TAKING A BREAK

2/14/2019

I shall be taking a break from the Zodiac scene for a few months to consider my future contributions to the case. It has become increasingly more difficult to find topics that haven't already been covered extensively. The danger in continuing to contribute further articles, is the danger of repeating oneself or starting to fall into the realms of fantasy. I will maintain the website in its current form, although comments will be turned off in approximately two weeks. I will assess things again in the near future. I hope eventually this case will be solved by any means possible, but unfortunately I see little hope.
Thanks, Richard.

42 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

2/14/2019 03:10:44 pm

Thanks Richard,for all your supportive information,your wisdom and ability to highlight very specific aspects to the Zodiac case.

Are you keeping the site up,so that your readers can access all this valuable information ?

I hope so.

With regard to your ''realms of fantasy'',I intend,nevertheless,to try to persuade the Zodiac,to give himself up...again...in the near future.

I tried this,through a ''fourth party.'' ,about three years ago.But,he's a stubborn man,and eventually I receive a reply,to the effect that,he would ''sue my ass''.

I responded with....that he was welcome to try.

But,with a possible subliminal message sent,through the publication of the 2001 New Years Card....there might be a chance.

I digress....hope you enjoy a break from this ''phenomenon'',that is the Zodiac.

And return,refreshed for battle.

Lori F

2/16/2019 09:35:01 am

Hey Rubislaw, I would love to engage with you in a conversation about your suspect. Richard has my email address, so if you would be ok in opening a conversation with me, please ask Richard for my address and shoot me an email. I enjoy your insights and comments!

Rubislaw 32 link

2/16/2019 11:48:12 am

Well,that is certainly a generous gesture of you,Lori F,and ''thank you''.

If Richard is fine with this,it sounds good to me.

''Zodiac'' really is a ''sandwich short of a picnic'',but you would never know,to meet him for the first time.

I have learned a lot more about him,from Richard's site.

art

2/14/2019 03:18:44 pm

Thank you Richard for the truly excellent articles and insight you have provided. I will very much miss your contributions!

KayElleSF

2/14/2019 03:54:57 pm

Totally understandable, Richard. Thanks for all the amazing insights you've poured into Ciphers. Enjoy your break and have a few pints for me while your offline.

Drew

2/14/2019 05:31:27 pm

Take care Richard! You're a great researcher, a fine writer, a very patient moderator, and a darn good man. I wish you all the best friend!
cheers

blue

2/14/2019 06:09:06 pm

Richard
Leaving us on D-Day
You are brilliant
Happy Valentine's Day
Thank You Sincerely

MJOW

2/14/2019 07:47:50 pm

He's right, I look at this page each night to see new ideas or fresh approaches to solving this case. Richard comes up with some of the best concepts however. Everyone who could put Z away is dead from Toschi, Barwart, and even Spinelli if you believe his story, which I do. The DNA promised back in May of 18 never arrived. Not sure why I get so into this case, maybe it's because it's unsolvable. Kind of like the 340, which I believe to be a phony cipher meant to keep us guessing so many years later. The newspapers did what they do best even back then, along with many books, which is to add exciting details which never happened or other media that clouded the truth and facts. Zodiac got away. I want to think it was Allen, I know many of you do too. But just before I drift off ( I read to go to sleep), I have that doubt.

Tahoe27

2/14/2019 07:55:35 pm

Breaks are good. It's nice to get away and re-charge. Enjoy your time off.

Judith

2/14/2019 09:46:24 pm

Thank you Richard. I have reason to believe this will be solved soon through DNA. So it is best now not to speculate or get into a lot of conjecture. First let's see who killed Nancy Bennallack. Those results should be forthcoming. Something considered Zodiac DNA was submitted in late December. We're almost there.

Sully link

2/14/2019 11:35:27 pm

Thanks for all your wisdom, ENERGY and exhaustive research. You set the high bar MILES ABOVE any/all other Z websites!!!
A WELL DESERVED REST TO YOU SIR 🔎

Marty

2/15/2019 12:26:52 am

I've been reading this site since few years (but this is my first comment), and I want you to know that's my favourite site about Zodiac Case. Thank you very much for your huge effort. I will patiently wait for any news from you. Once again - big thanks!

Richard

2/15/2019 01:07:19 am

As always your kind comments are very much appreciated. A big thanks, Richard.

Jeff

2/15/2019 01:23:24 pm

Appreciate all the effort you put into this site, but a break is quite understandable give the reasons you mentioned. Cheers!

Toots

2/15/2019 04:58:23 pm

Richard,
Just when it's starting to heat up!! This case will be solved in less than 2 months.

Thanks for all the time and effort you've made to this case.

Tom1

2/16/2019 06:09:52 am

Richard, thanks so much for everything you have done. I am on the site everyday trying to learn as much as I can. You have done a masterfull job of maintaining a level of objectivity and civility on your site.

Lori F

2/16/2019 09:31:25 am

Richard, I found your site just a little over 2 years ago when I was looking for information about the Zodiac. Truly your site is heads above any others out there. Every day I look forward to reading your posts and the comments of your contributors.

Please take care and enjoy your break. I do hope however that one day you will return. Thank you so much for all you have done.

Tom1

2/17/2019 07:10:11 am

Solutions are most often found during periods of down time, when the mind is not actively pursuing an answer to a problem. Kind of like finding a misplaced item by pure chance, when not consciously searching for it. Enjoy you well deserved "coffee" break.

My Name Is Mine

2/17/2019 06:09:22 pm

Thank you for providing a stimulating and lively platform for the discussion of the Zodiac case. The topics are always interesting and informative.

As you say, Richard, it is difficult to not get stuck on repeat with this demented old case. It is good to take a break once and a while and then come back to it with a clear mind. After a break, things that did not seem remotely relevant at the time, or were lost in the muddle of confusion, suddenly stand out and become clear.

To say the Zodiac case had fundamental problems from its infancy would be a massive understatement. I have come across some of the most shoddy police work and reporting that I have ever seen in this case. There were just so many stupid things done, like why would you allow a ranger to gather up the evidence from a crime scene? Why would a police department allow a high ranking member to store Zodiac evidence in their own garage? Why should evidence have simply gone missing over the years?

It is actually no surprise to me that the Zodiac was never caught. The way he manipulated the system and operated across jurisdictions suggests "cunning" to me, and a knowledge of how the police and judicial system of that time worked. It almost appears that this person, either by intelligence or sheer dumb luck, worked between counties which were historically at odds with one another, thus hindering any chances of a quick resolution in the case. It is as if the Zodiac was using a broken system to his advantage. Perhaps the culprit also knew that the more time that goes by due to such bureaucratic "fiddling and farting around", the less likely it would be that he would ever be caught?

The FBI did little to tie the pieces together and once we get into the "hoaxer and confessor" period, about all they did was add further confusion to the case. Added to this was the embarrassing Toschi letter writing scandal. The fate of the Zodiac case was to become a "no go" zone for most detectives who valued their reputations. We are now at a sorry stage where DNA has become the only "word" that law enforcement will trust, as if it must be "final solution" or the "be all to end all". We have not been left with any Plan B apart from "Case closed!"

To my mind the key evidence is perhaps not in the prints or the DNA but the modus operandi, and the rope used at Lake Berryessa. By determining the way in which those ropes were tied, and the lengths of cut pieces, much detail can be gleaned about a killer. This thing is, serial killers frequently tie their knots in the same way, time after time. We can be almost certain that for the Lake Berryessa killer this was not the first time he had ever tied somebody up. There could be links to other serious crimes in other states, and if so, the ropes will be the key.

But alas, the ropes were plastic cord and were untied by the victims at Lake Berryessa. Still, I wonder if a forensics expert was ever called in by either Vallejo PD or the FBI to examine those cords carefully under a microscope, in order to determine if the tying methods could be replicated? I suspect not. Plastic does have a certain amount of elasticity and therefore "memory" relating to stretching and kinking, but one wonders, after so many years of being carefully wound up inside an evidence bag, would any of this evidence remain?

So many things were NOT done in this case that should have been done, and so many things were botched IMHO.

As for Riverside, I still maintain that there is little hope for closure on the Cheri Jo Bates case, considering this is the same jurisdiction that refused to prosecute anyone over the Friendly Murders, even when there was sufficient evidence to do so! The case should have been taken over by a higher State or Federal authority, but some kind of bungling or corruption inevitably entered the equation at some point, thus stonewalling the case and stopping it from ever progressing forward.

Monarch link

2/18/2019 08:42:02 am

I'm Sorry to hear you are getting burned out on this case Richard, I've
always looked forward reading your intelligent and thought provoking articles. I hope you'll stay active on the ZKS.com forum and thanks for all of your hard work and research !

Monarch

Rubislaw 32 link

2/20/2019 11:07:48 pm

Hey Richard....before you take your well earned rest,you might like to check out,the ''Something new ?'' thread,at ''zodiackiller,com'' [?].

Someone has finally managed to translate the Mandarin symbols,on the ''Greetings from Ireland'' card.Most ''intriguing'',in light of what as recently been discussed,in the ''Will-I-am the murderer'' topic.

Not lost on me,since I was the first person,whom the '' Balloon Captain'' sent the card to,two years ago.And,the only person that the ''Balloon Captain'' has corresponded,with....''once'',in the form of an apology.

Since,the card has been ''re-introduced'' again,recently,and with perhaps,the 50th anniversary of LHR [?].in mind....then,further intrigue.

Not least,that there is an ''Aquarius'' sign.

There used to an old [homophobic] joke,about Gay people introducing themselves,with '' I'm Aquarius ''...with the ''hidden'' camp way of saying ''queer''.

Not least,further puerile innuendo,in that Aquarius is ruled by the planet '' Uranus ''.

Just a thought,anyway.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/21/2019 12:15:55 am

To further add..if of any interest to your readers :

''Balloon Captain 66'' referred to me,first,as ''John''.It is my second name.And,he sent the card on October 31st 2016.

Since St.Patrick's Day is on March 17th...and his ''My name is ---'' cipher solution,contained plain text that did not have exclusivity of substitution,I initially took the card to be a hoax.

But I asked ''Balloon Captain 66'' to return,to explain himself.

This is the reply that I received :

Hi Rubislaw 32.

I apologize,I thought yesterday's date was significant.I must be mistaken.

I have provided all the information necessary to unlock many large aspects to the puzzle.

He was,and is very clever and I find it amusing that so many people are convinced of the guilt of a handful of imbeciles.

That being said,I'm not holding anyone's hand.I'd like to see him turn himself in.His web is twisted,but not impenetrable.

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

''Balloon Captain 66'' left his ''calling card'',as www.skyandtelescope.com

It is an astronomy site.

I have noticed,now,certain ''parallels'' between his ''imperfect'' solution to the ''My name is ---'' cipher,and '' Z38 '',which I have down,as a diatribe of abuse,pointing at Bill Grant.

In addition,perhaps a minor point is,that ''Zodiac'' backwards,is ''Caid oz''.In Arabic,this means '' Captain Oz ''.

Is '' Balloon Captain 66 '', '' Captain Oz '' ?

Who knows [?].I thanked him,for returning,though,and offered that he join Ricardo Gomez's site,as a member.

Voice of Reason

2/22/2019 04:45:20 pm

Is that reply from ''Balloon Captain 66'' the actual reply you received, not edited or altered in any way?

Rubislaw 32 link

2/21/2019 01:32:19 am

Crikey....October 31st is Halloween.

I think I need a break,too,Richard.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/21/2019 01:38:57 am

....and the ''66'' of ''Balloon Captain 66 ''.

He sent the card to me on the 50th anniversary of the murder of Cheri Jo Bates's murder.

I think I had better have stiff drink,and a lie down [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

2/21/2019 01:50:07 am

Ah...I note now,that he [?] posted the card,again,on January 10th 2018,with no comments,but using the name ''Special Friend''.

Then,in this December,last,a poster using the name ''Curiouser & Curiouser'' sent some comments of appraisal.

I have asked ''Curiouser & Curiouser'' to return to Ricardo's site,to discuss this further.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/21/2019 02:18:51 am

Well....as you might have noted,I can't get the words out fast enough.

Perhaps this is my ''Lyndon Lafferty'' moment [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

2/21/2019 02:32:33 am

Yes...it could be a case of ''when the penny drops''.

I see that ''Curiouser & Curiouser'' finishes,with :

There is a lot to be inferred from the Chinese characters,but I don't speak or read Chinese.If anyone knows someone who can,you should invite them to this forum,because this shouldn't be ignored.
The St.Patrick's card is clearly not a joke.

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

Perhaps there is a part of the Zodiac,that wants to be found out ?

KayElleSF

2/21/2019 01:39:40 pm

Rubi, thanks for sharing all of this! The term "imbecile" (a somewhat uncommon word nowadays) was used in the bathroom graffiti at Diablo Valley College as well.

One of the Chinese symbols on the Balloon card was translated to mean"pilot" which, again, is a running theme with respect to Zodiac.

Very strange and quite mysterious.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/21/2019 02:28:58 pm

Thanks for your feedback,KayElleSF.

When Kevin Fagan published the ''2001 New Years Card'',two months ago,it appeared to have been the only ''possible'' Zodiac correspondence,to have emerged,since the two 1988 New Canaan letters,almost four years ago.

But now,the ''Greetings from Ireland'' card,that I received,two and a half years ago,enters the fray,as another possible candidate.

A big difference,perhaps,is that the ''Greetings from Ireland'' card,is contemporary,to the time that it was sent [ October 2016 ].

Whether genuine ''Zodiac'' or not,at least it highlights a possibility,and demands further scrutiny [?].

Not least, '' Po Hai Zhe '',which means '' Persecutor '',in Mandarin.

Something to keep some of us occupied,until the authorities make up their minds,on how to proceed further,with case [?].

KayElleSF

2/21/2019 04:41:47 pm

Rubi, where can I view the Kevin Fagan 2001 New Years card? Cant seem to locate it. Thank you.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/22/2019 12:49:28 am

The 2001 New Years Card can be viewed at zodiackillersite on the first page of '' all other unconfirmed correspondence'',KayElleSF.

Or,just through the SF Chronicle,itself,for December 14th 2018.

What is all too apparent,is.that the actual signature for the writing,within the card...has been denied,from the public.

In addition,the address on the envelope,indicates that there may be more than one correspondence,within.

KayElleSF

2/22/2019 03:23:11 am

Thanks, Rubi!

Holy Baloney Batman!

2/21/2019 04:35:12 pm

Ummm, Rubislaw, are you trying to tell us that you have formed a correspondence with the Zodiac and he is sending you greeting cards from Ireland?

Toby

2/21/2019 04:55:10 pm

It seems that, one way or the other, they'll be coming to take somebody away any day soon, but my guess is it probably won't be the Zodiac. Cheers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzHtm1jhL4

Rubislaw 32 link

2/21/2019 07:13:42 pm

I see that at '' zodiackiller.com '',that someone has traced the origins,of the ''Greetings from Ireland'' depiction,to a 1939 postcard,from Canada.

Looking back,to when I received the card,in October 2016,another of my reasons,for believing to be a hoax,was that,at the time,a brewery and Betting company,were using the depiction,as the basis for an internet advertisement.

I believe it was ''Guinness'' and ''Bet 365''...but I can't be certain,on memory.

I think that the point is,is that whoever employed the ''Greetings from Ireland'' card,as a basis for modification,with Zodiac-like clues,didn't have to look very far,to find the card as a suitable candidate....for the graphics modification required.

If anyone wishes to read the comments of the poster,''Curiouser & Curiouser'',in full...then the following reference :

zodiackillermystery.freeforums.net

The Ciphers section.

Thread : '' Look What Eye Found ''

BlaiseStarr

2/22/2019 01:25:11 pm

HI, I'm the one who found the original card with a reverse image search in google. The posting on ebay where I found the card was the only image that had come up. I was not able to find the original image anywhere else.

Voice of Reason

2/21/2019 11:44:21 pm

IMHO, this is a hoax.

Rubislaw appears to have been specifically targeted, because of his belief that many of the non-confirmed Zodiac letters may have been real. Someone has gone through his online views on Zodiac to find specific things with which to bait him.

What do we see on that Photo-shopped card?

Chinese whispers (actually written in Chinese no less!).

Cryptic and puzzling relationships with symbols and numbers, dot points and crests, some of which hearken back to old Zodiac letters and ciphers.

Goose Chase for a solution.

OGR = "Old Guy Rambling/Ranting".

An Irish leprechaun.

A rainbow (subliminal reference to a pot of gold).

Cryptic artwork.

A Zodiac/UK connection.

Then a forum guest called Curiouser and Curiouser makes a "surprise post" claiming to be a data analyst, and follows up with a theory that this may in fact be a genuine communication. The trap is set.

Why would anybody waste any time on this? It is goofy Alice in Wonderland nonsense!

Rubislaw 32 link

2/22/2019 12:58:29 am

If there was a ''trap set'',then I haven't fallen for it,and remain open viewed about the card.

Much of the card remains mystifying to me.But,the translation of the Chinese symbols,now,certainly adds to attempting to understand the card,and the possible nature of its origins.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/22/2019 02:42:17 am

Yes,Voice of Reason,your ''UK connection'' observation does seem to hold pertinence.UK/Irish,anyway.

Whether Zodiac,or a hoaxer,it seems that the card has emanated,from UK/Ireland [?].

Also,I was surprised that ''Balloon Captain 66'' got back to me,and was apologetic.Also,forthright views on ''The Usual Suspects''.

Then,more than a year on,''Special Friend'' pushes the card under my nose,again.

Then,almost another year on,''Curiouser & Curiouser'' posts an appraisal that,let's face it,bores one into submission,with its ''lengthy'' and barely understandable ''spiel''.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/22/2019 11:55:12 am

On a general assessment...it would not be inaccurate to observe that,''we'' can now accept that an ''unconfirmed'' Zodiac correspondence has emerged,on each of the occasions of the 50th anniversaries of both Cheri Jo Bates and Faraday/Jensen murders.

Clearly,differences in circumstances...with the ''Greetings from Ireland'' card ''directed'' at the Zodiac internet community.And,the ''2001 New Years Card'',at the general public.

Out of the two,the ''2001 New Years Card'' appears to be more persuasive,since it must have emanated from ''official'' channels of Law Enforcement.

Sadly,the lack of ''re-enforced'' information,and apparently not ''forthcoming'' from Mr.Fagan,indicates that the public will no longer find a friend in the press....as we might have done,in the past,with investigative journalists,like Paul Avery.

So,what of the future,while or if,no one is apprehended or exposed,as responsible,for any of the Zodiac's perceived crimes ?

Well,given recent discussions over the two cards,in question....then,''next'' on the agenda,is likely to be July 4th of this year,and the 50th anniversary of the murder of Darlene Ferrin.

Who knows,what that might hold ?

And,as an additional thought,it is possible that ''hoaxing'' of correspondences,Zodiac related,might turn into an internet ''sport'',with such a large,and immediate audience ''primed''.

Zodiac could quite easily be,as ''young'' as 75,if still alive.If no real indications of a resolve to this case,come from official law enforcement,then....

A possible 10 year window of opportunity,opens up,for a hoaxing ''open season''.

Voice of Reason

2/22/2019 02:21:34 pm

"Whether Zodiac, or a hoaxer"?

The very fact that people are even contemplating that the Zodiac is communicating with them, from Ireland no less, tells me the trap was sprung a long time ago. Perhaps fish dangling on a hook is a more accurate analogy?

Maybe your Zodiac is a humble Irish shoemaker? Somehow I think he is a fairy sprite i.e. does not exist except to the heavily intoxicated.

Really, some people would believe anything.

OGR = "Old Geezer Rambling". This says it all for me. Clever in-joke, "if ever there be one"... but really, I've seen enough. Clearly some prankster is just jerking your chain.

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TAKING A BREAK

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