THE COTTAGE ON LAKE HERMAN ROAD

2/1/2018

The following will examine the Lake Herman Road double murder of David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen on December 20th 1968 independently, without the future Zodiac connection.

Here are some excerpts from newspapers and magazines indicating David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen may have attended the Hogan High School concert.
#1. Vallejo Times-Herald December 22nd 1968: "They were to have gone to the Hogan High School Christmas music program which lasted until around 10 pm."
#2 Sunday Examiner December 22nd 1968: "Detective Sergeant Leslie Lunblad, the graying, husky officer in charge of the investigation, said there was a distinct possibility the young couple had been trailed to the murder scene from a pre-Christmas concert in Vallejo to the Lake Herman Rd, 10 miles east of here." and "The couple had attended a Christmas concert at Hogan High School in Vallejo where Bettylou was a third-year student."
#3 December 23rd 1968: "The two youths on their first date had apparently "parked" alongside the road following a Christmas concert they were attending."
#4 San Francisco Chronicle December 23rd 1968: "Sergeant Lunblad said the young couple had attended a pre-Christmas concert and then parked on a dirt road off Lake Herman Road, ten miles east of here near Benicia."

One of the first tasks in the investigation was to secure a timeline of the young couple's movements, by tracing people who attended the Hogan High School concert, and ascertain whether David or Betty Lou attended. But despite the above, there are doubts.

#5 Vallejo Times-Herald December 23rd 1968: "Authorities are experiencing some difficulty in tracing the slain pair's whereabouts after 9 pm Friday. At approximately that hour they left the home of a close friend of the Jensen girl, but their immediate destination has not been learned. Lunblad is convinced they did not go to the Lake Herman Road trysting spot much before 11 pm." The close friend was Sharon Henslin, detailed in the police report.
#6 San Francisco Chronicle December 24th 1968: "We're getting to the point where we have times pretty well established as to the couple's movements and now we are trying to match those times with the whereabouts of possible suspects in the case." said Sheriff's Sgt Leslie B Lunblad."
#7 Vallejo News Chronicle December 26th 1968: "If you drove on any portion of Lake Herman Road east of Vallejo last Friday between 9 and 11:30 pm you may be able to help authorities capture the killer who shot to death two teenagers with a .22 caliber automatic rifle."
#8 Sunday Times-Herald March 30th 1969: "Mrs Faraday reminisced "but he hadn't done much dating- for one thing he could use the car only when I didn't need it to go to work." She is employed in the passenger reservations department at Travis Air Force Base. She said that when he did take the car for a date "he was good about observing curfews" (12:30 on Friday nights). "So I didn't think a thing about it that night. I was asleep when the phone rang at 3 am."
#9 Two Magazine excerpts:
[A] "During his many hours of investigation (Les Lunblad), the graying veteran detective sergeant learned the terrible murders on Lake Herman were the tragic end of a first date for the young couple. They had attended a pre-Christmas concert and chorale at Vallejo's Hogan High School, where pretty Betty Lou had been a student. The couple had left the school auditorium at 10:00 pm, bidding goodnight to their school chums."
[B] "At the concert, classmates of Betty Lou noticed the couple sitting side by side in the gymnasium bleachers (retractable seats), holding hands. Nobody remembers seeing them after they left the concert."

Here is the police report omitting any visit to Hogan High School, but the shallow timeline to reach the turnout from Hogan High School may work in our favor. The Helen Axe sighting of David Faraday's Rambler in the turnout at 10:15 pm would just about tally with the couple leaving the concert at 10:00 pm for the 15 minute journey. But this sighting will come under scrutiny.

On page 48 of the police report it states "Betty Lou brought David home to her parents at 8:00 pm on the 20th. There he met her parents and they left with their permission to go to Hogan High School and then to a party afterwards."
On page 53 it states "Mrs Faraday stated she did not know Betty Lou that she and David had only been going together for a short time, she had never met Betty Lou. She stated she did not know of any enemies David may have had. She stated that on Friday night at 7:10 pm David drove his sister Debbie to a meeting of the Rainbow Girls at the Pythian Castle on Sonoma Boulevard, and David came back home at 7:20 pm and left again at 7:30 pm. Responding officer talked to Debbie Faraday, WFJ 16 years, sister of David. She relates the following David told her on the afternoon of Friday 12/20/68 that he was going out to Lake Herman Road that night because a bunch of the kids were going out there that night."
If these statements were true, was there a party planned with a bunch of kids on Lake Herman Road?
On page 34 it states "The story went on to say that David was going to turn in a subject for pushing grass (or marijuana)." This was supposed to have occurred at the Pancake House on Tennessee Street.

View distance from the turnout to The Cottage by clicking the image above.

Officers Pierre Bidou and Steve Armenta secured a drugs bust at The Cottage on Lake Herman Road that night. Pierre Bidou stated on the 2007 documentary "During that night we had served a search warrant at what we call The Cottage at Lake Herman which was owned by the city of Benicia, a narcotics search warrant my partner and I, we confiscated about a pound and a half of marijuana, which in the 1960s was a big drugs bust, today it wouldn't get very high on the Richter scale. We had left and were heading back to the police department to put the marijuana into evidence and as we drove by we didn't see or observe anybody in that area, there's a turn there (the crime scene turnout) and your headlights shine right in there as you go by. As I was pulling into the lot at the police department we heard the Benicia Police Department dispatcher put out a call of a possible shooting and victims on Lake Herman Road and described the location. My partner and I turned around at that time and responded to the call." https://youtu.be/HI0jnsbZwys?t=3m5s

According to the Benicia Herald online "Bidou and his partner had served a warrant on a Lake Herman Road cabin Dec 20th 1968 and were on their way to deposit some marijuana in the police department's evidence locker when they were dispatched back to Lake Herman Road." http://beniciaheraldonline.com/citizens-police-academy-signs-of-the-zodiac/

Several eyewitnesses passed the turnout that night and saw the Faraday Rambler. Peggy and Homer Your passed the turnout, heading for the Marshall Ranch at approximately 10:55 pm. They saw the Rambler parked up. It didn't leave the turnout again that night. For Officer Pierre Bidou to have seen no vehicles in the turnout, he must have passed prior to 10:55 pm (assuming he wasn't mistaken). There was however, a vehicle parked in the turnout between 10:15 pm and 10:30 pm. according to Helen Axe's police statement. It was stated in the police report that "Miss Axe reports that she and her boyfriend, a sailor, were driving on Lake Herman Road. They passed the area of the pumping station, she recognized the Rambler and the victims, Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday. Stated that when she went by about 10:15 pm, the car was facing in towards the gate and when she returned about 15 minutes later after having gone to the end of the road and then came back, the car was turned around and the front was facing the field, a little to the side."

However, this may not have been the Rambler in the turnout, with Helen Axe possibly having inadvertently replaced the vehicle she observed with the Rambler, after subsequently reading newspaper reports of the double murder at the Lake Herman Road turnout, effectively jigsawing the two together in her mind. This was ably pointed out by Ray Grant in Zodiac Killer Solved. What she likely saw, was the white Chevrolet Impala described by Robert Connelly, Frank Gasser and Bingo Wesner, who all saw an empty 'white 4-door hardtop, 1959 or 1960 Impala' parked in the turnout at about 10:00 pm. This vehicle could have driven away shortly after 10.00 pm and been replaced by the arrival of David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen in the Rambler at around 10:15 pm. But the vehicle shifting in position is interesting, coupled with an approximate 10:30 pm sighting of a blue 1963 Chevrolet Impala, with two occupants, at the crossroads of Lake Herman Road and Columbus Parkway by Stan, a 14 year old boy. The Helen Axe sighting and Stan's are only approximations of time, so with the journey from the turnout to Columbus Parkway taking about five minutes, this could be the same vehicle. The white Chevrolet under street lighting may have skewed the color. This again, an insightful observation by Ray Grant.

The empty white Chevrolet Impala was spotted by Robert Connelly, Frank Gasser and Bingo Wesner at 10:00 pm. The two occupants may have returned from their travels at approximately 10:30 pm and started to turn the vehicle to exit the turnout. At this precise moment, Helen Axe passed the turnout heading in the direction of Vallejo and noticed the vehicle had shifted its position. Once Helen Axe had passed the turnout, the white Chevrolet Impala followed behind.

We don't know exactly when the Chevrolet Impala arrived at the turnout. It was spotted at 10:00 pm. However, William Crow and his girlfriend were parked in the turnout earlier.

The police report stated "he was driving his girlfriend's sports car and he was testing it out and adjusting the motor. He was parked in the open area by the pump station and he observed a blue car, possibly a Valiant coming down the road from Benicia towards Vallejo. They passed his location, stopped in the middle of the road and he saw the white lights of the reverse come on and the car started backing up towards them. Mr Crow put the car in gear and took off at a high rate of speed and the car followed him at a high rate of speed. They did not attempt to gain on him, but when they got to the turn off towards Benicia, William Crow turned towards Benicia and the other car went straight ahead. The subjects were both Caucasians and there is no further identification on the car or the subjects." William Crow and his girlfriend were estimated to have been on Lake Herman Road between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm.

William Crow would later claim he never said "blue valiant." In a revised offering he said "I could not see the passenger seat, but the driver was a man with short hair and glasses. I did not see his specific facial features. I never told the sheriff who interviewed me that the car I encountered was a Valiant. As I recall, as I was attempting to describe the car, the sheriff came up with a “Valiant”. In the years that have passed, when I have shared the events of that night, I have described the car as a four-door light-colored Chevy." He couldn't see the passenger seat, so it could have been another man, a woman, or a single occupant.

Was this the four-door white Chevrolet Impala described by Robert Connelly, Frank Gasser and Bingo Wesner? After effectively 'removing' William Crow from the turnout (and assuming this was the same vehicle as observed by the above three eyewitnesses), did it then park in the turnout shortly before 10.00 pm. The two occupants vacate their Chevrolet Impala just before 10.00 pm and return at 10:30 pm, when spotted turning their vehicle by Helen Axe at 10:30 pm or thereabouts.

But where would the two occupants have gone for 30-35 minutes on an extremely cold 22 degrees Fahrenheit night? You would think under these circumstances that the occupants were certainly determined in their goal and had parked in the turnout for something nearby. We are therefore looking for an approximate 10-12 minute journey either way, that necessitated them leaving their vehicle in the turnout. The Marshall Ranch was just up the road, but one would assume the occupants of the ranch would have been questioned, not withstanding the fact, that if the occupants of the Chevrolet were visiting the Marshall Ranch at 10.00 pm at night, they would likely have arranged in advance for their ease of entrance to be accommodated. The Cottage, however, is exactly 10 minutes walking distance from the turnout, and the turnout is the nearest accessible parking area to The Cottage. 'The Cottage at Lake Herman was owned by the city of Benicia,' so it may have been gated or secured that night by either the city, or the occupants of The Cottage, requiring the search warrant for entry by Officers Bidou and Armenta. This may have been why the occupants of the Chevrolet had to park their vehicle at the closest point. Either that, or they didn't want their vehicle being seen by The Cottage when buying their drugs. After all, police 'confiscated about a pound and a half of marijuana, which in the 1960s was a big drugs bust.'

Click for Google maps

Russell Butterbach of the Solano County Sheriff's Department and his partner Wayne Waterman were just heading onto Lake Herman Road, when they received a call from the sergeant to go to the Hells Angels pad on Warren Avenue, Vallejo. After approximately 30 minutes they then received a double 187 on Lake Herman Road. Were the drugs at The Cottage connected in any way to Warren Avenue.

The two occupants left their Chevrolet in the turnout slightly before 10:00 pm, walked the 10 minutes to The Cottage and bought their drugs. They spent 5-10 minutes at The Cottage, before the 10 minute journey back to their vehicle around 10:25-10:30 pm. But what if they had a conversation with an undetermined number of people at The Cottage, stating they were parked down the road in the turnout and were heading back? They left the 'drugs party' at approximately 10:15 pm, and shortly thereafter, the police rolled up to The Cottage securing 'about a pound and a half of marijuana.' The two dealers are hauled off to Benicia Police Department by Officers Pierre Bidou and Steve Armenta, leaving a scattered crowd. The two officers pass the turnout heading back to Benicia sometime around 10:45 pm. Remember, Pierre Bidou stated "We had left and were heading back to the police department to put the marijuana into evidence and as we drove by we didn't see or observe anybody in that area, there's a turn there (the crime scene turnout) and your headlights shine right in there as you go by." The Chevrolet had now gone, but...David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen pull into the turnout shortly after - and within 25 minutes both are dead.

The crime was eventually attributed to a 'crazed maniac' serial killer, who belatedly owned up to the double murder nearly seven months later. The person may have been 'crazed' that night, but was it because they had been party to a 'big drugs bust', and were looking for revenge. They recalled the two occupants heading back to the turnout just minutes before the police arrived. Did they eventually head to the pitch-black turnout, seeing two occupants parked up, before committing the brutal double murder of David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen in error, that ultimately initiated the birth, of who we now know as the Zodiac Killer.

38 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

2/1/2018 03:52:43 pm

Some interesting background and ''backdrop'' circumstances,surrounding the murders of Betty Lou and David,Richard.

From what I have surmised,it was their first official date.They had dropped over to a girlfriend of Betty Lou,who had extended the offer of a party invitation,which they had turned down.

Instead,they went to the Pancake House,for ''one to one'' intimacy.However,David found that an ex school acquaintance was doing pot deals,in the toilets of this establishment,and decided to take the law,into his own hands.Perhaps a bit of ''bravado'',with a new girlfriend ''in tow'' [?].

The altercation between the two young men,resulted in David,receiving a punch to his right cheek,the bruising of which,showed up in the pathology report.

Lake Herman Road parking spot was,essentially,where it is believed that Betty Lou and David headed,after the Pancake House.David,to cool off,after his fist fight,and a quieter time for the young couple.

When police first started investigating their murder,the pot dealer at the Pancake House,was the prime suspect,in their murders.This was followed by a boy at school,who had a crush on Betty Lou,and was outspoken against any boy that appeared to take a shine on Betty Lou.

Both suspects were eliminated,by police,quite quickly.

Beyond this,I look forward to what anyone has to add.

Judith N Chapman

2/1/2018 05:58:20 pm

How do you explain then the letter writer whom we come to know as the Zodiac, has all of these details about the murder?

Richard

2/2/2018 12:20:41 am

I am just exploring a new concept Judith, bringing the white Chevrolet from idle participant to center stage. The letter writer came to know about the details of the murder, because the person who left The Cottage and shot the couple after the drugs bust was Zodiac. There are many commuters and players on such a supposedly quiet, off the beaten track road, late on that Friday night. Helen Axe and boyfriend, William Crow 'being chased', Robert Connelly, Frank Gasser, Bingo Wesner, the Yours and Stella Medeiros, the drug bust with Pierre Bidou and Steve Armenta, then the tragic murder of the young couple. What I tried to do, was attempt to knit them all together around the motionless Impala, giving this vehicle a reason to be in the turnout empty of its occupants. If Zodiac was at The Cottage, and he murdered the young couple, then to find the killer dabbled with mind-altering drugs wouldn't be very surprising, or, at the very least made a living selling them, enabling him the copious weaponry he needed to have for safety purposes. The idea Judith, was that Zodiac didn't just decide to be a serial killer one day, he spawned from a crime such as this.

Richard

2/2/2018 12:22:50 am

This idea is just a suggestion- trying a new angle on the crime. But I certainly understand it may be wide of the mark, for sure.

Tahoe27

2/1/2018 07:09:21 pm

I don't believe the argument at the pancake house was the day he was killed. ?? http://www.zodiackiller.com/LHRPR34.html Still an interesting scenario considering there was a drug bust. But, was anyone actually there when this bust happened? If I recall, there was never mention of an arrest. Only the drugs.

Something else to take note of his the Pink House bordering Lake Herman. Something worth reading if you are unfamiliar:

http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=74

Also, in regard to Crow. I wouldn't doubt he did say "blue Valiant"...since there wasn't just one blue car, but two, as described by Stan: http://www.zodiackiller.com/LHRPR52.html The reports at the time are generally correct and it's years of "reading" other instances that one changes their minds. i.e. Graysmith The timing is off by about 30 minutes if looking at the report, but it seems Crow wasn't quite sure of the time.

Crow, of course, also mentions two Caucasian males in the car that came after him. I don't think "they" were Zodiac at all.

http://www.zodiackiller.com/LHRPR10.html

Richard

2/2/2018 12:35:45 am

I don't think there was any mention of arrests either Tahoe, but I would gather that a drug bust in the 60's, such as this, brought charges in the case. This is an excerpt from a Benicia Herald article, indicating they had a minimum of two people secured from the drugs bust that night,
"The timing was remarkable. The officers had just participated in a narcotics raid at a building at the Lake Herman parking area and had driven back to town with suspects in the back of their cruiser. Perhaps, they thought, they had seen a car at the turnout. Maybe there were two. They couldn’t be completely sure."
http://beniciaheraldonline.com/the-zodiac-case/

Richard

2/2/2018 12:40:50 am

As for William Crow, his account can easily be dropped from the equation, with the white Chevrolet Impala still parked up slightly before 10.00 pm. It was just a worthwhile addition, mentioning the William Crow incident as an unusual occurrence, while fitting it around the timeline.

Tahoe27

2/2/2018 06:41:45 pm

Thank you for the link. I have tried to find out more about "The Cottage"...what kind of facility it was...would it be open to the public at that time of night, etc. And I agree with what you say about Crow.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/1/2018 11:49:48 pm

The information I have found on the Pancake House,and complaints about a boy at school,bothering Betty Lou,comes from officially documented police reports,and supplemental investigation reports.

So,references to mere discussion,and mere opinion,hardly adds weight to a differing viewpoint.....when balanced against official police reports....and in this case,from the Office of Sheriff,County of Solano,California.

This is precisely how ''mere speculation'' is given licence,to go rampant [?].

Tahoe27

2/2/2018 05:55:53 pm

My information comes from the police reports as well. I provided a link to the pancake house info from the police report. I would love to see more info on the date if one can be found. Certainly no guessing...or argument intended. And yes, Richard "Ricky" Burton is talked about a lot in those reports. I am one, as well, who agrees with the importance of gathering info from them...whether the info--even at the time, is accurate or not.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/3/2018 12:11:22 am

I know,Tahoe 27....there is no intentions of ''points scoring'' here.

It is simply to ascertain what exactly,the investigating police were up to,in their efforts to find the killer of Betty Lou and David,in the aftermath,of their murders.

And,in light of the lack of knowledge the local police,had at the time,with regard to Zodiac's involvement.

Whatever the complete accuracy of investigations,at that time,it does seem that they focused their attention,initially at least,on the couple's contemporaries....i.e.that the murders were ''same generation'' related.

Wolf

2/2/2018 04:22:04 am

Sailor? I'd say it could've been the killer himself considering the fact Robert Tarbox claimed the zodiac was a scared cat who worked as a marine merchant.

Judith N Chapman

2/2/2018 07:22:03 am

The Perfect Crime no fingerprints no DNA as far as We Know no eyewitnesses No cameras no tire tracks and that extremely tight timeline of passerbys of the scene of this remote area, and ballistics uncertain. Until someone writes a letter. He says he's a hunter for all we know he could have been hiding in the field. Been by this location many times over the many many years I lived in the Bay Area

Rubislaw 32 link

2/2/2018 08:10:42 am

Some good points,and well articulated,Judith.

I have your book,by the way....and a valuable contribution to the case of the Zodiac Killer.

Zodiac was lucky,with the lack of tire tracks,because of the exceptional high air pressure and cold temperature,at the time.

I have read,on more than one occasion,that police believe that Zodiac,with motorcar,was stalking that spot,that evening....and spending part of his time,parked up on an embankment,close by.

So,your ''hiding in a field'' reference,may be nearer to the truth of the matter,than many realise.

Indeed,I agree that Zodiac lived in the Bay Area.But,I'm not so sure that it was for many,many years.

Zodiac was ''about'' reading and motoring,in particular.The first thing he would do,when moving to a new area,is drive around,finding his bearings,and familiarising himself,with his surroundings.

This is what he liked to do,for recreation,as much as anything else.Perhaps,in order to be that ''hunter'',to which you refer.

So often,have I read,words to the effect : ''Oh,but he must have been ''from'' there...he obviously knew the place,so well.''.

The answer,I feel is actually ''No''.

The whole notion of ''roads'' and ''motoring'',was Zodiac's ''home'',and place of worship.

Wherever,those roads happened to be.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/2/2018 03:29:48 pm

On February 2nd 1968,a man walked into Fairfield Civic Center Library,and made application for a library card,so that he was able to withdraw the book,''The Code Breakers'' by David Kahn.

The name ''William Joseph Grant'' was typed out,by the librarian,for the man who requested this card.

However,at a later date,Lyndon Lafferty was to find that,though the man had signed for the surname,''Grant'',he had employed a Christian name,other than ''William''.

$100 for the first person that can categorically obtain the Christian name,that the man signed with.

If that Christian name turns out to be ''Ulysses'',there will be another $100 added.

Any takers ?

Jerry Johnson should know.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/3/2018 04:23:38 pm

Corrumber !!!

My last post [above],is 50 years,to the day,since a man walked into Fairfield Civic Center Library,to request a library card.

The inference being,that this was the man,that wanted to get educated on constructing ciphers.

The inference,also,that he had nominated Mr.Grant,as someone to impersonate...and deliberately so.

Perhaps,also to leave behind,one of his ''trademark'' little clews [?].

Jerry Johnson was one of the late lamented Lyndon Lafferty's merry band of seven sleuths.

There are one or two of you that know him,and I hope that one of those,will ask him kindly.

Thank you.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/5/2018 11:14:43 am

Hi Richard,

With reference to your article on ''Z 263'',and the 1988 New Canaan Letter :

Are you able to negotiate its entirety on your site ?

It still seems to have some sort of ''Top Secret'' status,though known to exist in the public domain.

I have just solved the remaining part of the cipher,which is actually a '' Z 270''.It answers the question about Mrs.Taylor knowing ''who draws the symbol''.

It certainly confirms the identity of the Zodiac,for me.

If you are able to put the whole letter up,I will post the solution to the remaining 10 cipher text and 10 plain text characters,that constitute the full [21x13] 270 cipher,and its solution.

I won't actually ''say'' Zodiac's identity,but two of his three names,will be written down,in the solution.

F.B.I. ''Crypto'',and C.P.O. Edinburgh,will know.

Time for sharing information [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

2/5/2018 11:20:45 am

Amendment to above :

Should read ''Z 273''.

I can't even count to ten.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/5/2018 11:41:23 am

No ''tenterhooks'' intended.

For anyone with genuine interest,they might want to watch ''I dream of Jeannie....Fifteen years on.''

An NBC ''film for TV'',produced on March 30th 1986.

Richard

2/5/2018 12:47:04 pm

Courtesy of Mike Morford's http://www.zodiackillersite.com/

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter1_orig.jpg

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter2_orig.jpg

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter5-1_orig.jpg

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter6-1_orig.jpg

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter8-1_orig.jpg

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter9_orig.jpg

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter10_orig.jpg

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter11_orig.jpg

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/newletter13_orig.jpg

Richard

2/5/2018 01:02:16 pm

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/photographs-13.html

Rubislaw 32 link

2/5/2018 01:06:37 pm

This is a good start....thanks to you and Mike Morford.

OK,anyone is at liberty to take what they want,in terms of perception....but there is now compelling evidence that the 1988 Canaan Letter is ''genuine Zodiac''.

I will fill in the gaps,after visits to the F.B.I. and Crown Prosecution Service.

Thanks Richard ! Clear evidence that ''L.E.'' continue to be a ''bunch of b*st**ds''.

My words,and acknowledged.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/6/2018 06:27:52 pm

Hi Richard

The solution offered,is in effect,a completion of the cipher contained,within the 1988 New Canaan Letter.

Hence,there is a cipher text,reading : R E D P I M W T O Z

And,a solution,as a plain text,reading : G E N I T H E O N E

The genie,''Jeanie'',played by Barbara Eden,drew a pendant symbol,to explode an asteroid,on course to collide with the space shuttle,piloted by her husband,Tony Nelson,played by Wayne Rogers,and Nelly Hunt,played by Lee Taylor-Allan.

Hence ''Mrs.Taylor'' would have remembered who ''drew the symbol''.

Perhaps,''Lee'' and ''Allan'' part appealed to Zodiac,as yet another ''clew'' to pass the blame on to someone else [?].Arthur Leigh Allan,for example [?].

Naturally,I ''know'' more than I am able to reveal.

But hey,the ''bones'' of it,are quite curious [?].

The cipher text : R E D P I M P T O Z

As a radio type message,perhaps,or just a listing of Zodiac's monikers [?].

''Red Phantom,Imperial Wizard to Zodiac.''

I have posted more,at zodiackillermystery.freeforums.net

Was Zodiac up to his mischievousness,again ? With reference to ''his'' Deep Real Estate Personal Ad message [?].

The 1988 Canaan Letter seems to be ''parody''.But was it ''self parody'' ?

For all possible dissenters,the F.B.I may have already had forensics evidence,that indicates the letter was written by Zodiac.

The ''solution'' was a tough nut to crack,and should not be underestimated.

But,we all have our own opinions [?].This,the greatest certainty of all [!].

Richard

2/7/2018 04:58:53 am

My opinion of this cipher irrespective of any solution to it, after initially being intrigued by its inclusion in the FBI files, is sadly from a Zodiac perspective, a non-starter. I have seen many things included by the FBI, but this has to rank, in my opinion, one of the worst Zodiac copycat efforts I have seen. Mike Morford received an anonymous tip these letters and ciphers were formulated by a 17 year old, so I congratulate anybody who solves the ciphers, but in actual fact, they are only solving the hoax of a sad and pathetic child, who is wasting police time and resources- along with the damage it does to the families by diverting attention away from the killer. I do accept Rubislaw, that some are convinced by some Zodiac material while others are not- I accept this. For me, however, this correspondence is something I could create in a few hours. It appears like the author has just read previous material on the Zodiac, liquidized it up in a Kenwood blender, and spewed it out onto the page, containing not one piece of original content. I would actually be surprised if it wasn't created by a 12 year old.
This is with total respect and my sole opinion to which others may totally disagree. But if somebody would like me to create a fake Zodiac correspondence matching the handwriting completely, I will gladly do so. Cheers Rubislaw.

My Name Is Mine

2/3/2019 12:12:43 am

Thanks to a few of my sources, it appears the 1998 New Canaan letter was dismissed by the FBI as a hoax. Apparently it was just some rich kid with too much time on his hands playing a practical joke. The same can be said for the Secret Pal snowman card and photocopied keys. That one was sent by a different hoaxer who called himself "Sam" and lived in Eureka. The keys he photocopied were in fact his own post office box keys!

As for the New Canaan hoax, the person named Shauna in the letter was a real person. She is an opera singer who attended New Canaan school. She is still alive and well.

As for Mrs Taylor, the surname Taylor is very common in New Canaan. A “Mrs. Taylor”, known to her friends as Dody, lived in New Canaan from 1952 until 1997, before moving to a nearby town. She was a well known local artist. It is interesting that she left New Canaan the year before the hoax letter was posted.

I have heard some claims that a Mrs Taylor was also a school teacher at New Canaan - she was perhaps the same person as the artist - but I cannot confirm this.

But it’s clear this New Canaan communication was just a hoax. The hoaxer used basically the same code as the 408 to encrypt the message. Some school kid with wealthy parents had evidently decided to re-hash the Zodiac stuff and added a couple of local female identities to the mix.

I wonder if he got into trouble? Perhaps a case of “Boys will be boys!” At least Sam from Eureka did not seem too bothered by the fuss his little hoax had caused. Both efforts were rather juvenile in their intent.

I also have doubts about the Albany letter. It just has that look about if of being a fake. The writing is in fact remarkably similar in many ways to the New Canaan letters. Hmmmm.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/7/2018 06:05:51 am

I certainly take your points,on board,Richard.

One can only deal,if one is able,with what Zodiac related material,is in front of one.

It was indeed a ''difficult solve'',but naturally,the letter could be a forgery,of some sort.The question being whether it was ''parody'' or ''self parody'' [?].

The letter's timing,in terms of Mike Morford's receipt,is quite interesting.April 2015 fits in between the announcements of the official murder re-investigations of Brenda Page [February 2015],the letter recieved,by Eve Carson,from D.A.Jonathan Blodgett,regarding the handing over of Joan Webster's case file [March 2015],,,,,and,the official murder re-investigation of Emma Caldwell [May 2015].

The 1988 New Canaan Letter,appears to be the last Zodiac related item of significance,handed over into the public domain [?].

Later to-day,I will hand over the riddle solution to L.E. agencies,and ask of the F.B.I.,in particular,about this ''nonsense'' story [!],about a 17 year old,the further details of which,have never seen the light of day

Of course,they will not tell me.

Thanks for the feedback,Richard...and your great and ''accommodating''site.

This is how free debating should be conducted,and other sites might like to take note [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

2/7/2018 07:06:44 am

......it had occurred to me,Richard,and simply judging that New Canaan Letter,on the first page....

We are confronted by ''Dear.....'',with strategically placed blank redaction.

Judging from the ''font size'' of the writers writing,it is likely that the name of intended recipient is one simple name [?].

I would suggest that,if that ''one simple name'' happened to be ''George''....then the whole possible interpretation of that letter changes,by a proverbial 180 degrees [?].

Anyone up for a debate,on this point,alone [?].

Indeed,does anyone know what I am talking about [?].

An interesting point,I would suggest.Particularly,in light of Jonathan Blodgett's letter,dated March 3rd 2015.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/7/2018 10:53:52 am

If I may,Richard,I will offer up this topic,one further time,to see if anyone wishes to dip their toes in the water,so to speak.

As officially documented,though unseen by a member of the public,a certain ''Mr.Webster'' received two ''Dear George'' cards on April 21st 1982.

This,five months following the disappearance of his eldest daughter,Joan.

At the time,neither he,nor investigating police,were able to ascertain the identity of the claimed sender.

''We'' might care to note,that a certain ''Mr.Bates'' received correspondence,of a similar nature,in April of 1967.This,with links to his murdered daughter,Cheri Jo.

In addition,we are aware of the sister of Donna Lass,Mary,receiving a Christmas card,with references to ''pines''.

If the correspondence,known as the 1988 New Canaan Letter,was to be found to be another ''Dear George'' missive,and this time claimed to be written by ''Zodiac''....and indeed,showing off his ''wares''....it certainly gives us more to think about,regarding the letter's authenticity [?].

And,indeed,that Law Enforcement dipped their toes in the water,by sending a copy of this letter,to a respected Zodiac website manager.

And,further to this,electing to send that copy,shortly after explaining to Ms.Webster's sister-in-law,via the District Attorney of Essex County,M.A.,who held jurisdiction on the Joan Webster case,that Joan's case file had been handed over to ''another L.E.agency'',for the purposes of re-investigation.

If the 1988 New Canaan correspondence is a ''Dear George'' letter,it certain places another angle on interpretation.

At the very least.

Greg

2/7/2018 01:49:59 pm

Excellent article Richard. I've tried reading it very carefully, piecing together the many pieces of this intricate mosaic. I too have wondered of late how the killer, if the shooting was a crime of opportunity, was able to know that the car contained a young couple being romantic, seemingly his preferred choice of victim perhaps due to the element of surprise-attack this affords him, their vulnerability, or other more personal reasons. Due to the small window the LHR shooting seems to have happened inside, for all he knew, anyone, even undercover police, may have been sitting in that vehicle. This certainly would not be a scenario worth his while.
Therefore, as Rubislaw and others mention, there in all probability had to be at least a modicum of him casing the scene before deciding to act. What exactly this entailed, on such a freezing dark night, with so many opaque witness accounts of cars and occupants is obviously open to theory.

I tried looking at the actual landscape of LHR, wondering if such a walk to The Cottage and back would be possible. There doesn't seem to be much area beside the road for a person to walk without seriously being at risk of getting struck by a vehicle, particularly at night in a rural area with no artificial light. Because it is about a 10 minute walk, it perhaps seems that someone from a passing car, Helen Axe or others, might have come forward with reports of such a sighting of people walking the road.

Do we know if this turnout spot had a reputation for being a place where young lovers, and virtually no other demographic, would go for privacy? From an outside perspective, being a spot surrounded by racoon hunters and the like, it doesn't seem an ideal place for romance. But if the killer knew he was almost guaranteed to find 'easy prey' at that spot on a Friday night, it may help to better understand why he went after the Rambler. Very good stuff.

Richard

2/7/2018 03:01:17 pm

What I tried to do Greg was throw away any preconceptions of the crime and treat it as an individual crime, without Zodiac. He may have known this was a courting spot for young couples, but it may in actual fact have nothing to do with courting couples. This may have been his first crime- a crime that satiated his appetite for more. Little has ever been written about the drugs angle at The Cottage, only 0.4 miles and 30 odd minutes before the double murder. It may have nothing to do with the murders of David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen, but to isolate it as completely separate is ignoring a possibility, however slim. There obviously may be no connection, but a vehicle parked empty for possibly up to 30 minutes in the turnout with no explanation why it's there, followed by a double murder 45 minutes later, should at least be considered as worthy of consideration. I believe, as Ray Grant stated, the Chevrolet is the vehicle Helen Axe observed, not the Rambler, because of the slim timeline, and if so, this vehicle wasn't parked so somebody wanted to take a leak- they were determined in less than clement weather to park up in the middle of nowhere for a reason. The purchase of drugs tends to override common sense, and bearing in mind a large quantity of drugs were in the possession of somebody just down the road, it's not without merit. The occupants of the Chevrolet were somewhere, and could it be inconsequential that after they vacated the space, two people were murdered a short time later, but you never know. Would the occupants walk via the road or off road, I don't know, but we, with Zodiac in our minds, always assume it was a serial killer embarking on his crimes from the perspective of a random killer just happening upon the young couple. The window of time is always portrayed as a narrow 6 minute window, but in my opinion it was nearer 11 or 12 minutes. James Owen passing at 11.08-11.09 pm and Stella Medeiros passing at 11.20 pm, leaving plenty of time for a random, unplanned murder. This may be what its always been portrayed as Greg, a serial killer in the making, knowing that courting couples frequented this area, or it could have been an unplanned murder that satiated the appetite of a future serial killer.

Richard

2/7/2018 03:13:35 pm

I have just got in from the pub after 8 pints, so if the previous response is less than coherent, I apologize. Sorry Greg.

Greg

2/7/2018 09:29:28 pm

No worries Richard, it was fully coherent. I appreciate the perspective you take here, and because of the 6 months of silence and inactivity until the next attack it may well have been a one-off that ultimately set the wheels in motion for future violence.

I'm sure this idea has come out before but one has to wonder whether Betty and David were spotted and targeted at some point earlier that night. The swiftness and sense of purpose that accompanies this attack seems to indicate a level of familiarity with the vehicle and its occupants. Mageau has at times said he was followed by the assailant the night of the BRS shooting. Obviously something similar could have happened here. The Rambler belonged to David's parents so if the shooter was acquainted with the vehicle this knowledge likely came only in the lead-up to the attack, i.e. he didn't associate it with David and Betty Lou. The couple, as has been illustrated here, were at a concert and/or pancake restaurant prior, not impossible the killer stalked them from one of those places. But then again, how would he know they intended to go out to that remote spot?

I agree with your points about the oddness of the car parked unoccupied in the turnout. It's curious as well, if his story is accurate, that Crow was blitzed out of that same turnout spot by someone just earlier. Sounds strange, but for whatever reason it seems on that night anyone who dared enter that territory was putting his life at risk. I guess the question is why was that turnout being so guarded? Was it somehow related to the events at The Cottage, as you say? Or was the assailant gripped by some form of psychosis with regards to its importance?

Was watching an excerpted interview with Bryan Hartnell earlier and he said something I'd never heard before. He mentioned that Zodiac did not seem conscious of what he was doing during the attack at Lake Berryessa. Basically, this might suggest some type of dissociation disorder. If the killer was psychotic, he may have viewed that turnout as some special portal he was compelled to protect in the same way the Son of Sam had delusions about barking dogs and demons inside his apartment walls.

Many uncertainties, of course. The drug bust just up the road, I agree, should figure prominently in our understanding.

Rubislaw 32 link

2/7/2018 11:55:48 pm

Yes Greg,as you have touched on,it would naturally be of interest to know what ''form'' of stalking of that area around the car park,was adopted by Zodiac.

The police reports tend to leave a legacy of specific investigations into individuals,and their witness accounts.But one can often read ''generalised'' comments,which have pertinence,also,in that they can set a picture,as such.

It was a cold night,and it would have become apparent to Zodiac,that there weren't many ''takers'' for that car park,that night.

I have read that Friday night,in particular,was often an ''improvised'' party night for groups of youths,for that particular spot.

It has been ruminated that Zodiac,may have hung out at places,like the Pancake House,to then follow movements of couples,thereafter.

But unlikely,if there was only one of him [?].

More likely,and considered by police was,that he did spend some time,parked up an embankment,close by to the car park...but in between ''forays'' of drives around the area,''scouting'' for potential cars that might shortly feel the need,to use that spot.

There are unconfirmed reports that motorists were overtaken by a car [or cars] at high speed,in that general area,that evening.

The possibility therefore that Zodiac would spot a potential ''prey',a couple of miles out,and race to be back at that embankment,to see if the car would turn in to the car park...or simply drive past.

Charles P link

2/21/2018 09:13:17 am

Richard, I've always appreciated the levelheadedness of your commentary. I just wanted to say.

Richard

2/21/2018 09:49:18 am

Cheers Charles, always nice to hear.

Gerry Johnson

3/1/2018 01:15:59 pm

He is an undercover cop. Heard about the drug bust on inter-agency radio. Not from Benicia or Solano. Hates drug users.

Snoopy Stef

10/12/2020 12:03:48 am

👀 Looking at Google satellite..
it would be easy enough to slip under or around the gate, walk down the road (that goes to the police firing range )....and cut across the path to "the cottage" buy/ deliver drugs/ weapons etc. and walk back 👣

The problem is you'd think the hunters or sheepherder, would see him walking out there ...
but maybe he was able to see their flashlight and avoid them.

Another possibility is that the Impala driver parked at the turnout and another vehicle picked him up...then dropped him (or her) back. Could be a clandestine lover situation but why meet to park elsewhere..
... No one has ever come forward.

Curious ...was "the Cottage " associated with the Hell's Angeles ☠️ ...or who were the dealers busted....did anyone catch names?

and is there more information on this second warrant and police car going to a Hells Angeles place on Warren St ? Was anyone arrrested ?

The Hell's Angeles were very active in Vallejo back then and probably running the local crime but two in one night seems more like a crackdown.

Also the police passing the turnout after the bust at the cottage were in an unmarked vehicle ..correct?
Any idea what color or make?
Did they have the arrested in the back ..did they just drop them with a booking officer and quickly turn around or did another copy deliver them to the station? Seems someone would mention this.

My Name Is Mine

10/12/2020 12:20:09 am

Good point Snoopy Stef. I am sure it will dishearten many Zodiac veterans if it is ever revealed that Zodiac was just a rabble rousing biker, delving into petty crimes like pot distribution. It would not surprise me at all, but how will those who have spent vast amounts of time and money creating suspects feel, e.g. the promoter of the eminent Kjell Qvale theory? They will definitely have their noses out of joint about it. Zodiac could have been rather ordinary.

THE COTTAGE ON LAKE HERMAN ROAD

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