ZODIAC CIPHERS
Richard Grinell, Coventry, England
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THE FOOTPRINTS AT BERRYESSA

7/22/2018

 
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At 4.20 pm on September 28th 1969 'Dean' from Pacific Union College contacted the Napa County Sheriff's Office and informed police that three young women from the college had been sunbathing by Lake Berryessa the day of the stabbings, outlining the girls recollections of a suspicious man in the vicinity who appeared to be watching them for a prolonged period. One of the women recalled a man watching them from the edge of the trees for approximately 30 minutes, before the subject came down by the beach and passed within 20 feet.
 

Sergeant Kenneth Narlow dispatched Deputy Sheriff Raymond Land to interview the girls that evening. The following morning (September 29th) he reported his findings to his superiors. At 2.45 pm that day, the three young girls came to the police department and were interviewed by Sergeant Lonergan, Sergeant Snook and Captain Donald Townsend. A sketch of the suspicious man was ultimately created from the three girls recollections. To this day, nobody knows for sure if this was the Zodiac Killer preparing for an attack on the young girls, before abandoning his plans and switching his attention to Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard some two hours later.

'Dean' contacted police at 4.20 pm, about 22 hours after the double stabbing by the lake. Had Deputy Sheriff Raymond Land and/or his superiors acted immediately after he interviewed the girls, and had took them back to the location where they saw the suspicious man standing/walking, then they could have compared the many boot prints leading from Bryan Hartnell's vehicle to the crime scene and back, with the boot prints of the suspicious man. This may have given us a definitive answer on whether the murderer of Cecelia Shepard and the suspicious man were one and the same. It would also have given much more credence to the Lake Berryessa sketch over the Presidio Heights sketch, bearing in mind the length of time they viewed the man in daylight hours. 
 
The police report stated "When they left their car they noticed a subject driving a late model silver blue Chevrolet, 2-door sedan, pull up behind them. What appeared to be a white male adult was sitting in the vehicle. They did not observe this subject leave the vehicle. The girls proceeded to the beach area and were sunbathing in their bikinis. After approximately one-half hour had passed, they observed what appeared to be the same subject standing within 40 or 50 feet of them, apparently observing them." They described him to be 28-30 years of age during their interview at the police station. However, the day before, according to 'Dean', they had "described the subject as approximately 40 years old." If this were truly their initial recollections, it would place the subjects age bang in the center of the revised descriptions given by the eyewitnesses at Presidio Heights. The uncertainty in both crimes may represent the difficulty in pinning an accurate age on this subject, if of course, the subject at Lake Berryessa described by the three women, was in fact the Zodiac Killer.  

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In the October 1st 1969 San Francisco Chronicle article, police stated "there were a couple of things we're still holding back so we'll be able to identify the man if he wants to call us again." This may be a subtle reference to the two words "by knife" written on the car door, which they withheld from the newspapers. Had a caller contacted the police and answered the question of what the full message contained, it would be an easy and quick way of ruling out the crank calls. 

The October 1st 1969 Vallejo Evening News Chronicle, contained three paragraphs of great interest. It stated "Vallejo police were investigating a Vallejo man who was previously convicted of accosting "lovers lane" couples - and wore a hood while doing so. While his molestations did not involve shooting or stabbing his victims, he has a streak of violence in him, police said. And his criminal activities resembled those of the slayer of four young persons.  
This man is much older than descriptions of the killer. However, it was pointed out that fat-faced people often look much younger than their years. His general physical description tallied with that of the hunted man, officers said."
​

We must also remember that the Paul Stine murder was just 10 days in the making, in which eyewitnesses would ultimately settle on a man described as 35-45 years of age, older than currently believed. One can't help thinking that a great opportunity was missed at Lake Berryessa. Had the boot prints of the subject viewed by the three girls matched the boot prints from the Lake Berryessa crime scene, it would have cast a very different light on the Presidio Heights sketch of the Zodiac Killer and changed our perceptions to this day.

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 03:00:56 am

Very interesting article,and this area of study is always worth a mention.

Not least,because much of it is unsubstantiated,and open to differing interpretation.

It is my understanding that ,with the three young ''potential'' witnesses,that two of the women claimed ''28-30'',with the remaining one,claiming ''approximately 40''.

Undoubtedly,or at least ought to have been the case,that the women would have been interviewed separately....before possibly being interviewed together.

So,an interesting collection of observations,then.

Narlow was subsequently given permission,in the days following ''Lake Berryessa'' to carry out a series of tests on ''feet depression'',at various specific locations of the beauty spot,employing officers of varying weights and heights,to assist him.

His conclusion was that Zodiac must have been a much taller than average man.But,how many minor rainfalls might have taken place,at night,in that time,for example.No guarantee on identical ground conditions,perhaps a relevant point [?].

We know that Bryan was ''vague'',but honestly vague about his height assessment.Not only did he only ever converse with Zodiac,at [Bryan's] ground level,but....Bryan is a veritable ''giant'',at at least 6ft 8in,and by his own admision,was always used to ''just'' always looking over people,anyway.

I believe that a continuing,and recurring ''theme'' is that Zodiac was ''burly'',and prone to put on weight.But ''age'' and ''height'' remaining forever,in dispute.

Personally,I believe that Zodiac was about ''25'',and a bigger man than some might perceive.Immensely physically strong,but no ''jock''.

''Ape like'',but standing reasonably upright,though a feet or leg problem,might have caused him to walk with a bit of a shuffle.

Inelegant [?].

Richard
7/23/2018 04:25:04 am

There was no rain in the immediate days around the crime, so any footprints generated should still have been present the following evening. My guess is (and I don't know for certain) that the police simply failed to attempt to corroborate the footprints from the crime scene to the girls sighting. They also failed to secure the crime scene by bundling all the evidence up into a 'box' and destroying or contaminating evidence that could have been useful in any future proceedings. The Zodiac could be anywhere from 25-45, we will likely never know. If Donald Fouke's description is to be believed, then we have a man graying at the rear, which is usually indicative of somebody post 30, but obviously there are always exceptions to this aging process.
What interests me at the moment Rubislaw is the mysteries within the mysteries, particularly the "by knife" reference involving the Halloween card and possibly Fairfield letter. We both differ on our perceptions of the 340 cipher- you obviously believe a solution because of your efforts, whereas I believe currently it contains no solution. That isn't a problem, we can agree to disagree like grown adults, without resorting to insults. But we both know there is something big we're all missing. I read recently some of the discoveries we will have answers to when Michael Cole releases his Zodiac book 'The Zodiac Revisited'. This will be the first Zodiac book I will ever purchase because I totally respect his opinions on the Zodiac case and he is neutral on all suspects, which means his thoughts on the case should be untainted by bias. He shouldn't be fitting square pegs into round holes like suspect driven books. But, bearing in mind my recent fascination with Tahoe's comic book and 340 scepticism, what he wrote at the foot of his book promo has really peaked my interest.
I totally agree with his statement that "much of the conventional wisdom regarding the case is wrong." Fifty years of myths and popularized versions of the Zodiac Killer and his crimes have become Zodiac fact. But he goes on to table some of the discoveries we may learn. Some we may or may not agree with, but my guess is that they will be well constructed and formulated ideas or proposals.
Number 2 peaked my interest
1 Which three clues are the key to understanding the killer's actions
2. Why the killer wrote "by knife" at one of his crime scenes
3. What the killer was trying to communicate through the use of a Bay Area map
4. Which clue reveals the real meaning behind the killer's self-assigned name
5. What evidence suggests the man began his murderous exploits in Southern California
6. What insight can be gleaned from the Zodiac's four cryptograms
Now, I highly doubt the answer to number 2 is because the Zodiac Killer used a knife- that would surely too obvious and wouldn't be a great discovery as his intro "In The Zodiac Revisited book you'll discover" suggested. I may be way off base, but number 2 suggests that there is a bigger reason why Zodiac chose "by knife". My earlier suggestion that Zodiac likely created the 340 cipher from the Tim Holt comic book may not be everybody's cup of tea, but looking at Michael Cole's book cover, he carries the four methods of death on it. So, is Michael Cole suggesting that Zodiac wrote "by knife" on the car door with the comic book in mind as early as September 1969, or is my mind running away with itself.
http://zodiacrevisited.com/the-zodiac-revisited-book/

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 05:09:54 am

Thanks for your feedback,Richard,and I will have a good mull over your points.

Just for now,I think it really is important to accept the Fairfield letters,of December 1969,as authentic Zodiac.

They simply have too much going for them,and how they fit into a relatively short timescale.

I accepted them a long time ago,but felt that it might be an arrogance ''too far'',to start accusing people of being ''daft'' [!],if they couldn't see the two letters [...with ''Bleeding Knife'' etching..],as being genuine.

What I find frustrating,is spending my thinking time,trying to figure out,why the CA DOJ,assisted by the FBI,elected ''not'' to authenticated them.

Tahoe27
7/23/2018 09:23:20 am

In never quite understood how some think the Fairfield letter(s) is authentic. I enjoy reading others perspectives about it, but still scratch my head. When did Zodiac start using zip codes? Also, "the bleeding knife of Zodiac"...in the third person? Seems odd. Lined paper? I think someone was fascinated with the guy, and better fakers (out of apparently hundreds) rose to the top. Just my take. ;)

I gave up on reading Zodiac books a long time ago, but Michael Cole's is one I will definitely be reading!

Richard
7/23/2018 10:35:34 am

Until about a year ago Tahoe I believed the Fairfield letters were poor Zodiac imitations, and notably contained no shirt pieces as did the communications either side of them. What triggered a change for me, is the rudimentary coding on the letter- never meant to be solved by conventional means. Because I believe the Halloween card mirrors the 340, it was your By Fire, By Gun, By Rope and By Knife that first started convincing me the Tim Holt comic was used to construct the 340. The Fairfield letter was a rudimentary clue, before he eventually gave us the Halloween card saying "sorry no cipher".
The Fairfield letter has five symbols followed by the 4 same symbols around the crosshairs. The Death wheel from the comic is actually Death By Fire, Death By Gun, Death By Rope and Death By Knife, leading me to believe the 5 symbols on the Fairfield letter represents Death and the 4 same symbols around the crosshairs represent the four methods of death. Not to mention his drawing of a knife with 8 drops of blood falling from it, representing the 8 victims he is claiming to date. There may also be a connection to Sergeant Jack Richard Oller, an investigator in the Fairfield office of the sheriff's department.

Sigmund
7/26/2018 05:30:45 pm

I have always felt the Fairfield letters were interesting. I can never quite make up my mind about them. Sometimes I think they must be fake, but other times there does seem to be a near tangible connection with the other Zodiac communications. I cannot rule them out entirely.

The Celebrity Cipher is also intriguing. There is something about the ironic solution (being "Wlad Liberace" addressed to be "in his room" and therefore not quite out of the closet) which subtly links it back to Avery's article attempting to "out" the Zodiac as a latent homosexual. Granted the Celebrity Cipher was probably made in jest by some anonymous person, but clearly this person had a very witty sense of humor! The way the humor was based on the criminal exploits of a serial killer, does however considerably darken the humor and implies a possibly more sinister connection.

Welsh Chappie
7/29/2018 08:28:20 am

"At 2.45 pm that day, the three young girls came to the police department and were interviewed by Sergeant Lonergan, Sergeant Snook and Captain Donald Townsend."

Sgt! Sgt Sneek! The witnesses were giving they statement to Zodiac, if Mr Horan is to be believed anyway. "Afternoon Ladies, I'm the Sgt. & also, Your secret Hal! Now then, what did you see Forty-Eight shory Hours ago?"

Didn't He sign the statement took:

Sgt. Zodiac! Secret Pal Hal Sneeky-Snook?

He was in on a Z conspiracy wasn't He, He would have to be, nobody will dare debate the claimant/source of this theory and poor Michael Morf did try on the radio but was shut down with most ease! Well, if not being able to get a word in edgeways and ignored and dismissed when you do counts as losing a debate, then Mike lost the debate. . . Emphatically!

Sigmund
7/29/2018 05:00:52 pm

T'is a theory, that be sure!

If we presume for a second that the person seen by the three girls in broad daylight for a considerable length of time was the same person as the killer, surely they would have instantly realized that Sgt. Snook was the same person?

So, if it be true that Snook was Zodiac, that means Zodiac was not the same person seen at the lake by the three girls?

Alex Lewis
8/13/2018 02:46:36 am

Well, to be honest, Hal Snooks hand printing in that statement he took has to remain the closest matching writing style to Zodiac's printing I have yet to see / come across.

I am not even going to say I would be at an amateur level of competence to give an opinion on questioned documents etc, I am just giving a personal opinion based on having spent countless hours studying Zodiac's letters that I am confident of picking out his handwriting in amongst 20 similar, but not genuine Z, communications.

I remember the first time I saw the statement taken by Half, I hAd to look twice to confirm it was a statement taken down by Snook & not a Z communication I had d never seen.

However, this would never be enough to get a grand Jury indictment of Hal, let alone a potential conviction so that is the reality of this as evidence in terms of its usability as evidence.

Sigmund
8/13/2018 05:45:53 am

Just had a look at the handwriting. Definitely similar but not the same individual as the Zodiac IMHO. The resemblance in form is only superficial I think, and probably the result of the similar education system of a similar aged male adult from California. I have seen that particular writing style many times from different individuals. Yes there are similarities but there are also just as many differences. The rhythm and flow of pen strokes are different to those made by Z as far as I can determine. I am of course not a professional handwriting expert, if there even is such a thing, so I could be completely wrong. That is the thing with handwriting analysis. It often comes down to gut feelings as much as (more than?) science. I do know one thing: simply comparing selected letters is not the correct method of analysis. And of course you will always get people who will argue that Snook tried to alter his handwriting so it did not look quite so obvious and this accounts for any differences, etc.. I guess the fact that such a theory is at least plausible is what will continue to attract people to it. If by some chance Snook was Z, it stands to reason he must have disguised his identity on the day the 3 girls saw him. Or he was lucky and they were actually seeing some other random visitor who just happened to stop by the lake that day.

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 04:49:22 am

I just thought I would post this truthful set of circumstances,which is not ''unrelated'' to the Zodiac case.

If only to engender some more thoughts,of your readers,Richard.

A ''bereaved of victim'' had been posting on a site,for a few years,and eventually,understandably perhaps,started looking around for more potential suspects,to the murder in question.

The poster started homing in,on one of the lead investigating officers,as having a likeness to the presumed likeness of the perpetrator.

One of the key factors of ''persuasion'' was perceived height of the perpetrator,and the investigating officer,in the case.

In both cases,about 6ft 5in.

The investigating officer had been killed in a road accident,a number of years earlier,and his family were becoming upset at this person,for,in effect,accusing their loved lost one [....the police officer..].

Subsequently,the bereaved person was to receive ''new'' information,from a District Attorney's office,indicating that the murder suspect,was thought to be,between 5ft 8in and 5ft.10in.

A big difference,to 6ft 5in.

As a consequence,the bereaved person,no longer accuses the deceased investigating officer,of being the perpetrator.

If,may I suggest,there is one basic moral to this story,it is that :

The weight of a person can always change.But the height of a person is,largely,an ''immovable'' fact.

[...And of course,the ''authorities'' have the power,to make ''height'' seem different,for public consumption.....if they so choose....].

Richard
7/23/2018 05:55:55 am

I certainly have nothing against persons with suspects- everybody is entitled to their opinion. Naturally when somebody writes a book on a particular suspect, the whole book is obviously tailored to selling us the notion this person is Zodiac- that is the idea of the book. What the book will never do is list the things that raise doubt on their suspect. A sort of for and against. So the book is inherently selling a story, the same as writing an article to present a certain perspective on a crime. Judith, Mike and Robert Graysmith are perfectly entitled to their beliefs on who the killer was, it's just that I don't follow these paths.

Richard
7/23/2018 06:13:50 am

Certainly, weight can fluctuate dramatically, and although height isn't a constant with extreme aging, it is a relatively good indicator over the lifetime of Zodiac, which is why I have a hard time with Ross Sullivan.
6'3" in shoes and never placed within a 100 miles of any crime scene- and currently he is flavour of the year since the History Channel. Imagine the footprints from Berryessa matching, then the sketch designed by the 3 girls would wipe away the likeness factor of Sullivan next to the PH sketch. All we are then left with is the library.
Height was often overlooked by the investigators in the History Channel docudrama when it didn't suit, but certainly mentioned regarding Lawrence Kane. Height is a useful identification tool when you have a 6'2" description and a 5'2" suspect, but the Zodiac consensus is generally given as 5'8"-5'10". A few inches can be misidentified but a foot or more highly unlikely, especially through several eyewitnesses. The "hair" descriptions of Zodiac are also equally controversial, but hair is even more changeable than weight. The brown hair visible by the eyelets at Berryessa under the mask is likely more representative of Zodiac's general hair colour and style than the hair described at Presidio Heights, because Zodiac thought he had concealed his entire identity.

Richard
7/23/2018 06:28:40 am

That is why the hair style of the three girls description, is more akin to the hair described by Bryan Hartnell. The hairstyle of the Berryessa sketch looks long on top, swept back or to the side. Placing a hood over your head might certainly drag the hair towards the eyeholes of the mask. This wouldn't have occurred with a short cropped hairstyle depicted a PH, suggesting he changed his hairstyle between crimes. Or, as Tahoe suggests, they may have been separate individuals. The third possibility is a duo of perpetrators.

Sigmund
7/26/2018 06:04:39 pm

"Books inherently sell a story". Very well said!

Yes, and their authors quickly become salespeople, because after they write it, they then have to sell it.

Most big publishing houses treat Zodiac stories like a very hot potato. They will not touch them. So the authors must self-publish. This costs a great deal of money which an author must try to recoup. If their presentation (i.e. book) is not very sound or has been filled with lots of presumptions (most Zodiac books are!) the authors stand to not only lose money but also their credibility. In face of this they often become aggressive salespeople with a "me" and "them" mentality, who try to fight fire with fire. When it comes to playing "dangerous games", selling a story is perhaps the most "dangerous game" of all. If anyone thinks they can find fame by writing a story about the Zodiac, they would be wise to think again.

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 09:36:16 am

Well Tahoe 27,if you are in denial of the man who wrote on Bryan's door,being the Zodiac....that would be a ''starter for five'',that you don't believe in the Zodiac authenticity of the Fairfield letters.

The 4 major attacks being the work of one Zodiac,and confirmed by L.E.,underpins the whole case.

If,as you do,stand against this basic and essential premise,which constitutes the whole case,then you,by inference....elect to loose the plot.

Tahoe27
7/26/2018 10:41:54 am

Hi Rubislaw--

Here is a link to my reasoning. Again, not trying to convince anyone, but so many seem bothered by my questioning things ;)

http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=3724

Richard
7/23/2018 06:30:57 am

Anyway, I'll let somebody else have their say, I'm sick of hearing my own text!

Rubislaw 32 link
7/26/2018 12:14:51 pm

Thanks Tahoe 27,and I'll be sure to check it out.

It's not a crime,of course [!],to go a little off ''the beaten track'',on convention,but it can become worrying,when some choose to a ''path'',in the face of basic premises,confirmed by official L.E. findings.

There are a number of instances,where L.E.,and the CA DOJ,in particular,misrepresent facts,for reasons known to themselves...so it is hardly surprising that accurate interpretation,can become a sport,of ''open season'' proportions.

I promise to read carefully,and thank you.

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 06:40:02 am

Indeed,truisms that are close to indisputable.

And may I add that Judith,Mike and Robert Graysmith do add something for taking this particular course.And risk ridicule,by putting their heads above the parapet.

My general thoughts are that everything can be written,when the case is solved,though I may consider a book on the ciphers,alone.

The here and now is about unearthing anything that might contribute to solving the case.

I do also sympathise with Ms.Betts,in that because she believes,so passionately in her suspect,herself,that she fears anything that she perceives,that might contribute to him being overlooked,by the authorities.

There is little chance of him being overlooked [!],and I hope Judith,if you are reading,that you understand the same.

I'm done,I think,giving the authorities a hard time....some of it,I believe deserved.

It is the judiciary that have the real power,and are virtually ''uncontactable'',as well as ''untouchable''.

So,given the knowledge of a liaison police officer's relationship with a Department of Justice,I wasn't going to miss a trick,at putting across my views.Particularly,with respect to their treatment of the bereaved of victims.

It's exhausting,but at least I am satisfied that ''the judiciary'' are in full knowledge of the facts.

Though they only tend to roll out the red carpet,when human rights lawyers come calling....what will be,will be.

The unknown time factor,is the ''killer''.

For all of us,I think [?].

Judith
7/23/2018 07:12:50 am

Coulda Woulda Shoulda as Peter used to say. Yes I have opened myself up for ridicule and quite frankly potential danger. I have also been kicked off of Mr Butterfield's website, Mr Morford's website and Mr. Voight's web site. They did not like my suspect or my continued belief that Peter is the Zodiac Killer. That is their prerogative. No one in my personal life, particularly those people who knew Peter, have I ever questioned my story, my beliefs, my experiences.
Or the fact that Peter could possibly be the Zodiac Killer. Not my husband, not my own father and stepmother, not my children with with Peter, not Peter's best friends, no member of my family, not my sister who used to hang out with Peter during the Zodiac days. So I have a lot of support on a personal level. I also have a relationship with God who saw me through 20 years of terrorism and sleeping next to a killer. I am a survivor. And Peter is dead. Hopefully we will know soon...

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 08:53:41 am

Gosh,I didn't realise,Judith,that you had been removed from three of the largest sites.

I have never tried to join those sites,and would not presume that they would have me,anyway.

Richard's site is the best for exchange of information,talking heads and general immediacy....not least great information [...thank you,Richard...].

If you joined Ricardo Gomez's zodiackillermystery.freeforums.net ,then you could create your own thread,especially for posts regarding Peter,Judith [?].

For size to ''turnstile'' ratio,it's consistently the most successful.''We'' are like a quiet and ''ordered'' library.Part of the ''mystery'' is the members,themselves [!].

I am sure that Ricardo would be happy to have you.He just doesn't like anyone bickering.....understandably.

Indeed,hopefully we will hear soon.I think that the very earliest is October...but that would be the beginning of the ''unravelling'',and many might not cotton on to the thread of it all,for a while,anyway.

That would be ''absolute optimism'',unfortunately.

Sigmund
7/26/2018 05:39:05 pm

In a perfect world, nothing should be entirely discounted or ruled out. The thing is, unless he was a complete loner, which is virtually impossible, somebody must have known the Zodiac killer. The problem as I see it is too many people have come forward claiming to have known the identity of the Zodiac killer and this has created a "Little Boy Who Cried Wolf" dilemma for the authorities. Writing about it on forums is probably not going to resolve the killer's identity, and sadly, may ever be counter-productive. (I do not mean to sound as though I am trying to put you off! This is just a sad fact of life.) Only law enforcement can provide you with the answers you seek. I can only hope, Judith, that you are regular contact with LE people who are taking your claims seriously and digging away relentlessly in the background. One day the answer may be found and on that day you may not only feel vindicated, but also feel justice has been belatedly served.

Tahoe27
7/23/2018 10:21:21 am

While the girls siting would definitely be more valuable, there was also the man and his son who saw someone--I think was the same person who attacked Bryan and Cecelia. If not him, it would make 3 people of the same dress, and creepiness, lurking those hills.

The man and his son contacted officers first thing the next morning. Checking other footprints would have been an easy thing to do.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/zodiackillerfr/the-dr-and-his-son-t5550.html

Richard
7/23/2018 10:43:04 am

I agree that Dr Rayfield & Son saw the killer, almost certainly after the murder, and like you Tahoe, don't believe the killer's car was parked by the car of Bryan Hartnell. It was parked in the region where Dr Rayfield & Son were, possibly just beyond. This is why they described a shirt "with red in it". I think I know what the red was.

Sigmund
7/26/2018 09:31:23 pm

Richard, So you know if a description of the car which was possibly driven by the attacker was ever provided to the authorities by any of the witnesses at LB?

Sigmund
7/26/2018 09:34:43 pm

Duh! I just realized you had already posted this! "a late model silver blue Chevrolet, 2-door sedan". What I meant to ask is whether or not the dr and his son confirmed the description of the car?

I get the distinct impression that it was a very quiet couple of days at the lake and there were not very many people getting around?

Richard
7/26/2018 11:22:09 pm

This is what Napa County Sheriff's Department detective Ken Narlow said "Dr. Clifton Rayfield, an ophthalmologist, and his son, David, had parked their car four-fifths of a mile further up the road from Hartnell’s Karmann Ghia. Rayfield reported to me that at approximately 6:30 P.M. he and his son had parked their vehicle north of Park Headquarters . . . in the general area of the crime scene and walked down toward the beach. While en route Rayfield observed a WMA described as five feet ten inches, heavy build, wearing dark trousers and a long-sleeved dark shirt with red coloring. Rayfield and his son both stated that they had not observed a vehicle parked in the area of their car,”

The description of the car by the 3 girls:
#1. "A subject driving a late model silver-blue Chevrolet, 2-door sedan. This subject was described as 6' tall, weighing 200/210 pounds, muscular build, rather nice looking."
#2. "Vehicle described as a 1966 or 1967 light blue Chevrolet with California plates. Witness believes the vehicle was a 2-door sedan and described the headlights as long rather than round."
#3. "Subject was described as approximately 28 years of age, 6'1" to 6'2" tall, 200/225 lbs, black hair possibly styled, with a part on the left, rounded eyes, thin lips, medium nose, straight eyebrows, small ears, well built, rather nice looking."
#4. "Vehicle was described as a late model Chevrolet, sky blue in color. The rear taillights appeared to be long rather than round. She described the subject as 6' tall, stocky build, about 200 lbs, black short-sleeved sweater shirt, dark blue slacks, and straight dark hair neatly combed. She guessed his age at approximately 30 years."

Sigmund
7/27/2018 03:54:46 pm

Very detailed information! Thank you Richard.

Karen C
7/27/2018 04:18:48 pm

Goes without saying that we can presume an ophthalmologist should have good vision (?) :-))

Forgive me, I know we have been through all this before, but can someone please remind me exactly where the girls were situated in relation to Dr Rayfield and son? Also how were both situated in relation to the crime scene? I need a map!

Richard
7/27/2018 11:18:27 pm

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/zodiac-news/lake-berryessa-the-two-sightings

Tahoe27
7/28/2018 11:12:41 am

There is a good map that NIN created in my link above as well.

Karen C
7/28/2018 05:49:02 pm

Thanks Richard and Tahoe, I will check them out!

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 10:37:36 am

I understand.

Anything or anyone should have been of interest to investigating police,that day at Lake Berryessa.

I have read that,given it was an overcast day,and the beginning of Autumn,that only ten visitors in total,were reported as sighted,by the park rangers.

It's just a struggle to get past this confirmation,by official L.E.,that the attack,was one of four,in total,as the work of one person,known as ''The Zodiac''.

L.E. could only have come to this conclusion,by linking all 4 major attacks,with forensic evidence.

Therefore,it comes down to whether we are inclined to believe L.E.,or not.

Our ''faith'' has to start somewhere [?].

Sigmund
7/27/2018 04:41:25 pm

Yes indeed Rubislaw, we either presume the police were totally incompetent and clueless, or we give them the benefit of the doubt and rest assured in the knowledge that they must be in possession of evidence that has never been imparted in full to "we", the public. I think I know on which side my "faith" lies.

I have said it before, the amount "we", the public, actually know about this case has in all likelihood barely scratched the surface. I have seen non-truths reported and replicated online many times in relation to the Zodiac case and other cases. The real story is sometimes presented to us at a later time by law enforcement officials, when it suits them to release such information. The reality is often at complete odds with what we had pieced together for ourselves through the the public domain. This suggests that the online (public) arena is more often the domain of handed down information. Even redacted evidence released under FOI can be corrupted by the machinations of those with their own ideas and agendas. As we all know, the more times information is passed on, the more suspect it becomes. Ask a room full of people to accurately repeat a rumor by whispering in another person's ear. By the time the rumor gets to the other end of the room the message will have become significantly different to the original message. Information spread via the public domain is subjected to the same kind of manipulation and distortion. It is influenced by intrigue, gossip, and innuendo, and people will always tend to package the information along with their own subjective opinions and ideas, frequently based on their own life experiences. So the information many of us receive in the public arena contains distortions, factual errors, and, at times, outright lies. Often the case is that only the source knows the real truth, or at least the real fragment of the truth!

Rubislaw 32 link
7/27/2018 05:02:51 pm

Yes Sigmund,the case of the Zodiac Killer is,and has been,for many years,according to official findings by Law Enforcement....

''A four legged table''

There may be many things ''not quite right'' about the table,but it does stand upright,as having four legs,that all belong together,and present the table as an entity that stands upright,and functions as such.

Tahoe27
7/28/2018 11:58:39 am

I agree completely. This is why so much of what I have gathered comes from police reports, rather than internet word-of-mouth. It is a given we have no been privy to all such reports. That said, Zodiac seemed to be a master at manipulation and distortion..so I do, at times, think the police could have made mistakes. They're only human. :)

Sigmund
7/29/2018 05:12:27 pm

Yes Tahoe, and, dare I say it, some police could be downright lazy too. This was perhaps more the case back in those days. Not wanting to fill out reports properly, not wanting to follow correct procedure, just not wanting the burden of an extra workload, wanting the shift to end so it can all be someone else's problem, leaving it to another jurisdiction or higher authority to handle... Sometimes it occurs due to under-staffing, staff malaise, general apathy, feeling sick on that day, or mind preoccupied with the weekend's sporting events etc. etc.... There can be a whole host of reasons. As you say, police are only human too.

Tom
8/3/2018 06:43:04 am

The various accounts of the events also make for a lot of confusion. I am trying to figure out what the three girls experienced. When they were at the A&W a car pulled up directly behind them, and the person in the vehicle observed them but stayed in the car. The rendition of what happened later in the day gets muddled. The reports state that when they parked at the lake the same car pulled up next to them and when they left the lake the car was gone. It seems that somehow these two sightings of the auto are combined. I am trying to figure out if the girls actually observed the car at the lake. Can someone help with this? Thanks

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 02:24:08 pm

I will give your ''by knife'' question,more thought,Richard.

At present,if we accept that Lake Berryessa,was the ''birth'' of new aspect to Zodiac's campaign of terror,following a perceived humiliation,at the hands of the Harden's,over the ''408'',then....
''by knife'' was the ''declaration of newness'' phrase employed,by Zodiac,and written on Bryan's door.

''My'' final line of the ''340'' solution is '' TT code startles a nasty afterlife'',with ''TT'' standing for ''Teletype'',no doubt.

So,although the word ''afterlife'' is featured....neither ''paradice'' nor ''slaves'' are featured.

If that is any assistance [?].

And,as I have previous posted,at your site,''The Bleeding Knife'' alludes to a joke/party trick,of tradition,more associated with being performed,at Halloween.

[....ha!,ha!,ha!....]

Rubislaw 32 link
7/23/2018 02:34:51 pm

.....here's something extra,before I forget.....

''by knife'' reminds me of ''Byson'',the name of a claimed co-conspirator,in the Benicia High School Note [...circa Autumn 1972,and unauthenticated...].

''Byson'' being presumed to be ''Bay's son'',by pronunciation,in a traditional Southern drawl....as in ''Bayou''.

Houston,Texas is known as ''The Bayou City''.

So,it's possible that ''by knife'' means to signify ''Bay Knife'' [?].

Just a thought......

Rubislaw 32 link
7/26/2018 12:50:41 pm

I'll hang back,Richard,on discussing ''Jack the Ripper's'' ''Dear Boss'' letter,on account that you may feel inclined to discuss it,in more detail.

But,it is certainly,a letter,that your readers might want to check out [?].

This letter could offer more clues,and greater affirmation to the Zodiac being the writer,on Bryan's door,and that which inspired him.

Dripping Pen Card,Fairfield letters,April 1978 letter,and 1988 New Canaan letters...all suddenly acquire possible pointers,on ''Jack's'' ''Dear Boss'' letter,alone.

Tahoe27
7/26/2018 08:05:31 pm

Always open-minded:

http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=214

Rubislaw 32 link
7/27/2018 05:32:38 am

Yes indeed,Tahoe27.And that was a nice spot,from you,five years ago.

With the ''Dear Boss'' letter,all the potential clues of inspiration,for Zodiac,seem to appear in the second half of the letter.

Perhaps that is why the letter may sometimes be overlooked [?].

As you say ''Always open-minded''.I have recently put it to Richard that the Fairfield letters could be written in red ink.And that may be part of the reason,for not authenticating them [?].

Personally,I think that many get too caught up,in the ''NAM'' of the ''my name is'' cipher [?].It seems to have to be related to ''Vietnam'' or ''Name'',for most [?].

No possibility of a third choice,or beyond [?].That Zodiac is ''selling us a dummy clue,from the start'',perhaps [?].

Thanks for pointing the way again,on the possibilities of ''Dear Boss'' entering the arena,on inferences.

''My knife's so nice and sharp...''.

Mmm.....

Rubislaw 32 link
7/27/2018 07:51:20 am

It had occurred to me,Tahoe 27,and mindful of your ''trove'' of information :

Those that unearth basics on William and Marion Grant,never mention their phone number,when residing on Cordelia Road,circa 1969.

Do you happen to know it ?

If you do,and do not wish to state it,Richard could always give you my e-mail address,and I would be happy to reciprocate,with any information,that you may be struggling to find [?].

Thanks.

Tahoe27
7/27/2018 08:59:13 am

I do not know the phone number. Sorry. :)

Sigmund
7/26/2018 09:21:01 pm

It is really not unusual for a serial killer to pay homage to other serial killers. For instance, I have often wondered if the final part of the 408 cipher, E Beo, Ri E Te Meth Pi Ti, was an intentional homage to Madam Delphine LaLaurie, a New Orleans Creole socialite and suspected murderer. She was said to have tortured and murdered her SLAVES. I believe the translation for E Beo, Ri E Te Meth Pi Ti in one Creole dialect is something like: "And I live, and laugh, and just taken some meth".

Tahoe27
7/27/2018 08:59:54 am

I agree Sigmund. They seem to have a psychotic bond to each other.

Sigmund
7/26/2018 05:44:28 pm

I think "by knife" means exactly what is says. "By knife". It implies death by knife, nothing more. Goes without saying that this theme is a recurring mental theme from the probably obsessive mind of a serial killer. The theme comes "full circle" with the discovery of the Wheel of Doom motif. As the Zodiac himself once said "Connect the dots". It does all, like spokes on a wheel, connect.

Judith
7/26/2018 06:01:11 pm

Lake Berryessa is open to the public as are the Streets of San Francisco, unless someone saw this guy committing murder we cannot confirm that who they saw was the Killer. I have personally been to this area many times it is vast, there are coves with hills that you must walk up and down to get from one point to the other. Let's stick to the eyewitness testimonies. The Lake Berryessa sketch looks absolutely nothing like the Presidio composite sketch. What a horrible person this Zodiac Killer was and very very clever. My own personal experience with Peter frequently involved being terrorized with knives. He would throw them into the ceiling when we were eating dinner. Kept a bucket full of them, used them in his trade. So scary to sit there at the dinner table when something came over him and he grabbed the knife by the handle with his fist, ready to strike.

Sigmund
7/26/2018 06:15:24 pm

Was he able to change his appearance rapidly Judith? I have known people who can do this. I once had a neighbor who would look really fat one time I saw him. I would see him again a month later and he would look really slim. He would grow a mustache and shave it off then grow it again at a later time. Sometimes he had long hair, then short hair, then he would grow it longer and curl it. Sometimes dark hair sometimes light hair. Sometimes wear glasses, other times not. Wear different styles of clothing, you name it. He even seemed to alter his height, perhaps by the shoes he wore. One day this man was arrested for being a con artist, and then it all made perfect sense to me. I have known other people too with odd metabolisms who can change their weight dramatically in just a few weeks. If they do nothing and eat big meals they pack on weight in no time. If they exercise heavily and eat light meals they lose it all in no time and can then look very slim. Such people do indeed exist.

Judith
7/26/2018 10:56:39 pm

Yes just as you described grow a ponytail cut it off grow a beard shave it off he maintained a very low weight deliberately throughout our marriage
Can a young person make themselves look older?yes Can a thin guy make himself look heavier? yes he would dress in layers of clothing occasionally hated having his picture taken

Tom
7/26/2018 08:28:58 pm

The Dr. and his son saw Mr Z. The three girls did so also. Not sure why people reject the observations of the reliable parties that are without prejudice. My wife is not the Zodiac and neither is my cat.

Sigmund
7/26/2018 09:24:48 pm

Well my dog wasn't either, but I would still like to read Judith's reply.

Granted, the Dr and son and the 3 girls will ALWAYS take precedence as the most reliable witnesses. ;-)

Sigmund
7/26/2018 09:37:54 pm

"Vallejo police were investigating a Vallejo man who was previously convicted of accosting "lovers lane" couples- and wore a hood while doing so."

This will be their man, I can almost guarantee it!

Tahoe27
7/27/2018 09:01:43 am

That was for sure a crazy coincidence...if a coincidence. I'm trying to remember why it was dismissed. Time frame maybe? I'd have to go back and look...

Sigmund
7/27/2018 03:57:59 pm

If they dismissed it, chances are that they were not doing their job properly.

BB
8/12/2018 10:55:15 am

http://zodiackiller.forumotion.com/t61-all-things-troy-houghton

These Minutemen are connected to the gun-sight symbol and their dripping pen was a cyanide delivery device. What other things could connect them. Ya, it could be mostly coincidence but after enough stuff that leans in their direction is gathered it could be used in a civil court that uses a preponderance of evidence to convict.

Sigmund
8/12/2018 04:10:23 pm

So the greeting card company and their artists were all "in on it" too?

blue belly
8/18/2018 12:07:22 pm

Napa DA Phillip Bucky Stewart was a child molesting, murderer.

He kidnapped and murdered Doreen Heskett. Her body was found on Bucky Stewart’s ranch, owned by Bucky's father Earl Stewart.

No matter what; this is proof of corruption. It does not matter to me if the Zodiac was my best friend, or even my favorite uncle. I just want the scum to be revealed. Whether it is a group of dirty cops or a lone wacko? I don't care. Whether it was Nixson's CREEP - smearing peace loving hippies to control the narrative for the right wing's war effort. Whether it is as the majority thinks, just some random psycho living in his parents basement. Again, I don't care if it is Stanley Dean Baker and his Satanic cult. Or, whether it is a Sidney Gottlieb CIA experiment gone underground. I don't care. Just reveal the bastard(s) already. 50 years of uncertainty is driving everyone crazy.

Sigmund
8/19/2018 05:09:35 pm

Yes bluebelly, everybody can at least agree on that one point.

Phillip Bucky Stewart was by many accounts a bad egg, but so far he can only be linked circumstantially to the murder of Doreen Heskett.

On a side note, I find it interesting that when you compare photos from the same period, "Bucky" looks remarkably similar to Allen Leigh!


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