THE EDGE OF DARKNESS

8/6/2020

The Lake Herman Road murders probably began in similar fashion to the events at Blue Rock Springs Park, with the Zodiac Killer pulling up behind the Rambler of David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen on the west bank of the turnout. The killer likely blinked his lights and presented a flashlight to convince the couple he was law enforcement, ushering them back towards the eastern side. David Faraday would have made the same assumption as Michael Mageau, believing they were about to be spoken to by police. The technique worked at Lake Herman Road, so why would the killer not adopt a similar approach six-and-a-half months later. This version of events will differ to the widely held view of a killer pulling up alongside the Rambler in the turnout.

Captain Daniel Pitta recorded being flagged down by Stella Medeiros at 11:25 pm, who described the two victims laying on the turnout floor. He radioed Benicia Police Department, where Officer Pierre Bidou had just pulled into the parking lot with his partner. Pierre Bidou stated "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". Captain Daniel Pitta would have took the details from Stella Medeiros and relayed them to the Benicia Police Department dispatcher, who then "put out the call", which was heard by Officer Pierre Bidou as he pulled into the parking lot. He stated he immediately turned around and headed back to the Lake Herman Road turnout.

Officer Pierre Bidou likely responded to the dispatch approximately one or two minutes after Captain Daniel Pitta was flagged down by Stella Medeiros. Let us say 11:26 pm. The journey time from the Lake Herman Road turnout to Benicia Police Department and back, according to Google maps is 14 minutes. Officer Pierre Bidou would have traveled a bit quicker on the return journey, so 13 minutes is a fair estimate. This would have placed Officer Pierre Bidou passing the Lake Herman Road turnout after exiting The Cottage at 11:13 pm, just one minute before the reported time of James Owen (who saw two vehicles parked alongside each other on the eastern edge, with nobody in or around them). If Pierre Bidou took the entire 14 minutes, he would have initially passed the turnout at 11:12 pm. His journey time cannot have been any quicker than 13 minutes, because he would have passed the turnout at the same time as James Owen and couldn't have failed to see both vehicles (or at least the Rambler in the turnout). It is fairly evident that Officer Pierre Bidou passed the turnout just one or two minutes prior to James Owen, but "didn't see or observe anybody in that area, because there's a turn there (the crime scene turnout) and your headlights shine right in there as you go by". This is shown clearly in the Zodiac documentary in 2007. However, you will notice that a vehicle parked on the west bank (closest to the approaching vehicle) could easily go unnoticed.

When Officer Pierre Bidou passed the turnout at about 11:12 pm (after leaving The Cottage), the Rambler was in the turnout, but was positioned on the west bank facing into the gate. This was the position that Robert Connelly described in the police report, when "he insisted the Rambler was parked on the bank, facing into the gate". On the map above, the position of the Rambler has been marked with a blue cross, next to the bank slope. Robert Connelly maintained this recollection over two interviews on the 21st and 24th December 1968. The simple explanation is that Robert Connelly noticed the Faraday Rambler, whereas Officer Pierre Bidou didn't. A vehicle parked on the bank slope on the near extreme right of the image above, could easily be missed. But the Rambler was certainly there throughout.

It was estimated that Robert Connelly and Frank Gasser left the area (heading to Benicia) at approximately 11:05 pm. Officer Pierre Bidou passed the turnout at approximately 11:12 pm. That means the Rambler was sitting on the west bank for seven minutes, but had then relocated just two minutes later when James Owen passed. This must have been the crucial two minute period, where the Zodiac Killer pulled up behind the Rambler and ushered it back across the turnout. It may very well have been seconds before James Owen passed. Had it been too long, then Owen would have either seen the attack or the bodies laying on the turnout floor (which he didn't). He also failed to see any occupants in or around the vehicles. They had to be situated in their vehicles. He most likely just failed to notice them.

39 Comments

Shawn

8/6/2020 08:14:07 am

Most people agree Zodiac seemed to be wreckless with near capture and embolden at the Stine murder.

I'm starting to think maybe he was like this the entire time.

At LHR he chose a lover's lane that was not private (headlights from the south lighted up the entire place) and had a constant cascade of traffic passing by. (At least on Dec. 20) Meanwhile (inbetween passing cars) Zodiac was brazen enough to kill Betty and David.

At BRS he chose a very public park off a major road with cars known to come and go inside the park at night (some drug dealing?). Again he was brazen enough to take his time to shoot Darlene and Mike.
Then becomes more embolden to phone in the crime.

At LB I think it was another brazen act given it was daylight and he was wearing a noticeable outfit. Then becomes embolden to report the crime.

To me, it seems he was brazen all along in his attacks and somewhat wreckless like at the Stine murder.

All the attacks occurred in highly frequented places and he pushed the envelope of being captured by adding unnecessary steps to the murders. (like calling police). Writing Letters and such. BTK pushed the letter writing too much and his lack of knowledge about relatively new technology (Floppy disc) got him busted.

Maybe Zodiac was more lucky than clever.

8/6/2020 08:53:22 am

James Owen saw two cars, but no people. However, a few minutes later Stella Medeiros sees only one car and two bodies? Owen’s account is possible, but questionable.

I guess, in theory, Owen saw Zodiac’s vehicle and the Rambler, but didn’t notice any individuals. He later said he heard a gun shot (not several shots) about 30 seconds later. Again, possible but questionable.

Stella Medeiros said she saw no vehicles heading towards Vallejo. If she was driving 70 miles an hour towards Benicia, then there’s a good possibility she was not that far behind Zodiac’s vehicle. Maybe she even passed him.

Owen returned to the crime scene the next morning after he heard about the killings. He later volunteered a co-worker’s name as a possible witness???

The fact that Owen worked for Humble Oil and that there are other refineries and oil installations in the area has created a possible link to the Phillips 66 Map. So, in addition to a possible military connection (boot prints and ciphers), a film and theater connection (The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Treasure Island), we also have a connection to oil refineries.

I agree with Shawn, Zodiac was a lucky bastard, and his greatest stroke of luck was a seemingly confused group of bystanders, witnesses and cops.

Richard

8/6/2020 09:26:46 am

I agree with both you and Shawn, it was more luck than an exceptional mind. I have believed for a long time that the James Owen account is unusual, but that Rambler certainly moved left and right. I can understand why Faraday shifted the Rambler - because the headlights didn't light up this section of the west bank as much as the eastern side. I can't think of any other logical reason to relocate the Rambler. Robert Connelly was adamant that the Rambler was there (twice).

Mr Grumpy

8/6/2020 11:28:13 am

I believe that the witnesses gave a pretty clear rendition of what they saw, and it is grossly unfair to label them confused many years after the event.

8/6/2020 12:30:38 pm

I meant no disrespect to the witnesses when I described their accounts as confused.

However, James Ownes' recollection of what he saw and heard vs.what actually happened is perplexing. In fact, some people (not me) have put him the category of being a suspect solely based on his account of the events of that night.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/7/2020 02:33:07 pm

Interesting on the mention of '' Humble Oil '' , Mo , which actually translates to the ExxonMobile commissioned construction of the Benicia Oil refinery , 1968-1970 .

Up until that point , Benicia had become largely wasteland , but with this new injection into the local economy , Benicia was to '' rise from the ashes '' again . Large influx of transient Oil and construction workers who , mostly took up residence in the surrounding area , including Vallejo in particular , well-known for its guesthouse and accommodation-for-rent facilities .

So ,at that time , one presumes that Lake Herman Road picked up on its '' busy-ness '' at commuting hours ( ? ) .

Not least , that '' 1968-1970 '' tends to mirror the '' coming of the Zodiac '' , quite closely .

robyne

8/27/2020 08:05:26 am

Try to narrow the list further by looking for a "timothy"/"tim" among the workers of such businesses. that's the name of the zodiac by his own hints ("victom" is his only always-misspelled word and he's quoting tim holt issue 30 as a clue to his name in the Halloween card).

Richard

8/27/2020 08:29:47 am

You could look for Timothy or Tim to narrow the list, but that would be presuming Timothy or Tim is the name of Zodiac, which we don't know it is. Searching for this name based on the misspelling of victim to victom, has to be shown that this was in any way intentional with respect to a name. Gleaning a name from the Zodiac communications has many problems. Because many names have been derived from the Zodiac communications over the years, we would first have to conclude which was the correct one, before narrowing the list we are looking at. This in essence, has made the problem longer. Unless we contend that one name is certainly the correct one, which we cannot do.

Richard

8/6/2020 09:58:55 am

Another pertinent question would be, did Pierre Bidou pass the turnout when he arrived at The Cottage for the drugs bust. Did he arrive from the Vallejo or Benicia end? If he and his partner arrived from Benicia, he would have passed the turnout when heading to The Cottage. David Faraday and Betty Lou were in the turnout at 10:15 pm according to Helen Axe. A Pierre Bidou being dispatched from Benicia PD, would have to have left at 10:07 pm or thereabouts to have missed the couple in the turnout. But would a drugs bust have really lasted about an hour? If he arrived from Benicia at say 10:50 pm, then either the couple weren't there, or he failed to notice them again.

Richard

8/6/2020 10:08:51 am

"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".

Was David Faraday constantly shifting the Rambler, or had he just arrived and was pulling in and settling his position. Witnesses at Hogan High claimed Faraday & Jensen left the school at 10 pm, and the LHR turnout was approximately 15 minutes away.

Mr Grumpy

8/6/2020 11:51:09 am

With such a tight timeline it seems reasonable to conclude that the Zodiac must have been observing the turnout in order to ambush his victims. So that kind of leads me to wonder how many scouting expeditions did he undertake that were unsuccessful. It seems that there are very few if any accounts of possible Zodiac encounters put forward by other potential victims. The tight timelines of all the known crimes seem to indicate that he was lucky beyond belief to have pulled them off.

8/6/2020 11:46:33 am

Very difficult to make sense of the movement of the car in different directions.

My guess is that the young couple were nervous and too self-conscious about their romantic behaviour in full view of passing vehicles on Lake Herman Road. Faraday was probably trying to position the Rambler in a way where he and Jensen could be as discreet as possible. But that's only a guess.

8/7/2020 10:10:40 am

Don't you dare allow Mr Grumpy to suppress you. You are allowed to freely express yourself Mo. He is one of these prudes that has to control others. To uncover the ID
of a killer is not the job for the faint-hearted. Serial killers don't play by the rules. But puritans like Mr. Grumpy insists that we go about this dirty deal with out hands tied behind our backs. We have been playing nice for fifty years. Where's that got us?
Only those that don't really care about identifying the killer/s require fairness. Notice how when you showed him respect he showed none in return. It is really about him.

Cragle

8/6/2020 01:36:44 pm

I’ve always wondered if the moving of the car could have been due to Betty Lou. We know she was a secret smoker. Could Faraday have possibly moved to car to the side which was a lot less visible to traffic from Vallejo to enable Betty Lou to have a cigarette without having to leave the car. Then when she was done moved back to the position which enabled them to see approaching traffic from both directions.

Also the hunters mentioned the “activity” at the pump house. So for them to notice this it must have been a rare occurrence and we know that at least one vehicle exited from the gate that night, could to car have to have been moved to allow someone access to the gate.

Richard

8/6/2020 02:32:14 pm

The only gate activity was reported by Bingo Wesner about 10:00 pm while he was checking the sheep ie: the white Chevrolet Impala parked up. No activity regarding the gate documented after this. Wesner never saw the Rambler.

The Rambler almost certainly wasn't on the east side when Bidou passed. If they had moved back towards the eastern side willingly after this, then they would have parked just past the centre of the turnout, because it was found quite a distance from the eastern edge in a rather unusual position, based upon the police measurements from the telegraph pole. I've measured it and it places the Rambler near centre of the turnout, even based on the turnout dimensions in 1968.

Richard

8/6/2020 02:35:59 pm

As for the smoking, I don't know. Would David's mother have allowed smoking in the vehicle. BLJ could have just exited the vehicle to have a blast. She had a nice thick coat in the rear.

Drew

8/6/2020 04:43:25 pm

If the Faradays weren't smokers and it was too cold to keep the windows down exiting the car for a smoke makes sense. I think if Betty Lou stepped out for a cigarette that David would join her. If they did so on the dark West bank that could explain why passing motorists saw their car empty. Maybe Zodiac got out for one as well and that's why he wasn't seen either.

Richard

8/6/2020 02:51:20 pm

Why did Zodiac usher the kids out at LHR and not BRS. Was it a case of taunting and "hunting" his victims - and did something go wrong that made him change tactics at BRS. He learnt from hanging up the phone between BRS and LB, so was it the same between the first two crimes?

Drew

8/6/2020 03:39:46 pm

Hi Richard, I think Zodiac may have learned several things from the Lake Herman Road attack. Here are my suggestions:

1) flashlight approach really does make people think you are police;
2) if you park next to the victim he will move his car, so park right behind them next time so they can't drive away;
2) if you let them out of the car they will run away and even with a flashlight on your gun that can be tricky;
3) without a motive small town cops can't solve a murder, so next time give them a call and let them know what kind of gun you used;
4) there is a lot of traffic even at 11 o'clock, try a bit later next time;
5) news cycle for an unsolved small town double murder even with white victims is only a couple of months, better shorten the time between publicity stunts;
6) partners don't let you taunt the cops, so go solo next time.
Yeah, I know I have 2 number 2s and I ain't fixin' it!

Thanks for the read Richard

Richard

8/6/2020 04:03:39 pm

Sounds like you'd make a good serial killer Drew. Is (6) the suggestion of two killers?

Drew

8/6/2020 04:26:16 pm

Thanks for saying so Richard! Yes, I was half-joking and I'm not sure about 2 shooters, but two people in the car at LHR has some traction with me for a few reasons, many of which you have touched on:
Crow's testimony; he didn't send a letter for over seven month even though doing it for media attention is still the only motive we can imagine; description in early August letter about spraying them like a hose despite this not being the case with David. Perhaps it is not the most likely scenario considering the rest of the case but since the incomplete ballistics information can't disprove the theory I still consider it.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/6/2020 03:07:54 pm

Everyone that takes an interest , will have their own interpretations . For LHR , its 99% certain for me , that the Zodiac painted it as a robbery , to David and Betty Lou . And , when instructed to get out of their car , on the Zodiac's side , David had the foresight to avail his gold ring , as the only item of value that either of the couple possessed .

Cold , heartless Zodiac - he shot David , just as David was completing his extrication from his vehicle - and Betty Lou bolted immediately - but to no avail .

Richard

8/6/2020 04:06:54 pm

Odd how he referenced the murders Rubislaw, saying "All I had to do was spray them as if it was a water hose; there was no need to use the gun sights". Especially when David was clinically murdered from point blank range. He used "spray them".

Rubislaw 32 link

8/6/2020 04:18:41 pm

Yes , I had almost forgotten the spraying inference , Richard .

Looks like the '' spraying '' was actually a bullet into the midnight air ; one into the roof of David's vehicle , and one into a vehicle window .

Would that be three bullets '' sprayed '' ( ? ) , in order to get David and Betty Lou ' s attention .

8/6/2020 03:09:57 pm

Exactly

He was evolving towards becoming a better & better criminal as opposed to

the typical serial killer degenerating until he gets too sloppy & gets caught

Rubislaw 32 link

8/7/2020 12:20:58 am

A brave statement , BB , but true I think .

And believe that there was a bit more input into the Presidio Heights '' project '' , than meets the eye . A part of it , that was actually designed to stick the bird up , at the cops specifically .

What I believe I have seen of his ciphers work , also leads me to conclude that he got better and better at them . Albeit a gap of no ciphers , between 1971 and 1988 (...so we have been led to believe , anyway...)

Scorpion's '' S5 '' cipher really did give me a thrill , within the context of what we are studying . A '' tour de force '' .

Scott

8/6/2020 03:22:53 pm

Couple of comments. I've been to the site at night; even now it's isolated and very dark. In 1968 when California's population was half of it what was now it would have been even more so. It's difficult for me to characterize the road as carrying a "constant stream of traffic" at 11 pm as someone says above.

The Rambler definitely moved if one accepts statements of the various passerbys. But don't forget the temperature--about 18 degrees (-7C). Faraday may have been starting the car to rekindle its heater (which of course doesn't fully explain why he was also moving it.) The road bends near the turn out which provides some cover for an amorous couple. I don't think the movement necessarily was for secrecy.

LHR is one of those things you have experience to get the true feeling. It was a lover's lane for a reason.

Judith

8/6/2020 08:31:15 pm

Yes Scott.
I lived in the East Bay Area for 25 years and the Lake Herman Road area is still remote.
I once created a timeline of the activities that evening however, and it seems there was a tremendous amount of coming and goings.
If I'm not mistaken, based on witness accounts, Zodiac had a 2 to 3 minute timeframe with which to pull in, Kill the kids and leave.
Unless of course, he was hunting in the field. and watching and observing, even after the police showed up.

MR Grumpy

8/8/2020 05:24:58 am

Probably a little more than normal activity due to the season of the year. How about this scenario? Within the framework of this timeline it is highly unlikely that Mr Z. would have had time to drive by the turnout, spot the Rambler pull in and then commit the crime. What if he entered the turnout and was waiting for potential victims to enter later? Another option was that he had a position from which he could stake out the turnout unseen, and then enter after observing the Rambler. He could have also parked his car in the turnout,vacated the auto and hid in the darkness and walked back in after his prey entered.

Judith

8/7/2020 08:11:41 am

I write in my book, "Tit Willow" by Judith Chapman, about my last few days with Peter. During a frightening 4 Day episode, Peter at one point took me out into the darkness up at Lake Shasta. He said, " I want to show you something." He had taped a small flashlight to the barrel of his .22 rifle. And he showed me the circle of light it made in the trees when he pointed it in the Darkness. There was a dark black circle in the center of the circle of light. He said, "all you have to do is point and spray." He held guns and rifles on me in front of our two young children over those days. We escaped in the dark.

35SweetGoodbyes

8/8/2020 04:50:17 am

Was the Benicia man (mentioned by Officer Butterbach at the beginning of TITZS) who was late getting home from Lake Berryessa possibly the Zodiac? Or could the Zodiac have been the one to report the man "missing"?

As with so much of this case, it's likely impossible to know at this point.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/8/2020 05:24:15 am

Hi 35SweetGoodbyes . Perhaps you are referring to Wilbur Thompson ( ? ) , who witnessed a man walk into Moskowite Corners cafe , on September 29th 1969 , asking : '' Which is the fastest road out of here ? ''. The man seemed in a hurry , and left in a powder-blue , two-door hard top motorcar .

Sadly , before Thompson was able to spend time with police , going through potential suspect photos , he was killed in a freak tradesman's accident .

Have you seen Voigt's covid-19 mask ? He will be producing Z340 tea-towels , next .

Richard

8/8/2020 07:46:21 am

How do you square this Rubislaw. On July 10th 2020, Tom wrote a lengthy article extoling the character of Michael Butterfield, stating "NOTE: I've allowed this issue to be one-sided for far too long. Initially, my approach was to ignore the personal attacks directed at me by Mike Butterfield. However, he has now spent almost a dozen years dishonestly smearing both my name and my website. God knows how many people have been duped by this jealous and spiteful wanna-be author. But now, ironically, one virus (Corona) has given me the necessary time to deal with another virus (Butterfield).
http://zodiackiller.com/MikeButterfield.html

Then I go to Tom's home page and see "Make sure to check out" (big banner advertising Michael Butterfield's site). Is there a contadiction here? Or is it really about money?

35SweetGoodbyes

8/8/2020 04:53:02 pm

Hi Rubislaw! I'm not aware of the "Thompson" incident. Sounds interesting. But why would Zodiac be asking for "directions" 2 days after LB attacks?

I have always been curious about the reference to the "man who fishes at LB...who wasn't home" at the beginning of the 2007 documentary.

No, I havent seen the covid masks or tea towels ;) LOL!

Rubislaw 32 link

8/8/2020 05:38:08 pm

It's an interesting question , 35SweetGoodbyes , and as ex-Highway Patrol Officer Lyndon Lafferty had highlighted in his book , the police were keen to speak with Thompson , but after priorities of initial investigations were complete .

The inference appears to be , that the Zodiac may have decided to re-visit the vicinity of the crime scene , to see what the cops might be up to ( ? ) . Possibly from more of a voyeuristic angle , but may be even considering leaving some red herring clue , or similar ( ? ) .

Now , had it been the Zodiac , and he had got himself lost , he could have attracted suspicion from any police , in the area .

Lafferty seems to portray it as a '' lost opportunity '' . But realistically , perhaps only speculative ( ? ) .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/8/2020 11:06:45 am

I think its mostly about how Mr.Voigt wishes how he himself should be perceived , Richard . And , this can change , from day to day .

He doesn't like some of the more truthful things that Butterfield has said , but wants to come across as fair-minded and not mean , in taking the time to criticise Butterfield , in return .

It seems that Voigt's Achilles Heel , when out and about in the Zodiac internet , is plugging his own site ...as if he is just putting in an appearance for the money . So , a plug for Butterfield's site may be just to show that he actually has no gripe , in a commercial sense , either .

Butterfield's site has become a bit of a dinosaur . Little or no activiity - but still a living testament to some more '' jarring '' aspects of reality , referring to a few , such as Voigt and Ms.Betts , in unfavourable terms .

None of the three of them have a drop of genuine humour , between them , which is what is most unforgivable of all .

How would they ever know the Zodiac , if they ever actually came across him ?

Rubislaw 32 link

8/9/2020 04:16:37 pm

Well , at least Ms.Betts is holding Voigt to the sword now , over Blaine Blaine bothering Narlow about the culpability of Gaikowski . And , that Voigt took little interest at the time , on account of Voigt believing that Arthur Leigh Allen was the Zodiac .

Voigt : '' I have no reason to doubt what Sandy tells me ''

Words that can come back to haunt ( ? ) .

Rubislaw 32 link

8/9/2020 09:42:36 pm

Easy for those to moan , when they don't have to constantly put up with Voigt's duplicity ?

Three days ago :

Voigt : '' I'm not on Reddit , even though half the world believe otherwise .''

Recently , I had to go out of my way to make representations , on account of Voigt impersonating me , at Reddit . Currently , Voigt holds at least one account ,as '' FrancescoAmic1 '' . One can only call him out , as he appears .

Lies , deceit and embellishment - it means nothing to him .

Ms.Betts : '' I have never known Tom to make up a lie .''

The '' Punch and Judy Show '' is still on show , when Voigt sails a little too close to the wind .

Butterfield will never be forgiven .

8/11/2020 03:24:56 pm

The Bates ranch is near Gilroy, Ca.

I wonder if they are related to CJB

I know it is a long shot - But if so it would explain things.

One thing is Hartnell said the killer spoke with a southern accent.

RFK was staying at the Bates Ranch the night Monroe died.

There is a revenge feeling to the CJB murder that needs to be explored.

CJB's father worked in Corona Ca - and - Sir Han Sir Han was there too.

Just a remote chance I know.

THE EDGE OF DARKNESS

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