THE 1988 NEW CANAAN LETTERS

8/22/2020

The Zodiac Killer FBI files featured two multi-paged letters, mailed on April 13th 1988 and April 21st 1988 from Stamford, Connecticut. Zodiac researcher, Michael Morford described an anonymous email he received concerning the Stamford communications: "The letters that came from New Haven, CT were from a 17 year old emotionally disturbed genius, He wrote Zodiac symbols on the chalkboard to scare a Girl. He also wrote a graphic letter of how he was going to kill her. The FBI came into town, caught him, and he was sent to Residential counseling". However, the envelopes were postmarked Stamford, Connecticut, 36 miles west of New Haven. The city of Stamford, Connecticut, on the other hand, is just 6 miles south of New Canaan High School.

The nearest other outlier Zodiac communication we can place in the proximity of New Canaan High School is based around the Atlanta Child murders, in which the author wrote a short note stating "Please stop forced bussing or I will kill 3 more black boys in Atlanta in March". This was a business reply envelope postmarked Cleveland, OH, March 2nd 1981, bearing the press printed address "The Danbury Mint, Richards Avenue, P.O. Box 5260, Norwalk, Conn". The Danbury Mint at 47 Richards Avenue in the city of Norwalk, Connecticut is just 3.28 miles from New Canaan High School

In order to discover the possible 17-year-old responsible for the two 1988 Stamford communications, we can look for 18-year-old graduates in high school yearbooks. The only clues in the Stamford communications were the two decoded cryptograms that mentioned a Shauna (twice) and Missus Taylor. One section read "Shauna, if you wish to know my identity you will have to put some effort into it, not fiddle and fart around. Here is a clue as Missus Taylor. If she remembers who draws the symbol then you will have me". In the 1989 New Canaan High School yearbook, we have the extremely uncommon name of "Shauna" in the name Shauna McCarthy, and "Missus Taylor" in the name Christa Taylor, thereby corroborating the notion of "he wrote Zodiac symbols on the chalkboard to scare a girl". However, if this individual was a disturbed genius, then it would be rather foolish to provide two names that linked back to a classroom he attended, contained within envelopes that bore the address New Canaan. The alternative, is it was somebody who wanted us to believe it was some unhinged 17-year-old teenager writing the Stamford communications. The only viable connection to this classroom with respect to a more plausible Zodiac communication, is the press printed 1981 envelope carrying the Danbury Mint address, just 3.28 miles south of the New Canaan High School.

Over half of the Danbury Mint's profits support mental health research. The Stanley Family Foundation is the majority shareholder of the company. This charitable organization funds research that would reduce the burden of serious mental illness. Top scientists in the field of genetics, stem cell biology and neurobiology rely on funding from The Stanley Family Foundation to finance their research

A music or drama teacher would be quite an interesting proposition for a Zodiac Killer who cherished The Mikado.

42 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

8/22/2020 06:24:34 am

I have not made it any secret , Richard , that I believe that the two New Canaan Letters , dating from April 1988 , are the work of the Zodiac , in his further efforts to persecute George Webster , father of then '' still '' missing daughter Joan .

In laying out the solution to the Z263 cipher , presented in two parts , over the two letters , and actually supplied by the FBI's Cryptanalysis Unit , if one follows what they have typed , accompanying the letters , then one finds at least one piece of information , emerging on the central plain text column :

ARTGEOW

( Art George Webster ? )

OK-it's certainly not a '' clincher '' on that these are '' Dear George '' letters , but there are other possible '' hints '' aside from geographic and timeline '' persuasions '' .

The author of the letters ( Zodiac ? ) .has certainly got it in for a '' Shauna '' , and suggests that she has ideas above her station , in taking a leading role , in an obvious choral or similar collective scenario .

So , who might this '' Shauna '' be ?

Well , with the world famous amateur and professional combined '' Greenwich Choral Society '' based right next door to Stamford , it may be a woman of mature years , which leads to the possibility of George Webster's mistress whom , may also have been the posting recipient of the New Canaan Letters , that were actually addressed to George ( ? ) .

A double whammy of embarrassment perhaps , for Joan Webster's father .

An alternative may be to touch an even rawer nerve , in reminding George of his long missing daughter .

Joan Webster was known for her great fondness for involving herself in choirs , going back to a child . '' Shauna '' is Irish Gaelic for the Hebrew name '' Joan '' . It is always possible that Joan's perpetrator is responsible for these letters ( ...be it the Zodiac , or someone else...) , and is having a further dig at George , divulging that he , Joan's murderer knew that Joan was a keen singer , but not actually that good .

Richard

8/22/2020 07:15:23 am

I know where you stand Rubislaw. I'm the polar opposite on this one. I think the author will probably be found at that school in 1988. Whether student or adult. But I did find the proximity of the school to Danbury Mint quite interesting. The writing has always looked extremely childish in nature to me, but I always think it's worth digging deeper. Maybe others can offer their thoughts.

Richard

8/22/2020 02:05:01 pm

Just for an extra bit of information, the New Canaan Advertiser newspaper is 1.4 miles from the school, if this is where the communications were mailed.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/22/2020 07:30:55 pm

Ditto on the Danbury Mint , Richard , and nice spot .

'' Over the piece '' of the case of the Zodiac Killer , I believe that we observe his predilection to miniature collectables . Be it commemorative coins , medals , postage stamps , model aircraft .

The Zodiac , I believe , liked to mix pleasure with the '' business '' of being a nasty piece of work . Wherever he travelled , there would be planned ahead , both good things and bad things to visit , and accomplish .

I don't believe also , that the Zodiac was one to take '' long vacations '' . He got to travel a lot , through the representative nature of the business , for which he selected . But , he would make sure that a three day business trip , for example , could be turned into a week away from his home-based employers .

And , not even having to make up excuses for his actual absenteeism to his wife ( ? ) and family .They just got used to the apparent nature of his work , and were not left unprovided for .

Essentially , the Zodiac did have the capacity for love and caring .

But , he was also a selfish c*nt .

Shawn

8/22/2020 09:57:20 am

“Michael Morford described an anonymous email he received concerning the Stamford communications”

It’s amazing how much morf was involved in the nitty gritty of the Zodiac case for years. Then poof, gone, does not post at his Zodiac killer site message board anymore. Not much involved in the Zodiac case anymore.pat all.

BTW...I am probably older than you.

I guess the grass is greener and there are more cold cases to examine in podcast world.

Richard

8/22/2020 10:49:10 am

Michael Morford unearthed a lot of good things, including redacted FBI files with numerous FOIA requests. I have nothing but great respect for Michael Morford, but as you said Shawn, albeit the occasional fleeting visit to his and Tom's forum, he has found a new pursuit with his Criminolgy podcasts. Everybody has a shelf life in the Zodiac case, some longer than others. I can confidently state I would have left years ago, if not for the website. It becomes like an old shoe. It is inevitable, whomever you are, the more you write on the Zodiac case, it will inevitably leave less to write about in the future. The thing that keeps us all going, is finding that golden nugget of information. When I recently went blank again, I decided to revamp every banner on every page to freshen things up, which I actually enjoy more than writing with a mouse. I very much doubt Michael will engage heavily in the forums again. I would have loved to have seen him create his own extensive website, with his own articles, but if he is enjoying doing his podcasts he may as well carry on. I wish him well.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/23/2020 12:45:40 am

The map work that you have presented , Richard , is great . What I think it illustrates , and all too clearly , that New Haven has nothing to do with anything , in this whole episode of two letters having emerged , with Stamford being the letters' last known physical source .

It seems all too obvious that the FBI have been lying over the New Haven link , from the start , and that this is actually a tale about Stamford and New Canaan , which is a relatively small area , for the purposes of investigation .

In the last 5 years , I have made about 20 approaches to law enforcement , in one way or another , and on both sides of the Atlantic . If memory serves me well , only on three occasions did law enforcement initiate approaches made to me , aside from the occasional '' Bobby on the beat '' visit (...and for no really known reason..) . But , with the three initiated approaches , off their own bats , one was specifically in relation to '' representations '' and questions that I had started to make to , and ask of a particular agency .

It was as if they had hoped to gag me , by believing that they were keeping me satisfied of my questions .

Of course ,it only made me more curious , and focus on the cipher riddle , in particular .

But really....the March 2nd 2015 letter to Eve Carson , sister-in-law to Joan Webster , from D.A. to Boston , Jonathan Blodgett , is the clincher , and how it fit into the prolonged saga over the Police Scotland Spying Scandal cover-up .

Mr.Morford was given the opportunity to join my investigation , surrounding the time proximity of his receiving of the New Canaan Letters ,in relation to Eve Carson's letter , and the Police Scotland Spying Scandal .

But Mr.Morford seemed not bothered nor interested , and the general public are still to see the complete contents of what Mr.Morford did receive , from that particular time period .

I simply remain surprised that he has not handed over all that he did receive , to a responsible person , such as yourself whom , would be happy to present the information , as one entity .( ? ) .

Richard

8/23/2020 02:43:20 am

I recently did an electronic FOIA request for a clear and visible SLA envelope. I found this time it was an easy process. Took me about 10 minutes. If you did a FOIA request for a redacted New Canaan envelope, thereby discovering the addressee, it could reveal so much about the identity of its sender. If it was Zodiac (which I personally don't believe), then I would suspect it was mailed to the New Canaan Advertiser - possibly the editor. If it was mailed to a personal address, this could be even more revealing. But what we do know is that Zodiac (or somebody pretending to be him) would overwhelmingly mail his communications to a newspaper, with the New Canaan Advertiser, New Canaan High School and Danbury Mint in a very small distance from one another. Because others won't agree on a link to Joan Webster, I am attempting to stay generic. But the proximity of the Joan Webster case in mileage, along with the outlier Santa Claus card, can draw the obvious desire to link the cases. That is the reason I am not looking beyond Canaan for the moment - and discovering the identity of the New Canaan author by securing a redacted version of the envelope would be crucial. Its redaction doesn't necessarily imply it's a persons name, as has been proved with other outlier Zodiac communications.

If this letter was Zodiac, then he chose this target for a reason. It's nailing down that reason that can lead to the identity. My guess, is the "Shauna" and "Taylor" link in a New Canaan school, one year adrift from the date of the letters is significant - and assuming that the FBI and law enforcement aren't the blundering fools they are frequently painted as - it really wouldn't be unsurprising that they discovered exactly the same as I did - by checking pupils in schools in the near vicinity to the mailings. The 17-year-old was described as a an emotionally disturbed genius. He may have had a screw loose, but he surely must have known (if he was that clever) it would be pretty routine police work to find him. Unless of course the author was that clever and created a patsy. I would approach the FBI with a FOIA request Rubislaw, because this is the only way we'll push this forward. Otherwise it'll just be another case of competing theories.

Nick, No Nora

9/20/2020 04:05:53 am

Presumably, you could track down "Shauna" and ask her about it.

Richard

9/20/2020 06:23:18 am

I suppose I could Nick, but whether they knew about the letters or activities of the writer isn't certain. I'm satisfied these are the women. Also, because I don't think these letters have anything to do with Zodiac, I am not that motivated to follow up.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/23/2020 01:44:35 am

Just as reminder to your readers , of the crucial element to the letter that Eve Carson received , from Jonathan Blodgett , then legal custodian for the case file of Joan Webster , on March 2nd 2015 :

'' As we then informed you , this office , in co-operation with other law enforcement agencies , had renewed the investigation into Ms.Webster's murder , prior to your request . This coincided with the renewal of investigations into other unsolved , and possibly connected murders from the same era .''

Eve Carson's lawyers were to find that Jonathan Blodgett was not referring to other unsolved murders , in the USA .

Then , where else was Jonathan Blodgett referring to ?

When eventually , Police Scotland acceded to requests from Scottish politicians that they allow an outside sourced senior policemen to investigate claims of illegal monitoring of e-mails , by senior Police Scotland officers , the man chosen was Chief Constable Mike Barton of Durham Constabulary .

Finally , and year later when Mike Barton was able to report on his findings to Scottish politicians , two quite surprising facts emerged :

i ) Chief Constable Mike Barton found that he had to downgrade his investigation , to an '' enquiry '' , on account of Police Scotland denying Mr.Barton complete access to e-mails .

ii ) Of particular note was , that it was specifically e-mails before March 4th 2015 , for which Mr.Barton was denied . March 4th 2015 was 48 hours following Jonathan Blodgett's March 2nd dated letter to Eve Carson . And , one week after the public announcement of a re-investigation into the July 14th 1978 murder of Brenda Page .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/23/2020 02:40:35 am

And further , if any of your readers remain interested , this was by no means the end of it , Richard .

At the very time that Mike Barton was able to start informing Scottish politicians of the surprising obstacles that had been placed in his way (...after all , Police Scotland were standing publicly adjudged to have broken the law ....) , moves started to be made , to hound Chief Constable Philip Gormley out of office , by incremental and weekly accusations of bullying in the workplace .

The assumption was made , was that this '' witch hunt '' was coming from politicians who , were assuming that Gormley was simply a '' bad lot '' for fending off attempts to get to the truth of matters , before March 4th 2015 .

But no , this was actually coming from the Crown Office who , were concerned that it would become apparent that they , the Crown Office , had been assisting Police Scotland in their cover-up of having broken the law .

One just couldn't make this stuff up - procrastination and prevarication on unimaginable scales of incredulity . But also , one should stop and think , perhaps , that the '' stakes '' must have been quite high , in the first place ( ? ) . But how high ?

And , it still remains the case that around that March time , Mr.Morford started receiving , or was about to start receiving leaked information from the FBI .

And , the general public are still not privy to it all .

Richard

8/23/2020 03:03:48 am

I have also been looking in depth at the Robert Graysmith book and available Zodiac information from the newspapers to determine if this individual had specific knowledge of wording in the genuine Zodiac communications that had never been previously published, but so far have failed to find any such examples of first hand knowledge. Everything this author wrote had long been widely available. The real Zodiac must have known this would have been a prerequisite for being taken seriously, as he did during his four canonical crimes. Regardless what I think, I always believe these outlier letters are worth looking at, as proved fruitful (in my opinion) with the 1987 letter. I once thought Zodiac had probably died in the early 1970s, something I would totally reject today. I think you and I, Rubislaw, both enjoy looking at these outlier letters much more than the regular ones, because there is so much more to be learnt from them, if indeed they can be shown to have good Zodiac provenance.

Richard

8/23/2020 03:41:34 am

New Canaan School is 808 metres from the Powerhouse Performing Arts Center. The Town Players of New Canaan was formed in 1946 with broad support in the town and with the financial backing of the Lion’s Club. For nearly four decades, auditions and rehearsals took place at Town Hall, and performances were given at churches and schools throughout New Canaan. In the early 1980’s, the Town Players of New Canaan proposed to the Town that it take over and renovate the abandoned Powerhouse in Waveny Park and transform it to a full-time community theater. The Town approved the proposal. The task of raising all the funds privately, restoring the Powerhouse, and converting it to a theatre was a monumental effort that involved hundreds of volunteers. The Powerhouse Performing Arts Center opened on March 18, 1983.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/23/2020 03:56:46 am

Certainly agreed on the philosophy over the outlier letters , Richard , and I think you are right to take a generic approach to the Joan Webster case .

There are certainly tantalising aspects to her case , and still could be the one where the Zodiac was both a perpetrator of murder , as well as a persecutor of Joan's family .

If the Zodiac had murdered Joan , it would seem to be the most foolish act of all , in pursuing her family after having murdered her . But one does feel that her case is one where we move up the scale into the '' High Society '' domain , on observation ( ? ) .

If the Zodiac felt that Joan had ultimately decided to reject him , on the basis of not being good enough for her , it may have really rattled his cage .

When it comes down to it , I think that the FBI released the New Canaan Letters for one main reason , and that is that they desired feed-back from the public over a solution to the riddle offered .

Although I don't believe the '' 17 year old genius '' story , it's very difficult to settle on a definitive reason beyond their desire for a solution to the cipher's riddle .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/23/2020 10:13:05 pm

The envelope with the Danbury address , at Norwalk , Conn. was employed , about 9 months before the disappearance of Joan Webster ( Logan Airport , Boston ) .

'' Man in the area ( Zodiac ? ) ''.

A haunting thought to digest .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/23/2020 10:27:42 pm

Joan Websters remains found at Hamilton MA , April 1990 .

Eight and a half years after her disappearance . It is believed that whoever concealed her body , returned on a few occasions to replenish a woodpile with fresh wood , presumably to ensure that her body remained concealed .

But possibly also a ritualistic act of some sort , in addition ?

That , perhaps her remains remained in tact , from scavenging creatures , like foxes .

Did this act continually draw Joan's perpetrator to that general area ( ? ) . Or , was he a relative local to the area , all along ?

Rubislaw 32 link

8/23/2020 11:11:14 pm

If the person that mailed the two April 1988 New Canaan letters , in the vicinity of Stamford , was a genuine outsider , paying a visit to the area , then Newark Airport , at 40 miles away , is closest realistic access to the area .

Was he '' just '' a motorist , or '' Airport & Car Hire '' visitor , if not relatively local , to the area ?

Richard

8/24/2020 01:38:31 am

That is extremely possible. He could have been a traveling salesman or had business in the area. Why, if any connection at all, would you use a "business reply envelope" from Danbury, but postmark it from Cleveland. Most use plain envelopes. What are you attempting to achieve by using such an envelope? Throwing off investigators? Trying to focus the investigation down obvious lines?

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 03:09:33 am

Interesting to consider those who are want to do it , Richard .

I remember reading an article from the FBI themselves , about some of the habits of compulsive hoaxers which , includes constant petty thievery of commercialised stationery . Of '' throwing off the scent '' perceived value ( ? ).

'' I have cheap sets in closets , all over .'' - July 14th 1978 .

'' All over '' is the key , one presumes .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 03:55:52 am

....and that was the extra dig at Toschi ( ? ) , that I had previously not realised .

The reference to '' cheap sets '' also suggests that the Zodiac was inferring that , as a serial killer , he steals jewellery from his victims .

That , in effect , there might be a way of Toschi finding himself back in '' Homicide '' , if Toschi happened to come across jewellery , in his new job , that could be linked to a victim of murder .

Zodiac knew how to bitch , when pushed .

Richard

8/24/2020 05:35:26 am

Talking of roaming Rubislaw, Sandy told me that there is an article about Pam Huckaby in the Orange County Register on October 28th 1986 pertaining to threats she believes were from Zodiac. The exact day that Zodiac mailed the 1987 letter. Highly unusual timing.

I have by the way found the inspiration for the July 19th 1978 letter in a newspaper just prior (I believe five days earlier) in an article entitled "New Zodiac Disclosures". David Toschi recalls investigators coming round his house with a tape recorder and taping his conversation with them. Zodiac then uses the phrase "I have my real name on a small metallic tape". Also in the article it states "As Toschi talked nervously and rapidly, skipping from subject to subject like a man that has too much feeling inside him to control or regulate, he never mentioned any of the other 100 homicide investigations in which he participated". Zodiac wrote "I am in control" twice. The article on many occasions alluded to Toschi using fake, fictitious and phony names in three letters to Armistead Maupin. Zodiac explicitly used the words "I have my real name on tape". He clearly read this article.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bx2ZxPLdifaoVWMxUzIxbkItSzg/edit

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 07:02:44 am

I have great admiration for Pam Huckaby , Richard , and it would seem that Pam looked up to sister Darlene , as her mentor , and therefore it is little surprise that she has displayed behaviour of having hurt the most , over Darlene's death .

I believe that her behaviour has been a combination of truth , being subjected to hoaxers , and being unwisely guided and advised by various agencies , both linked to the media and law enforcement .

'' Pushed and pulled in every direction '' might be an apt description ( ? ) . And , law enforcement should hang their heads in shame over an individual , such as Pam who , is a prime example of what can happen to a bereaved of victim , if that person is served badly , by those public servants that are supposed to care , and make good their obligation to deliver justice .

I am sure that , as time went by , the Zodiac would have been aware of Pam's plight and public hurt , and may well have enjoyed turning the screw , on occasion .

'' Well , you should see Polythene Pam...'' ( ? ) - Abbey Road .

Very interested to hear about this '' New Zodiac Disclosures '' article .The more one looks at compulsive hoaxers and small-time extortionists , like the Zodiac appears to be , the more one is persuaded that he employed taped messages , as well as phone calls and various types of letters , as part of his '' weaponry '' of persecution .

I will certainly take in more , what you have mentioned , Richard . Trying to figure out what the Zodiac did actually know , before he put pen to paper , is always a help .

I think that 1987 was a big year for the Zodiac , with the successful public consumption , in paperback form , of Graysmith's '' Zodiac ''.

Thereafter , the Zodiac would always know that he was now '' infamous '' , which probably gave him an extra spring in his step .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 01:48:06 pm

The article must surely add to the perceived authenticity of that July 19th 1978 letter , Richard ?

But , of course , no one official is going to tell us .

I have little doubt that the letter is , based on its clever composition .

What we have seen is claims from Napa P D that some news , related to the Zodiac case , was about to break , at the beginning of this year . Then , nothing appeared to have break .

But , is that strictly true (..that nothing did break...) ?

The question is , whether Brenda Page's '' apparent '' conclusion to a 5 year murder re-investigation , in March of this year , and a '' Scottish '' murder , that took place 5 days before the presumed Zodiac's July 19th 1978 letter , counts as '' Zodiac news '' ( ? ) .

If it is the case that it does , then it suggests that a '' basket '' of cases that might be Zodiac related , were agreed upon , in early 2015 , at the latest , with the Crown Office , in Edinburgh , being at least one agency involved in the decision making of the cases , for which to focus . And , more than probably , the Joan Webster case being another one .

This is the essence of what I have been claiming , and recorded in a diary thread , at zodiackillermystery.freeforums.net , with the assistance of Ricardo Gomez .

Richard

8/24/2020 02:51:11 pm

There were 6 articles from July 11th to July 18th 1978, including one featuring Diane Feinstein. Then we get the July 19th 1978 letter. It is fairly obvious this letter was triggered by one, several or all of these newspaper articles. Zodiac was triggered by certain sections of text in these articles, dropping them into his writings with his cryptic warped language. Or a hoaxer - take your pick. It's really difficult to prove this letter as Zodiac, other than comparing it to the other 1978 letters. The stamp lineage tends to link them, but we still need that decisive bit of evidence.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 11:49:25 pm

Sandy Betts posting January 24th 2020 :

The ( Napa Sheriff Dept. ) call was to inform me that there may be a break in the Zodiac case .

Aberdeen Evening Express , March 19th 2020 :

Christopher Harrison , 79 , appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court , facing a single charge of the murder of Brenda Page , July 14th 1978 .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/25/2020 12:34:09 am

Since , in the wake of Brenda Page's murder , a description of the murder weapon being a metallic object of approximately 3/4 of an inch across , was offered up , by a pathologist , based on the injuries that Ms.Page sustained....

Then, the assumption was that Ms.Page's perpetrator had removed the murder weapon , along with other belongings , in a duffle bag , from the crime scene .

But , its possible that the Zodiac , in his July 19th 1978 , had simply guessed correctly that the murder weapon had been left behind .

Whether the murder weapon was left behind or not , by accident , the public still , and 42 years later , don't know the answer .

But , the possibility of the Zodiac even making an accidentally accurate reference to the Brenda Page murder , could have been why it was decided to re-investigate her murder , as being a possible Zodiac one .

I had offered investigating police that the murder weapon was a brass desk ruler , with reference to '' measuring tape '' .

But , of course , I don't actually know the answer .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 02:58:32 pm

Always something more to be learned ?

Simply as a thought , what are the chances of the apparent July 19th 1978 letter , actually having been the solution to a cipher , that the Zodiac created , for his perceived idea that it would create more publicity ?

In addition , the Zodiac may have realised that any Zodiac claimed letter , at that time , might be either overlooked , or discarded as a hoax , almost out of hand . So he creates another cipher , instead . But he doesn't want to make it too difficult , so he goes back to the reasons why his 408 cipher was ( largely ) solved so quickly - the incidence of repeating words or phrases .

The July 19th 1978 '' letter '' starts and concludes with the same phrase : '' I am the Zodiac and I am in control '' .

Just on initial inspection , there are contained : 6 am's ; 4 have's ; 4 tapes ; 2 know's ; 2 like's .

In addition there is one word , '' Athletic '' , that has never sat well in context . And should be '' Aquatic '' , so I believe .

That could be the reason why the July 19th 1978 letter never surfaced , until Graysmith's second book '' Zodiac Unmasked '' .

Actually a cipher solution , finally handed over to Robert Graysmith , as a '' leaking gift '' . Something extra , from the FBI's counter-intelligence - just to annoy the Zodiac , many years later .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 04:45:08 pm

Just on initial investigation , the presumed Zodiac's July 19th 1978 letter , could be a cipher solution of 487 characters .

i.e. a cipher with 31 rows of 17 columns .

As presented , '' Z148 '' is not evident , in its presentation , as to its ( presumable ) original grid dimensions . Coupled with further writing beyond the displayed , I believe it to have originally been conceived as the Zodiac's second '' 340 '', but the Zodiac elected to '' check out '' on further cipher text , after 148 characters of cipher text presented .
Hence , we could be looking at the Zodiac's original planning as :

July 1969 : Z408 ( 24R X 17C )

November 1969 : Z340 ( 20R X 17C )

May 1971 : Z340 ( 20R X 17C )

July 1978 : Z487 ( 31R X 17C )

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

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 09:51:13 pm

Another alternative figurative medium , for the July 19th 1978 letter , as a conventionally typed letter ?

If it was a genuine letter , one feels that it had to have some gimmick attached to it , for it to stand out from the '' crowd '' of possible letter hoaxes , given the wake of the Toschi Fan Mail scandal .

What could that be , apart from a return to a cipher ?

The '' clue '' , if you will , might be in the expression :

'' I am the Zodiac and I am in control ''.

This expression is identical starting and finishing the July 19th letter .
Perhaps it is the case that the Zodiac set out the letter , nonetheless in typed form , but using the '' I am the Zodiac and I am in control '' ,as a return back to the start of the letter - that the letter was set out , as a '' never ending loop '' .

The minimalist artist , Carl Andre , and also a poet , has set out some of his '' type text '' works , along these sorts of lines .

After having employed the compelling influence of Carl Andre , for the Zodiac's rectangular grid system ciphers , could the typed July 19th 1978 letter , actually be a case of a return to Carl Andre ?

Richard

8/25/2020 05:02:27 am

One also has to consider, why (if this was Zodiac) did he write two letters in 1978 and type the third. What purpose would Zodiac have for typing the Concerned Citizen card and July 19th letter, when he never once performed this action in between. One could argue you have something to hide. It is not that difficult to quickly scrawl a letter using handwriting indistinguishable from your normal writing. So why go to the effort of typing a letter, which clearly requires more effort and could possibly leave identifying features related to that typewriter.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/25/2020 06:17:02 am

Interesting point , Richard .

It seems that he may have '' resorted '' to the typewriter , at times that he felt troubled , and desired to be taken seriously .

With '' Concerned Citizen '' a desperation to rectify the perceived '' mess '' that the Hardens had made of his solution , with the '' too plentiful '' spelling errors . The Zodiac's own fault , of course , for having deployed 8 polyphonic characters , when the Zodiac was far from being an experienced cipher maker .

With the July 19th 1978 letter , possibly '' that '' knowledge that there would probably be a wave of hoaxers , following the Fan Mail scandal and its consequences of public trust , in doubt . The Zodiac might feel that , either his letter should look '' business like '' , or something along the lines of an attempt at presenting the letter , similar to a Carl Andre '' typed texture '' work of Art .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/25/2020 06:42:59 am

It's funny , really....I suspect that at that 1969 , the Zodiac was aware that his ( probable ) one and only typewriter , was producing a dodgy '' a '' , so he was holding off , from using it . But the Hardens 408 solution publication sent the Zodiac into a spin of self-embarrassment and annoyance .

So - '' needs must ''.

This , at least presents the possibility that , a need to type a short message on the Santa Claus card , circa early 1982 , saw the Zodiac having to resort to using that '' old typewriter '' with the dodgy '' a '' , again .

Suggesting that the Zodiac was '' outside '' his own family home , at the time and , probably retrieving the typewriter from his parent's home ( ? ) .

Wherever his parent's home might be .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/24/2020 10:48:26 pm

....and , if I might just add , where do we see another example of the Zodiac starting and finishing a message , with identical words ?

The answer being , the 1990 Celebrity Cypher :

XXXXX (5)
XXXXXXXX (8)

One begins to realise that the FBI's Cryptanalysis Unit must have been tearing their hair out , at a solution to that cipher ( ? ) .

And , for 16 years .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/25/2020 04:50:21 pm

Control and reclamation is the key ?

'' Zodiac Unmasked '' was published 2002 , and the public was first privy to the July 19th 1978 letter , that started and finished :

'' I am the Zodiac and I am in control of all things......Do you know me ? I am the Zodiac and I am in control , ''

In theory , the Flag / Totem Pole cipher could have been constructed at any time between 1991 and 1996 ( ...the FBI will know more accurately...) . The Flag/Totem Pole cipher solution was :

'' This is the Zodiac speaking . I am in control . Who masters be ready for more . Yours truly .''

So , whoever created the Flag/Totem Pole cipher , would not have been aware of the contents of the July 19th letter....UNLESS that person was the Zodiac .

In addition , the Zodiac had shown a predilection to the word control - particularly evident in the Melvin Belli letter of December 1969 where , he makes it quite plain on two occasions , his concern of losing it .

In the July 19th 1978 letter . the Zodiac attempts to reassert his position once again , finding it particularly difficult , in the wake of the Fan Mail scandal , with his April 24th 1978 letter coming under particular scrutiny , for authenticity .

For 1978 , the April 1978 , May 1978 ( channel 9 ) , and his '' reclamation '' July letter....were , I believe the very LEAST of his out put , in an attempt , that 1978 year , to re-engage as a potent terrorist called '' The Zodiac ''.

It didn't work out for him...and he probably returned to other guises , such as ones employed against Rev.Billy Graham ( St.Michael ? ) , and possible additional D B Cooper impersonations .

With the Flag/ Totem Pole cipher , I believe that we see the Zodiac attempting to re-claim his mantle , having witness Heriberto Seda temporarily take it from him . Understandable ( ? ) - but the Zodiac had no real reason to complain . Eddie Seda was actually killing people , whereas the Zodiac had only occasionally been '' arm's length '' terrorising , with pen and paper .

But , in 1978 and circa 1996 , the Zodiac had found himself in positions of wrestling to reassert himself , confronted by the repercussions of the Fan Mail scandal , and the New York Zodiac , respectively .

To reclaim his '' Control '' .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/26/2020 12:29:43 am

Just to get back on track , with this topic , specifically , Richard .

A nice spot , I think , on the New Canaan Advertiser which , could well have been the recipients of the April New Canaan letters , mailed from the vicinity of Stamford .

As a general observation , i think that the Zodiac was a fan of attending mass gatherings , and took a general , though not necessary avid interest in '' live performance '' , except perhaps a new film at the cinema and live stage shows at theatres .

So , the odd football or baseball match , or even attending a Billy Graham rally , would have not been beyond his scope of attraction .

Perhaps it is the case that a recitation , by the '' Greenwich Choral Society '' was something that was included ( ? ) , given the composition content of the Z263 cipher .

Zodiac regular contributor , Toots , has asked Eve Carson about whether George Webster had a mistress . Eve Carson has said that she never met one , but was confident that George was a '' player ''.

'' Shauna '' will remain a mystery for now . But , could still be a reference to Joan Webster herself . '' Shauna '' being the Irish equivalent , and '' Jeannie '' , the Scottish equivalent of '' Joan '' .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/26/2020 01:24:43 am

I have already alluded to the subject matter , which solves the 1988 New Canaan letters' riddle :

'' I Dream of Jeannie : Fifteen Years Later '' - NBC , October 1985 TV debut .

Was this a case of the Zodiac ( ? ) :

'' I dream of Joan ; six and a half years later .''

Rubislaw 32 link

8/26/2020 05:37:05 am

Hi Richard .

Just to let you know that I have e-mailed New Canaan's '' Daily Voice '' , the local internet newspaper , to see if they are able to put the local feelers out , over the identity of the recipient (s) .of the two 1988 New Canaan Letters .

To contact the FBI themselves , is often a '' nightmare '' , and they would hardly be inclined to help us out ( ? ) .

I have often been made to feel grateful , for a simple '' thank you '' , and I don't suppose many have even received that .

Anyway , fingers crossed that someone picks up , with enthusiasm .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/26/2020 11:06:04 am

'' A person '' is going to put in a word for me , with the New Canaan Advertiser , to see if they can help .

It gets better all the time .

Toots

8/26/2020 07:12:52 am

There is an Irish character,
SHAUNA, PRINCESS OF BLARNEY CASTLE.

This was a Collector's Porcelain Doll. I don't know if the Danbury Mint sold this Doll, but you can find it at the Franklin Mint.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/26/2020 07:55:56 am

The '' Blarney '' term sounds interesting , Toots .

Meaning '' skillful flattery ''.

Blarney Castle , famous for its Blarney Stone . If those are able to kiss the stone , as part of the Castle's wall's , then they will be blessed with the gifts of eloquence and persuasiveness .

If the author of the letters was thinking poetically and cryptically ( ? ) .

Toots

8/26/2020 07:27:50 am

Shauna is also a Marvel Comic superhero first appearing in Nov 1988.

She was one of the mutant babies kidnapped by demons during the Inferno, Shauna was raised in Limbo by the Government-funded Project Purgatory.

https://comicvine.gamespot.com/shauna/4005-74517/issues-cover/

THE 1988 NEW CANAAN LETTERS

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