STILL DRIVING AROUND IN 1987

4/13/2020

October 27th 1987 envelope. Click image above to show the July 31st 1969 envelope written by the Zodiac Killer.

October 27th 1987 Vallejo Times-Herald envelope

"A letter sent to a newspaper by someone who said he was the Zodiac serial killer of 19 years ago was declared a hoax Thursday by the state Department of Justice. The letter, in which the writer threatened to kill trick or treaters on Halloween, was similar to several mailed to area newspapers in the late 1960s and early 70s. It was received by the Vallejo Times-Herald Wednesday, but a handwriting analysis found it to be a phony, police reported. Vallejo police Capt. Roy Conway said the letter ″was not authored by the authentic Zodiac, but that it is a simulation of a hoax letter written in 1978". link. "In Sacramento, spokeswoman Melinda Stehr of the attorney general's office said handwriting experts confirmed the letter was a simulation of a letter sent to the San Francisco Chronicle a decade ago, which was also considered to be a hoax. 'Someone saw the letter and was using it as a copy,' Stehr said. 'It's a fake. It's a hoax". link.

The author of the October 1987 letter had a multitude of genuine Zodiac letters available to him from the 1960s and 1970s. but we are led to believe that the designer of the 1987 letter chose to mimic the only letter ever made public to be comprehensively questioned regarding its authenticity. Any author that is trying to convince the reader he is Zodiac would simply take a trip to the library, scroll through the microfilm and access a wealth of Zodiac writings, or buy Robert Graysmith's 1986 Zodiac book. According to the excerpts from the articles above, the hoaxer got his hands on images of the 1978 letter from nine years ago. If he was capable of doing that, he was capable of accessing the Zodiac letters from 1969 through to 1971. Despite this, the author of the 1987 letter copycatted the copycat from nine years ago, to convince current investigators he was the real Zodiac and not a copycat. Also, why would a copycat determined to pass themselves off as Zodiac, deliberately choose to mimic the opening three lines of the 1978 letter and give the impression they are a copycat. The real Zodiac Killer would have no such concerns.

How did the handwriting experts conclude that the killer mimicked an envelope from 18 years ago so accurately, if he had no access to an image of the 1969 Vallejo Times-Herald envelope? They clearly made a comparison between the 1987 and 1978 letters, but could not have compared the two envelopes and arrived at the conclusion they made. The copycat managed to imitate the July 31st 1969 envelope down to the full address of Vallejo Times-Herald, which was never used in the 1969 letters themselves. Although blurry, the handwriting looks compatible, the "Please Rush to Editor" directive was added twice, no commas or full stops were used on both occasions and thirteen words comprised each envelope in both instances. This copycat certainly went to a lot of effort to apparently mimic an envelope he had no access to, while apparently copying the 1978 letter he did have access to and knew was regarded as a fake. This clearly makes no sense. Then we consider the letter mailed in 1986.

The 1987 author was without doubt the designer of the 1986 letter. The May 6th 1986 letter wasn't published in the newspapers prior to October 27th 1987 (or thereafter), yet just one year later, the supposed hoaxer of the 1987 Zodiac letter just happened to fashion his letter with near identical opening lines, and referenced how "The Blue Meannies almost caught me" and how "The blue pigs can catch me". That is one hell of a coincidence if the authors are two separate and distinct individuals. This is either a determined hoaxer, writing Zodiac letters twelve and thirteen years adrift from the last confirmed Zodiac letter on January 29th 1974, or it is the real Zodiac Killer. What is the likelihood that the author of the 1986 and 1987 letters was a hoaxer, maintaining his interest over 1 1/2 years, who was also able to reproduce the July 31st 1969 Vallejo Times-Herald envelope to such accuracy when apparently he had no access to it?

The 1990 Eureka Christmas card and 2001 Happy New Year card weren't enough to rule out candidates as the Zodiac Killer, but the 1986 and 1987 letters, in conjunction with the envelope comparison, leaves little doubt remaining that Ross Sullivan and Earl Van Best Jr were not the Zodiac Killer. Ross Sullivan died on September 29th 1977 and Earl Van Best Jr died on May 20th 1984, so could not be the author of either the 1986 or 1987 letter.

Of course, it goes without saying, that almost all staunch advocates of Ross Sullivan and Earl Van Best Jr will by default reject the 1978, 1986, 1987, 1990 and 2001 communications out of hand. The default setting will be turned to discredit rather than objectively analyze, irrespective of the strength of any presentation.

While some people have claimed that Robert Graysmith may be responsible for forging the 1986 and/or 1987 letter to ignite interest in his book, they have yet to offer any evidence to support such such a claim, other than just speculation. If Robert Graysmith had secured access to all the Zodiac envelopes, you could be assured they would have featured in his Zodiac book, as opposed to the just the Dripping Pen card and Los Angeles Times envelopes. The former of which was readily available in the San Francisco Chronicle article by Paul Avery on November 16th 1970.

A FRESH LOOK AT THE 1987 LETTER [PART ONE]

20 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

4/13/2020 01:50:56 pm

The 1987 letter ,as referred in the newspaper article :

''...it is a simulation of a hoax letter written in 1978 . ''

The above is inaccurate reportage , when referring to the ( presumed ) April 1978 letter .

Whatever anyone's opinion , including mine , on that April 1978 letter , it remains officially '' confirmed '' for authenticity .

Originally 4 handwriting experts , including semi-retired Sherwood Morril pass the letter as authentic .

Then , the 4 handwriting experts are officially requested to check again .

The second time , Morril remains convinced of authenticity , but the other three change their minds , from authentic , to UNDECIDED .

A public relations nightmare,with criticism that the other three experts had been leaned on , to move their opinions...and , Morril speaking out in public , now that he was no longer in the employment of the CA DOJ .

But technically , not one of the four experts , ever gave the April 1978 letter , an official reject and , it remains to-day , as the last Zodiac letter , carrying official authenticity .

Even , the May 1978 and July 1978 letters are not accorded official authenticity....but , the April 1978 letter is .

Richard

4/13/2020 02:31:00 pm

I believe it authentic too Rubislaw, but once I didn't. What I would like to know however, is how the DNA chart from the SFPD were so cocksure it was not an authentic Zodiac letter. In a DNA list one would assume that they determined this via DNA. But they didn't have Zodiac DNA, but no doubt they took Toschi's DNA to see if he hoaxed it. Yet the investigation apparently cleared him. The only way they could definitively declare the 1978 letter not a Zodiac letter, is if they matched the DNA to someone they knew wasn't Zodiac - like Dave Toschi. Or the DNA was female. Did the DNA from the 1978 letter match Toschi, but they kept it under wraps. With this declaration on the SFPD DNA list, it is difficult to determine anything. The only other option I can think of, is they just determined it was fake based on handwriting, and just added to the DNA list. In other words, it was declared not authentic based on handwriting and not DNA.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/13/2020 02:55:58 pm

These are difficult and open-ended questions granted .

But , I have found that when in doubt , stick to what is known , and what is officially documented . Often some refer to , what the '' SFPD '' or '' VPD '' claim they have , in terms of forensics evidence .

Cyndy Holt , Diane Sawyer , ABC Primetime Breakfast TV ( ? ) ....and their '' relationship with the SFPD forensic lab .

The VPD , and a purported relationship with a '' secret lab. '' ( ? ) .

Just too many '' self-important '' latching on to a claimed link , with nothing substantive to back it up .

Since July 1969 , the CA DOJ awarded jurisdiction on ALL forensics , to the FBI - period .

it may be the case that , on occasion , and for a '' pubic occasion '' , the CA DOJ might have seen it ,of public relations merit , to ask the FBI to give or loan information , to an agency involved in the Zodiac case , as the SFPD .

But that's were the '' picture '' on the surface ends . The reality has always been that any real forensics work , has taken place at Quantico , in the service of the Attorney General of the CA DOJ .

And we , as sleuths , have to make guesses....on this basis .

Richard

4/13/2020 03:21:10 pm

I will bet you a bottom dollar that the 1987 VTH envelope is spelled "HEROLD". I reckon that would make 3/3. 1969, 1987 and 1990.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/13/2020 03:35:47 pm

I think so too , Richard .

Some might query : '' What's the big deal about Herald or Herold ? '' as if it might be nit - picking on something , among many other considerations , on correspondences .

I can only suggest that the vast majority of aspects to correspondences , concern themselves with the SF Chronicle who , received the lion's share of the Zodiac's mail .

So , mail going elsewhere , can tend , ironically , to stand out more .

Rubislaw 32 link

4/13/2020 11:47:25 pm

'' Herold '' is quite a popular boy's name , in Holland , meaning '' Strong fighter ''. So,a Dutch connection , there .

One presumes that '' Harold '' is the English equivalent ( ? ) .

The Triumph Herald was a popular British car , manufactured between 1959 and 1971 .

'' Hark the Herald Angels sing , glory to a new born King '' ( ? ) :

A Hymn associated with the birth of a new baby . It may have been in the Zodiac's mind , with having children in his private life ( ? ) .

A new born King ( ? ) :

The Zodiac , himself
Robert Graysmith
Clint Eastwood

Rubislaw 32 link

4/14/2020 02:02:23 am

....and , of course , if the Zodiac was , or became an ex-patriot worker and overseas resident then , the likelihood is that he would read '' The International Herald Tribune ''.

Available throughout the world , six days a week , and in paper print form , 1967 - 2002 .

Richard

4/14/2020 02:57:51 am

Another thing to consider Rubislaw, is the wording in the 1987 letter and its timing. The writing and composition of the two Vallejo Times-Herald envelopes is extremely similar. At this time, these were the only two communications mailed to the VTH and the message in both is similar.

On July 31st 1969 he talked about cruising (driving) around all weekend until he had killed a dozen people.
On October 28th 1987 he talked about driving around on Halloween in his death machine looking for kids to run over.

The message is essentially the same, when we consider Halloween (October 31st 1987) was a Saturday. So effectively he is again saying he will be "driving around over the weekend in his death machine looking for kids to run over". The overarching message is the same, other than the age of his victims we presume. The only difference is his use of "kids" has been changed to "kiddies". But since both communications were mailed to the Vallejo paper, obviously the suggestion is he will be driving around Vallejo, giving the reader the impression of residency to Vallejo. Whether Zodiac had moved by 1987, and this was just a deliberate leading by Zodiac is open to interpretation. But since it has been many years (18 to be exact), the extreme similarity between both envelopes, that he never adopted in intervening communications, appears like a deliberate choice by Zodiac. I may be reading too much into the envelope and letter, but the Zodiac certainly had plenty of time between communications to carefully design them carefully. He may, as you suggest, live elsewhere and was reliving the good old times he had in Vallejo. It's certainly not without merit.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/14/2020 03:58:26 am

Indeed Richard , reasonably little doubt that the Zodiac was a Vallejo resident and , based on Lafferty's library finds , at latest , February 1968 .

Personally , I believe that the Zodiac's swansong as a '' most time '' resident of Vallejo , was the Halloween Card and , by November 1970 , was largely residing back in his primary home , close to Pasadena , Los Angeles , and in effect waiting on an overseas posting .

It is conceivable that the Zodiac was '' The North Hollywood Hoaxer '' , with some of his '' work '' turning up in the SLA FBI Files . If so , then it is probable that he owned two cars , one of which had Oregon licence plates .

In addition , that he was want to hire cars immediately , when flying to any destination . And , that he smoked '' Lucky Strike '' cigarettes , when not flying , and availing himself of 555 cigarettes .

( Dr.Hacker , Sammy Davis Jr. , Randolph Apperson Hearst , Col.Sanders , Bay area and New York periodicals and Newspapers , and more besides , including prominent politicians of the day )

But anyway , almost certainly a regular traveller , who couldn't do without the constant use of a motorcar .

Rubislaw 32 link

4/14/2020 12:52:36 pm

It would certainly be interesting to see if crimes , such as the Highway 99 and King's Road children tragedies , made the International Herald Tribune ( ? ) .Even the news stories related , by inference , in the 2001 New Years Card .

At a quieter time , I might have a look . Subscription to the archives of the Herald Tribune can be as little as a $5 one month trial .

With the journalistic phenomenon of The Press Association , access to news stories from other newspapers , has always been relatively easy , in the modern era .And , sometimes represents a direct copy of the reportage of a story .

Richard

4/14/2020 01:18:26 pm

That would be a great idea Rubislaw. I suppose one day, I might get a newspapers.com account.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/15/2020 06:22:14 am

With this October 28th 1987 letter , the ( presumed ) Zodiac makes 4 requests :

1 ) '' Tell Herb Caen that I am still here...''

2 ) '' Tell the blue pigs.....''

3 ) '' Tell the kiddies.....''

4 ) '' Tell Toschi my new plans .''

'' Tell Toschi my new plans . '' ???

What new plans ?

Perhaps '' new plans '' that were contained in the envelope , that might be a bigger envelope than we first imagine , and accompany this 1987 letter ( ? ) .

On July 19th 1978 , though officially unconfirmed , the SF Chronicle received a typed letter from the Zodiac in which , he stated :

'' I have cheap sets all over. ''

'' Cheap sets '' is usually an expression , referring to ladies costume jewellery . It might be just a necklace and earrings , but might also match with a pendant and brooch , also .It is referred as such , since it contains little intrinsic value , in terms of metals and stones , but can often have pawn value , if of a particular period , like Art Deco , or is simply attractive looking .

So, this term '' cheap sets '' is presumed to be a dig at Dave Toschi , over the Fan Mail Scandal when , Toschi was relieved of his duties , as a Homicide Detective , and reassigned '' pawn detail '' .

It maybe the case , therefore , that in 1987 , and nine years on from Toschi's public disgrace , that the Zodiac was electing to have another dig at Toschi , with some '' new plans '' enclosed , in addition to the 1987 letter .

Rubislaw 32 link

4/15/2020 06:48:11 am

....and further :

If we examine the '' out of focus '' image of the October 28th 1987 envelope , what do we find ?

Well , we can make out 4 postage stamps , that might have been played around with , a little , by the FBI .

As you have illustrated , Richard , there are two 1985 22 cent '' Flag over Capital '' U.S. postage stamps .

What are the other two postage stamps ?

As far as I have been able to research , the other two postage stamps are :

Either or both :

1 ) 1985 12 cents Stanley Steamer U.S. postage stamp

2 ) 1985 11 cents Stutz Bearcat Motorcar U.S. postage stamp

Hence , the Zodiac has employed 1985 postage stamps , for this 1987 '' letter '' envelope , and has spent :

Any of the following :

( 2 x 22 ) + 12 + 11 = 67 cents
( 2 x 22 ) + 12 + 12 = 68 cents
( 2 x 22 ) + 11 + 11 = 66 cents

Now , a standard letter , in 1987 would be 22 cents (..and postcard 14 cents...).
So, why has the Zodiac spent 66-68 cents , for a presumed item of mail , that would normally be 22 cents ?

Probably , because there were more items enclosed , besides the one sheet letter .

Probably , because the Zodiac had also enclosed his '' new plans '' for Toschi .

Richard

4/15/2020 07:21:26 am

I suspect "tell toschi my new plans" may just be referencing his plans to run kiddies over on Halloween". If there was an addition to the envelope other than the letter (and I'm not asserting there was), it would be something like a bomb diagram, which we know was withheld from Zodiac's communications back in 1970. However, Tom Voigt does claim something else arrived with the original Halloween card, suggesting it may be related to Nancy Bennallack. In terms of the stamps, there are only two stamps on the envelope totalling 44c.
The dark markings to the right of the flags is just the writing on the stamps, blurred and distorted by the less than clear image.

Richard

4/15/2020 07:26:07 am

Since the 1963 5¢ Flag Over the White House issue, the USPS has continued to picture the American flag on its most commonly used stamp - the first-class definitive. Printed in sheets, coils, and booklets, these stamps carry the majority of our nation's mail. In fact, the Flag definitives are printed and sold in far greater quantity than any other U.S. issues. This stamp was the first to be perforated on the BEP's new EUREKA perforator, which punched the sheets with perfect bull's-eye perforations.

How ironic - Eureka.

Rubislaw 32 link

4/15/2020 07:53:16 am

Interesting information , Richard .

I think that one inference that might be made is , that the Zodiac '' pulled '' 1985 stamps from a collection that he held , as a stamp collector .

Certainly not new , as an observation on the Zodiac .

Rubislaw 32 link

4/15/2020 08:56:05 am

Another consideration , Richard .

Say , we accept that the 1987 letter is , all that was contained within its accompanying envelope. That , in effect , the only reference to Toschi is the dig , by the Zodiac , that Toschi is no longer involved in detective work that would involve exposing the Zodiac .

It is certainly conceivable that , the Zodiac has only employed two 1985 22 cent postage stamps , amounting to 44 cents postage paid .

It is difficult to find precise overseas charges , but last year , the U.S. Post Office was charging 55 cents for a standard letter , and $1.15 for an airmail equivalent....so approximately twice the price for airmail .

It does pose another '' Gnawing '' question , over whether the Zodiac , in 1987 , sent this letter , from overseas ( ? ) .

Richard

4/15/2020 09:16:48 am

Assuming he took his stamps with him. What about the franking?

Rubislaw 32 link

4/15/2020 09:27:34 am

Well...there is that '' raiding '' of his stamp collection , possibility .

Interesting , the franking question and , naturally we won't find a solution , unless the VTH miraculously find it in their heart , to supply you with a decent photo.

But , we can point to overseas franking , in the case of the North Hollywood Hoaxer , with one piece of mail that was initially processed in Hong Kong .

The crux of the matter could be construed ( ? ) as...why is it that the Zodiac appears to have paid twice the postage , that he needed to .

Rubislaw 32 link

4/16/2020 04:22:01 am

With this '' out of focus '' photo of the envelope , it just brings it '' in to focus '' what counter-intelligence get up to and , with a small-time extortionist , but on a prolific scale , like the Zodiac , there seems to be so much that counter-intelligence do '' fix '' , for the purposes of public consumption .

One can't help feeling that they enjoy their job to an extent that , they sometimes forget for what purpose is their ultimate goal ( ? ) .

'' You're supposed to catch the bad guy - and don't forget it . ''

STILL DRIVING AROUND IN 1987

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