon Lafferty's book is 36 quid to buy (no kindle). Bit steep. I wanted to give his book a chance and so I can relate to the story a bit more. Sadly I'm not coffing up that much. However, I do believe Zodiac is responsible for many of the outlier letters, although still struggle with the Scorpion letters, which I know you favour Rubislaw. Certainly, Zodiac was threatening Adams for a reason - you certainly don't just stick a pin in the phone directly and with the threat on "government life", the high profile "widow" and and Dr Adams, he either had some personal connection to these people, or had an intense dislike of successful people, threatening them to boost his own profile. After his October 11th murder, he either just ramped up the letter writing to fill a void, and insinuated his involvement in some of the murders, or had a hand in one or two. I still stick to the canonical 5, but certainly wouldn't rule out his involvement in more. The San Jose and Fairfield letters I have confidence are Zodiac, and possibly the Dec 10 and 11 letters, but with pasted material and a lack of written text it's a little difficult to be sure.

Richard

12/5/2018 07:01:15 am

I am unsure of the William Grant connection, so I will refrain from making any comments on something I know nothing about - it wouldn't be right and proper. Sorry I cannot be of much assistance on this one. When the book becomes a reasonable price I'll buy it, or I may nip down Coventry library and see if they have it.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/5/2018 08:30:52 am

I just plunged in,with the full $45,Richard,when ''The Silenced Badge'' first came out.I keep finding new things,within,since Lafferty's legal requirement to use cover names.

I'm sure it's available,to read online.

The notion that Grant was Zodiac,is very weak....but becomes all too apparent,to me,that Zodiac was using Grant,as a patsy.

And,ended up,making Grant's life.a ''living hell''.

The ''unanswered question'',if you will is,why Grant didn't go running to the authorities,when the reality of his situation,became all too obvious.

And some,understandably,will see that as an argument against the ''patsy theory''.

What one needs to understand is,the reason ''why''.This,I have conveyed to the authorities....and is a provable proposition.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/5/2018 03:02:48 pm

Just on a matter of ''homophobia'',Richard,if your readers might care to be interested.

I see,in Lafferty's book,a derogatory remark against Graysmith,who had worded a description of Marco Spinelli,thus :

''Antifeminist columnist Count Marco Spinelli,a former hairdresser,quit the Chronicle because of this threat.''

A ''former hairdresser'' ? Whatever relevance could that possibly have had [?]....apart from increasing the ''propensity'' for ''gay-ness'',that Spinelli,might have held.

The ''old guard'' of Graysmith and Lafferty,and Avery,could cetainly ''bitch'' with the best of them,in those days.

Recently,I found myself,through research,at the ''Reddit'' site,where I spotted a relation of Richard Gyke's making mention of Gykes' family considering suing Mr.Voigt,for ''verbal GBH'' of their past loved one.

It seems that Mr.Voigt has had a torrid time of it,in the last few years.Ostracised by SF newspapers over his treatment of Mr.Lafferty,including ridiculous claims of ''two interviews'' with William Grant......was followed by a ''being bored'' attempt at raising a $100,000 reward for the arrested of the Zodiac....which had LE ''wincing'' over prospective ''vigilantism'' by an irresponsible element of the public.

No wonder the ''Zodiac meister'' took himself off,to hunt down the elusive ''Big Foot''.

He probably thought that his chances of success,were greater than what had unfolded,in his attempts to expose the Zodiac [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

12/5/2018 11:08:06 pm

While I remember,with respect to the ''enigmatic'' DMV letter.

It started to become of public interest,when Claudia Stine,Paul's wife,and employee of The DMV,claimed that she had heard,through her work grapevine,of its existence.

Her understanding was,at the time,that it constituted a letter of complaint,addressed to the Director of the DMV,California,by the Zodiac Killer.

Lyndon Lafferty's claim,with an ear to the ground,LE wise,was that someone had attempted,unsuccessfully,to obtain a Driver's licence,in William Grant's name,twice in one day.

If the Zodiac,had done his homework,with regard to facilitating its desired receipt,then he would have added a Sacramento address,to the envelope.

But,the letter,may have still been farmed out,to any of the approximate 170 field branches,in California.

This could have included the towns of Willows and Paradise.

Our likelihood of viewing the letter,is probably slim.But,only if we could find out its date,would be of great value [?].

12/7/2018 12:35:01 pm

Richard

The Bryan Hartnell's car door is a forensic treasure trove, that LE has not dipped into. It's clear there are blood smudges at the top that look like finger prints. And, the huge blood smear on and around the door handle is only too obvious. That blood could be a mix of Bryan's and Cecelia's. But, it could also be mixed with the Zodiac's. As, blood is so slippery that when it gets on the knife handle during attacks of this nature. The knife wielder typically cuts their own hand during the act. When he'd strike bone it would give enough resistance to surly cause his hand to slide from the handle down the blade.

http://www.zodiackillerfacts.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/2_-_September_27_1969_Door_of_Bryan_Hartnell_car.jpg

In the picture of the door on the left you have the word "by knife". LE covered it for the picture on the right.
What else is covered? I see a faint area the size of a piece of typing paper in the left picture after the "by knife".
Was there some air brushing of the image? Also, the handwriting on the paper looks similar to the door's.
This door is evidence of LE involvement since it sits there for 50 years hiding in plain sight. Peace.

Kurt

10/4/2019 06:00:59 pm

"Also, the handwriting on the paper looks similar to the door's." YES!!!! I thought that the instant i saw it.

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SAN JOSE LETTER AND CODE - 11-21-69

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