THE LETTER ADDRESSED TO PAUL AVERY IN 1969

3/16/2025

December 29th 1969, San Francisco Chronicle

On December 20th 1969, the Zodiac Killer mailed a letter to the home address of Melvin Belli at 1228 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, pleading for help and claiming he was in danger of murdering a ninth and tenth victim. After this letter, the communications ceased for exactly four months, until the April 20th 1970 letter containing his 13-Symbol code arrived at the San Francisco Chronicle. So did the Zodiac Killer leave California during this period, or leave the state to visit family or friends over the festive period?

Newspaper articles from Paul Avery intensified over the months of October, November and December 1969, with two articles in the San Francisco Chronicle on December 29th 1969 and December 30th 1969, entitled "Urgent Appeal By Belli to Zodiac" and "Belli Sure Zodiac Will Talk To Him" respectively. "On Sunday (December 28th), Belli made an appeal to Zodiac to contact him by writing or telephoning the Chronicle". Melvin Belli stressed that any letter and/or telephone call would be treated with the strictest confidence. Therefore, any letter urgently mailed by the Zodiac Killer at the end of December being released into the newspapers, could have possibly scuppered any meeting with Melvin Belli or further contact with the newspaper. So did we have any Zodiac Killer letters at the end of December, mailed in urgency and withheld from the public?

December 30th 1969, San Francisco Chronicle

Sandy Betts contacted me regarding a possible "Zodiac" envelope she managed to get an image of while being given a tour of the San Francisco Chronicle offices a few years ago. Sandy stated "Reporter Kevin Fagan gave us a tour and showed us the drawers where they kept what Zodiac had sent over the years. I somehow missed noticing one of the envelopes which was addressed to Paul Avery, thinking it was the one which was made public, so no big deal. But while going through my pictures, I looked closer and saw it was sent "Air Mail" from New York, NY on Dec 30th, 1969, it was most definitely written by Zodiac with his blue felt pen".

"During 1969, after he sent a letter to Melvin Belli on Dec 20th, there wasn't any communication from Zodiac until April 20th, 1970. Being in New York, NY for four months, could explain why. That would also eliminate several suspects, we know were still in California during that time. Did he go there to spend Christmas with family, or friends, or was it because he had a job there?".

The following envelope, with two affixed 6c Franklin D. Roosevelt stamps, was sent to me by Sandy, postmarked in the afternoon of December 30th 1969 from New York and addressed to Paul Avery. The use of "Air Mail" may have been the urgent and immediate response to the appeal by Melvin Belli, featured in the San Francisco Chronicle by reporter Paul Avery. An envelope not released into the public domain, which underlined the newspaper reporter's name, just like the Halloween card envelope on October 27th 1970, ten months later.

Thanks to Sandy Betts for supplying the following image and accompanying information.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29TH 1969, BUFFALO, NEW YORK

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, DECEMBER 29TH 1969

sandy link

3/16/2025 03:59:30 pm

Thank you, Richard, for showing this unpublished envelope! I would like to have seen the letter inside. It may have another piece of Paul Stine's shirt?

Richard

3/16/2025 05:20:35 pm

It's quite possible Sandy.

JIbberjabber

3/17/2025 11:01:38 am

Sandy,

Great picture.

Did Kevin Fagan say why they kept that letter in the draws all this time and it had not been handed over to the police? Did you take that photo if so how was it you picked that one to take is it because you recognised it as a Zodiac letter, did you take any other photographs of other possible Zodiac letters, do you have any others from your pictures you could show us Please?

Zodiac had maybe only written to the Chronicle 3 or 4 times at this point and if he was writing "please rush to editor" on his envelopes, this one could have gone under the radar.

If the letter ever found its way to Avery I wonder what he made of it, if it was from Zodiac why did he not keep it himself

all very interesting would love to learn more

Rubislaw32 link

3/16/2025 04:59:29 pm

Very interesting - I'm sure I've seen those capital ''F's'' before.

Not least that the Zodiac may have decided to see in the New Year in New York. I have him down as a regular visitor to New York in the mid-1990's, since I believe he was the identity of Scorpion. Ciphers & photos to NYPD.

Richard

3/16/2025 05:18:31 pm

It certainly pre-empted the Albany letter in 1973, which was the first letter mailed outside California, from Albany, New York.

Richard

3/16/2025 05:19:35 pm

That we were aware of.

Rubislaw32 link

3/16/2025 05:40:24 pm

Yes, Richard, the pre-empting of the Albany letter is an interesting thought in itself.

On that Albany occasion - personal, granted - but I believe the Zodiac had flown in from France. Whereas Dec 30th 1969 may have been as a tourist. Isn't seeing in the New Year at Times Square a traditional attraction, as such ?

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/16/2025 06:01:46 pm

@Rubi,

I'd be real curious to hear more about those capital "𝐟''s" that you've noticed. If you could elaborate. I'm always interested in the typography of the "𝒇's". I think a lot of people refer to them as candy canes. I find them very interesting.

I have my own thoughts about them of course. I'll make those thoughts clearer soon.

You know who I'd like to hear from too about this writing though?

@Jibber,

Where have you seen those -- curly cue "𝓢's" -- and the lower case "𝓇" in San Francisco before @JibberJabber?

Anywhere? A long time ago maybe? On a wall perhaps?👀

Look...Very...Closely...

Rubislaw32 link

3/16/2025 06:12:22 pm

Only, that they are a bit on the open side, EdEdwardsCiphers.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/16/2025 07:35:21 pm

That "𝒇" in Cali𝒇, is very Candy Caney.

Why do the "𝓢's" and the 𝓒's have such a "𝓒urly 𝓒ue" 𝒆ff𝒆ct?

𝓢trange. Don'tcha think? 🤔

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/16/2025 07:42:29 pm

If we are, what we practice. And we know, that as children, we had to practice our writing. Our Penmanship. Our script writing.

Isn't it strange, that someone has such a peculiar "tell" as to writing an "𝒇". So much so, that many have noticed it enough to call it, a 𝓒andy 𝓒ane?

Why, and how, would someone practice such an "𝒇"???

We need to find out who allowed that in their penmanship class pronto! LOL . ;-p

Rubislaw32 link

3/17/2025 01:40:10 am

Yes, the candy cane ''lower-case f '' is pretty much a given, as associated with the Zodiac, EdEdwardsciphers.

Sometimes, we just start looking for things that hadn't been so apparent, before.

For CA DOJ documents examiner Sherwood Morrill, his favorite was what he termed as ''telegraph pole lower-case t's''. And, that the Zodiac often left a space, almost splitting up a word.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/17/2025 07:32:29 am

@Rubi,

Thanks so much for sharing that, about Sherwood. I did not know that.

I like it.

"Telephone📞 ☎️pole "𝐓's". I might have to look that up, as to what he meant.

The separation thing also makes sense, about separating a word with space. I believe it was noticed with the word "crack-ed" in one of his missives.✉️

So much to learn.🤘🏼

Rubislaw32 link

3/17/2025 08:02:07 am

It just reminds me, as an opportunity to stick one over on the FBI:

When the truth about the existence of the Riverside correspondences came out, to all, in November 1970 - it was the FBI who were most in favour of the positive-Zodiac things that Morrill had to say about them.

Changed days (?), all these years later, with the FBI coming up with the ''San Bernardino delinquent/man'' being responsible for the 3 April 1967 letters - and ''not'' the Zodiac.

Just more disinformation B.S. from the FBI. All part of their disinformation campaign, since Comey's dismissal in May 2017.

The truth will out eventually, and the FBI will be left with a bloodied nose. Mark my words.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/17/2025 08:47:39 am

Oh I believe the FBI is involved @Rubi.

But I have a different take on it. It's a brilliant scheme. It's a self reinforcing loop. One can easily understand it if you've read certain books, and certain websites.

The FBI🚔 might be implicated, and involved, if they were shown to be enabling someone who infiltrated their system by being an informant, while he was killing people.

There's possibly some liability issues there. Just my opinion. I'm no lawyer. 🤘🏼

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 06:30:27 am

If it catches your interest, EdEdwardsCiphers - there is an interview of Sherwood Morrill contained in the FBI Zodiac Killer Files.

I found it slightly amusing when he was asked about examining letters of obscenity . His judgement was, that in the main, it was invariably women who were more creative than men, with letters of this type.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/19/2025 07:50:40 am

@Rubi,

Just my opinion obviously. But girls rule the world🌎. There's a reason they're called "The fairer sex".💃

🗝️

Richard

3/16/2025 05:37:44 pm

Vallejo Times-Herald, July 31st 1969, 4 X 6c Franklin D. Roosevelt stamps.
San Francisco Examiner, July 31st 1969, 2 X 6c Franklin D. Roosevelt stamps.
San Francisco Chronicle, July 31st 1969, 2 X 6c Franklin D. Roosevelt stamps.

Postage was 6 cents in 1969, so this envelope carried double postage like the July letters.

ZODCOM

3/17/2025 01:13:29 am

Yes, the fun with the stamps and the excessive franking, or the choice of stamp motifs, or how they were affixed...
I always suspected that he wanted to express something with his stamps. Either it is a secret numerical code/key, or it has another meaning. In all probability, it is not an uncontrolled, unconscious action by Zodiac, along the lines of “if I pay twice, it arrives faster”.

_______________
TOP-SECRET ZODCOM DOSSIER:
https://www.zodiacciphers.com/zodiac-news/the-modesto-abduction-t-minus-20

Richard

3/17/2025 01:49:48 am

The idea he may have lived in Vallejo and prioritized it by using 4 stamps did cross my mind, but it could equally have been a ruse to give this impression, Both the July 31st 1969 and October 27th 1987 letters to the Vallejo Times-Herald were the most overstamped letters of all in terms of cent value.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/17/2025 08:26:02 am

I was always familiar with the double📧 stamping only. Meaning I wasn't aware of over-stamping📨 that was more than only 2 stamps. If that's what you mean.

I always took the double stamping to serve several purposes:

1. to ensure that it did actually go through and would not be returned for lack of payment📭. Especially considering they would not be returned to his actual address, nor possibly even a false address if necessary. Meaning, that would only increase the chances of him being tracked back and some kind of profile created, based on what scheme he used. Possibly a P.O. box. Or a drop box. Of course this is all obviated by not leaving a return address. I don't know. I'm not a mail professional.

If only there was a mail professional in the Zodiac Community that could provide such insight and be such a resource with all of that knowledge and be contributory. Alas there is no such person. At least, not one that is conscious or self aware.

2. I've always felt that it was some kind of a clue to the "Zodiac⨁". "Gemini" as a Zodiac sign always came up for me as an intuition. I have no basis for this unfortunately in fact. Just a feeling Moreso. Perhaps I read this from Cameron's website. That's very likely.

Still more to learn. 🌞

Richard

3/17/2025 08:49:16 am

I worked at Royal Mail for 19 years Ed. There are two considerations when looking at his overpostage in his July 31st 1969 letters (and others). Was he doing it to ensure that the letters arrived because of the importance he attributed to the communication, or did he (with respect to his July 31st Vallejo letter) excessively add postage to misdirect police into thinking Vallejo was his home address, when it actually wasn't. The correct postage in 1969 was 6 cents, but Zodiac put 24 cents in postage on his Vallejo letter. Whereas the Melvin Belli letter with shirt piece carried the correct postage of 6 cents. Is this because the Melvin Belli letter carried no important details within it? The only other letter received by the Vallejo Times-Herald from Zodiac was in 1987. The postal rate in 1987 was 22c, but the author affixed 44c worth of stamps (an excess of 22c). So his two Vallejo letters were by far carrying more excessive postage than any other communication he mailed. One was 18 cents over, and the other 22 cents. So does this indicate the importance he placed on letters mailed to his home town?

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/17/2025 09:54:18 am

@Sir Richard,

I stand corrected.

It's great to know that we have someone in the Community that can speak sensibly about the mail correspondence for this case. I'll defer to your knowledge on the subject, and may from time to time ask you a question or two on how it works.

I understand it may not be from the US perspective, but I would still think that counts very much. 😉

Great news indeed !💌

JIbberjabber

3/16/2025 11:28:21 pm

Wow a great possibility. We all suspect holdbacks and in a way this would be a useful holdback, if it is genuine Z then it is piece of information the police could use (Zodiac was in New York around new years eve 1969).

My first thought was - Zodiac never used a zip code previously, but then again this may be the only time Zodiac mailed a letter from outside of California?

My second thought though - why was this still in the cabinet at the SF Chronicle, why is not in the filing cabinet of Zodiac correspondnce true or "hoax" which is mentioned in the Graysmith books?

Also it does not appear on the SFPD DNA chart. Makes me think this communication was deemed to have been sent my someone who was NOT the zodiac or it has been missed.

If the envelope was opened and any letter inside read, someone has either deemed it not genuine (if so how?) or inexplicably has not passed it on to SFPD for some reason.

The stamps are spot on as RIchrd has posted above, also seem to have been put on as a pair as other Zodiac correspondance did.

But what was inside the enevelope!!!!!!

superb article

Richard

3/17/2025 12:48:33 am

I have been trawling through the newspapers and noticed that the News Chronicle mentioned the 24c worth of stamps on the July 31st Vallejo Times-Herald envelope, but didn't mention the type of stamps. I am still looking for a newspaper article that mentioned the two affixed 6c Franklin D. Roosevelt stamps on the Chronicle and Examiner envelopes. If this information wasn't published by December 30th 1969, the sender of this envelope just happened to use 6c double postage Franklin D. Roosevelt stamps in his address to the Chronicle, just like the July 31st 1969 envelope to the Chronicle.

Jibberjabber

3/17/2025 04:35:27 am

Without being able to see the letter itself, it is a combination of the handwriting on the envelope and the 2 FDR stamps that is very interesting. If the author was the one who wrote "Avery" on the front that is even more interesting still, was Avery writing about Zodiac as early as December 1969? If it is Zodiac, has he wrote in a handwriting not his usual? We know by 1974 Toschi et al were thinking Zodiac was trying to sneak letters into the Chronicle under pseudonyms SLA, concerned citizen, red phantom etc but could Zodiac have been trying that as early as 1969? I think a lot of us think there is a good chance the citizen card to Jon Lynch at Vallejo PD is from Zodiac (a partial key to the Z408). So Zodiac has form here. If it was a letter to the editor that has not been marked as a Zodiac letter then it may have went to print? It didn't end up in Toschi & Armstrong's filing cabinet of Zodiac correspondence for some reason. Either it is Not Zodiac and they knew it at the time, or he has altered his handwriting to sneak it past the editorial staff. But in that case the content itself would have to be something seemingly harmless not to stand out? There are a couple of possible Zodiac crimes in Contra Costa County Dec1969 (prior to the 30th).

Richard

3/17/2025 04:54:58 am

The author of the envelope wasn't consistent with his S's and C's, so the handwriting is obviously contrived and not natural. Nothing unusual for the Zodiac Killer. I would like to know if the two 6c Franklin D. Roosevelt stamps on the July 31st Chronicle letter was ever mentioned in the newspapers. And Avery wrote about Zodiac right up to December 30th as shown in the attached articles. I would also be very surprised if the author didn't write Avery, because there would be no purpose for anybody else to write it and deface a potential Zodiac correspondence. The only reasonable conclusion to not publishing the contents was the promise of Belli to Zodiac of confidentiality. Publishing it could have jeopardized any future contact with the killer, who they wanted to keep writing to them, thereby possibly leaking further clues to his identity.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/17/2025 09:48:13 am

𝓢's and 𝓒's not being consistent, could just mean it's some sort of "Play". Some sort of game. A word game. (I told you I like word games✨;-)

Some of us (mostly me) believe, at the root of his identity, is a sort of "play". Playing of games.

Games have rules. Just like the rules of encryption. Someone who truly understands these types of "games" might be able to figure out how the game works, possibly from clues.🔎

The 𝓢's and 𝓒's, to my eyes, bear remarkable similarities to these found here, in my opinion.

https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/jack-the-ripper-and-7-other-killers-who-left-notes

The 𝓒's are the same. Look carefully at the lower case "𝑟" in Fo𝑟. If one looks closely enough, one may notice, that it's a singular stroke, that creates that character of an "𝑟". It's a loop, it almost looks like the looping symbol used by Christians to denote the symbol of the "fish" 🐟 for pisces, that Jesus historically has been associated with. It also has a possible other connection to another symbol. More about that another time.

That same stroke however, further along in the note, is rotated to create another letter from the alphabet. The Letter "𝐋"

This has a similar function in cryptography as does a homophone. Meaning it's the same symbol, but when rotated by lets' say 180 degrees -- becomes an "𝐋", like in "contro𝐋" or "Ki🅛🄻".

Extremely subtle. Very nuanced. Possibly not even a thing. Or is it?🗝️

ZODCOM

3/17/2025 12:51:38 am

New unverified Zodiac letter, ahm, just the couvert?
Tomcat is puking all over his milk bowl right now, LOL
_______________
TOP-SECRET ZODCOM DOSSIER:
https://www.zodiacciphers.com/zodiac-news/the-modesto-abduction-t-minus-20

Tahoe27

3/17/2025 04:36:36 pm

Regarding the envelope: Interesting but have to throw out another perspective.....Air Mail in 1969 was 10 cents. If all you had were those stamps, you'd simply put two. They were a popular stamp at the time. I don't see where it is addressed to Avery. It looks like someone wrote in different handwriting/pen (cursive) "Avery"....but how do we know that was not written by the person who opens the mail so it would be delivered to him?

I don't see blue felt-tip (Editorial) is in color.

Zodiac? Not too sure... I think sometimes our eyes get trained to think so. Still a good find...weird they would save the envelope but not what was in it.

Richard

3/18/2025 12:37:16 am

Very good points Tahoe, but your observations have certainly opened up another avenue to explore. It's absolutely possible that the envelope was absent of the name "Avery" when mailed, but when the reader of the letter saw that the main focus of the letter was "addressing" Paul Avery, they added the name "Avery" to the envelope to be passed on to him. This would be important because it would indicate that the focus of the letter was Avery - and bearing in mind that all of his recent newspaper articles were about Melvin Belli's message to Zodiac - would bolster the notion that the urgent response by the sender was in respect to Belli's offer.

Of course, we don't know for sure what was in it, but if they were prepared to keep the envelope for decades, it could imply that they attached some significance to it (as a possible Zodiac letter). They may also have kept its contents. I don't find it unusual it wasn't released at the time because of Belli's assurance to Zodiac that any contact by him in respect of this matter would be confidential. The newspaper, in accordance with Belli and wanting to have the attorney's cooperation, abided by the agreement. I don't find it unusual that the contents of this letter has never seen the light of day, because many Zodiac communications were withheld from publication by the Chronicle, including the Monticello card and 1986 letter, to name but two. I can see a reason why Zodiac would have mailed a letter at this juncture, but whether it is a Zodiac letter or not, would depend largely on knowing its contents. But certainly a fascinating find by Sandy. I'm rather surprised Kevin Fagan has never referenced things like this.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/18/2025 06:14:57 am

🖋️Dearest Richard,

Much has been said about "official Zodiac communications". Much has been said about "canonical" items and happenings as it pertains to what has been "blessed", and "authenticated" as valid and relevant, per those who seek to hold information and gatekeep.

I am not an authority. I am not even qualified to anything except my own opinion. And it's an opinion not based on any "facts" as many here might know them.

All of my statements are my opinions, and my opinions only.

With that being said, I can tell you my opinion of this letter -- is that, it contains so many "Artifacts", relevant to the "Zodiac's" story, that this envelope (much less whatever it contains on the inside) is from the Zodiac.⨁

I've mentioned them previously, but alas, I'm afeared they're not being understood, for what they are. Tantalizing tidbits of a system of hidden writing, that this person held in his head. A sort of, traveling kit of cryptographic tools🔐. Created in his head only (𝓟rivate). Teased out through dozens if not hundreds of written communications (𝓟ublic). 𝓟atterns that were part of a game he played in his head. A game that he played out in the public, but would be hard to see for anyone not looking for it, and not understanding what they were seeing.

The 𝓢's, the 𝓒's, the candy cane 𝒇's. These are some of the artifacts. The "𝑟" as I mentioned, made in the specific way that it was. These are all homophones that he has created in a writing system, that possibly originated from that image I've posted above (Which is almost ancient -- from the 1940's)

No one will understand it. One, because they've not seen them repeated anywhere else. Because no one has come across other items similar before or since. No one is looking in the right direction.

Again. This is just my opinion. But it's a strong opinion that I hold.

These artifacts💰. This thing that I'm trying to describe. This system, It has a foundation in cryptography. And it has a long history. It begins in the 15th Century, and it is something that is practiced today.

I would authenticate this letter in my own estimation, based on all of the artifacts✨ I've stated above, because this person put them there -- with care. It is not a singular item. It is not outside of "a theme". They are all of "a theme".

A hoaxer, or a person attempting to "spoof" the Zodiac, wouldn't understand this. They don't know the "notes" to play🎶. So they can't do variations of the notes, because they can't read the sheet music. They don't know what to "play"🎵

As far as I'm concerned, although many may dispute it and ignore it, I fully believe this envelope to be an authentic Zodiac creation.

Ergo, that would mean whatever is inside it, would have been also. If it was not reported to an authority, nor made public, it would then be another missive, ✉️ sent by the Zodiac, that the public has never seen.

🗝️

Richard

3/18/2025 07:14:30 am

While I see similarities in the handwriting Ed, I have always shied away from deciding on authenticity based upon visuals. That said, the biggest thing I noticed was the bigger gap between the "C" and "L" in "Chronicle". This is particularly distinct in his two April 1970 envelopes and Exorcist letter envelope, I wish we had the content because in virtually every Zodiac letter we see a pattern of his evolving story, and his inspiration for each letter. ie: the January 29th 1974, April 24th 1978 and May 2nd 1978 letters had a running theme of movie award ceremonies, which shows the the thought process of one mind. The same can be done with Snoozy and Furlong, who featured in several communications. These extended connections over several years could never have been created by individual hoaxers with no investment into the case, all operating on an individualistic level; If you spend an excessive amount of time researching this case, it isn't difficult to paint a story of one man with one goal, linked through his cards and letters, by noticing these patterns. That is why the 340 and 148 character ciphers can be connected quite easily.

You have your reasons for believing this mailing to be Zodiac - and although I can easily see this being Zodiac for a couple of solid reasons - I would be hesitant to commit one way or another until saw its contents. That would probably be the giveaway. However, it does seem like a response to Belli, with Avery the conduit. This is maybe why he later turned to Avery on October 27th 1970, which I seriously doubt was a threat on Avery as suggested by many newspapers and some Zodiac researchers. I doubt Zodiac would kill the goose that layed the golden egg. It does seem that this letter was directed towards Paul Avery, if Tahoe is correct in believing "Avery" was added by somebody at the newspaper, and not by the sender. Upon reflection I tend to side with Tahoe.

Richard

3/18/2025 07:41:44 am

I'll tell you one thing that would immediately authenticate this communication Ed. If the letter spells out "AVERLY". That would absolutely seal it. All these things could be answered tomorrow if the custodians of these letters had the slightest interest in the Zodiac case. Unfortunately they don't.

Richard

3/18/2025 08:01:27 am

Here is another point of interest Ed. The last communication connected to Zodiac (which I have zero doubt is Zodiac), mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle, was on December 7th 1969. This is the only letter (connected to Zodiac) ever mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle from 1969 to 1978 with the zip code numbers on the envelope. The only other was the one above from New York, 23 days later. One was the numbers 94109, with the one above 94100.

Richard

3/18/2025 08:10:43 am

Also Ed, the Zodiac Killer used the full address of "San Francisco Chronicle" on December 7th 1969, which he may have repeated 23 days later. No other Zodiac communications used "San Francisco Chronicle" from July 31st 1969 to January 29th 1974. The first time was on May 6th 1986 (this is excluding the other three 1974 letters)..

Richard

3/18/2025 08:55:20 am

I just noticed that both the December 7th 1969 and December 30th 1969 letters were both stamped with the wording "EDITORIAL".

Tahoe27

3/18/2025 11:29:12 am

Thank you for your reply...Ed as well. I love a good discussion. I also wonder...could items have been stamped 'EDITORIAL" by the newspaper once opened? So it would go to the Editorial section, to "Avery"? Seems the average Joe wouldn't have that stamp, although even then, surely someone could have it made.

Another note--Air Mail was probably a request, not his stamp AND you didn't have to be in N.Y. to get a letter mailed from there. I've often read you could get people to do that for you. Puts someone out of the area who really isn't.

I do think the contents are a huge factor, but we'll most likely never know. I certainly think Paul held on to a thing or two...especially after his fallout with the Chronicle. Would have been AMAZING to look through his things after he passed.

Keep up the good work Richard!!

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/18/2025 01:52:54 pm

✉️ Dearest Richard,

Apologies for the screed.

I fell into a trap again💣. Condensing what I believe I've learned, into a few paragraphs, and assuming it would make sense. It's a common trap I fall into. It's also why I try to talk myself into the concept of -- "perhaps I need to write a book"📓. I go back and forth on this.

There are multiple concepts I have to plan out, and lay out first, to help people to understand why I say what I say, and think what I think. It won't make sense otherwise. I have to apologize for that.

There's a reason not many believe the case is solved after all. And also why so many have tried before and failed.

But I digress.

My authenticity is not based on "visuals". It's based on over a decade now, of study. More accurate than "visuals" if you will, is 𝑻𝓎𝔭𝒐𝑮ℜ𝐚𝒫ℋ𝓨. A writing system, would still need rules. It would need a playground. It is my belief, this person had a full understanding of 𝑻𝓎𝔭𝒐𝑮ℜ𝐚𝒫ℋ𝓨. He knew the rules, so he knew what he could do. What he could disregard, and how he could rewrite those rules.

This will not make sense right now. Perhaps in the future, I will be able to explain more clearly. 𝑻𝓎𝔭𝒐𝑮ℜ𝐚𝒫ℋ𝓨 would be the starting point. Once that is understood, then one would move to the world of cryptography🔓 and concealment systems🔐. Writing, and hiding that writing. This requires a possible mastery for the creator of the writing, but would only require a base knowledge for those of us trying to understand who the "writer" was, and how and why he was writing. What he was doing.

The movie award ceremonies🍿, could show a pattern. That is one sort of decryption. The ability to decode a thematic pattern would be one basic type of decryption needed.

I will need to explain further what I mean by that. It's possibly a - step one, and a basic level of intelligence required for the task. Unfortunately, it's the easiest level of decryption. Meaning, it does not require a concealment system. It's is open, and public. It is available to everyone as a capability. An open secret. Or, part of what one could consider a Public key. If one thought in this way. Cryptographically.🔐

I would consider this capability as a kind of level 1. It's a base level, and as mentioned, would be required. A sort of table stakes.🥩

I've alluded to why I would say it's my belief this is authentic. I've listed the characteristics of 4 possible artifacts. An artifact as I'm defining it here, means a pattern that repeats over time⏰, across multiple communications, and is not rigid in form, but adheres to a theme.

Most cannot see either the pattern, much less the theme. The statement is based on at least these 4 artifactual patterns that repeat in this very short communication, only on the envelope✉️. Case in point -- the r's. They repeat in exactly the same way. I've also posted the link to where they are similar to another exemplar of writing. Same pattern, and same implementation of that pattern.

Look closely.

I can understand why one would need to , and want to see, what is inside the envelope✉️ to confirm a belief of authenticity. The majority of the population would most likely hold this belief.

I'm not most people. When I think I am, I make the mistake I listed above. I speak quickly assuming certain concepts that I've accumulated are general, but then realize I have not explained them. This will take me some time.

In my opinion, this person also thinks very differently than most people. It's how one can create ciphers that are the most famous in America and possibly in the world.

You become good at what you practice consistently. The mastery🥋 is in the basics, and the foundations. It's what one does all the time, and not some of the time.

I believe I've come to realize what he was doing, in almost all written communications that most in this community attribute to the "Canonical" only. The exemplar pool opens up much wider for me, because of my suspect. So I've studied writings that predate the "Canonical" and post date it also. I've operated under the assumption that all suspects could be evaluated and eliminated in a similar way. I've not seen anyone perform such a task in the community.

My point here is, there are not many suspects, with written exemplars connected to them. Exemplars that show thematic consistency across multiple communications. Themes and patterns that anyone looking closely enough might notice.

But I've described only my small piece, and my small window into this American🇺🇸 Gothic. Perhaps it will amount to a hill of beans? I don't know. I might be way off. Way, wa

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/18/2025 01:54:57 pm

... Way, way off. I don't think I am though. It may not be right.

But perhaps it could be.

🗝️

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 08:12:54 am

Well, just trying to collect all the possible pros & cons together - then attempt a reasonable deduction.

Naturally it hasn't helped in the past, with the FBI having had an uber-stooge installed at the SF Chronicle for 16 years (2009-2025), in Mr Fagan. A natural show-off and enjoyer of some nice kickbacks, not in the best interests of the Zodiac case.

It's OK - I've conveyed this all (and much more) to Mr Fagan - and challenged him to sue me for defamation of character. He never will.

Last heard of, busking on the streets of San Francisco, no doubt. What might he be singing ?

''My way'' ? : '' And now, the end is near - and so I face the final curtain....''.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/19/2025 09:32:59 am

OMG @Rubi.

Don't go scorched earth.🔥😂

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 10:25:30 am

And I've told him that if the Zodiac case is solved, he really ought to consider moving to Greenland.

Thinking of his well-being, naturally.

jibberjabber

3/18/2025 08:01:55 am

On one hand it is interesting it is in a drawer of Zodiac correspondence but what I don't understand is why if it was considered a Zodiac correspondence was it not handed over to police as evidence. If the Chronicle was giving originals to the police and gave them authentic Zodiac letters before this one and after this one (which must have happened to end up on the DNA chart) why did the paper not hand this one to the police for forensic examination at the time. As I said in a previous post, according to Graysmith in Zodiac unmasked Toschi & Armstrong were collecting authenticated and "hoax" letters and had a cabinet full by the 1980s. If there was even any suspicion this was a Zodiac communication at the time it seems incredible it would not be given to law enforcement

Richard

3/18/2025 08:21:23 am

Could it have been given to police and subsequently returned? Did it meet the same fate as the 1990 Eureka card and just sat in a drawer. According to the words of Sandy, "Reporter Kevin Fagan gave us a tour and showed us the drawers where they kept what Zodiac had sent over the years". This would imply that once testing had been completed by police, they were returned to their owner, the Chronicle. It does seem unusual Jibberjabber - maybe Sandy can answer this one. Or even Kevin Fagan.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/18/2025 02:21:14 pm

What I wouldn't give, to have a look at all of those letters.📨

I study them, quite a bit. I almost said -- "Religiously"✞. But I stopped myself. 😂

I can only imagine, there would be a cabinet full of these kinds of letters🔤. The investigators had no way of authenticating them, save perhaps Sherwood Morrill (sp). They would perhaps just collect and catalogue them. Hoping for breaks later on in the case, where they could be used. We've not had any such luck unfortunately.

But here's where I make an almost sacrilegious✞ statement. One that may slightly defame the Great Morrill, who did such incredible work.

The nature of what he did, was linear. He thought linearly. He read his Questioned Documents -- linearly. He would fall short if something was not written -- linearly. Or even worse, written -- linearly, but encoded with a system atop it. Something akin to a Palimpsest. A secret🤫 -- but open faced.

Linear in this description as I'm using it, would be ascribed one dimension to it. Left to right☞. We are all taught, English, which reads this way. Left to right. The global dominant language. But not the only one.

If you are more learn-ed, you become aware of alternative systems of writing. Some go right to left ☜, and some go down and up☟☝︎-- especially some arcane and ancient systems of writing. Someone who is enthralled by writing, and perhaps studied it as a science, which may include both 𝑻𝓎𝔭𝒐𝑮ℜ𝐚𝒫ℋ𝓨, and something like semiotics, would be able to write something that would confuse the estimable Mr Morrill. It would go right..over..his..head.

Perhaps there's some gold✨🥇✨ to mine in them thar' cabinets?

🗝️

JIbberjabber

3/18/2025 12:13:25 pm

Not that it makes any difference but would there be any delay between a letter being dropped in a mail box in New York at Christmas period and being stamped by the machine?

It is stamped 30th Dec 1969 could Zodiac have dropped it in the mail a number of days earlier and it been held up due to the amount of additional mail at Christmas? I am not sure if the Christmas period meant letters could take a bit longer to be received because it meant it took longer to deliver the extra volume of mail, or it mean there was delay collecting the mail from the mail box to get it into the postal system, or maybe both?

spending New Years away makes me think if this author was Zodiac he may have been visiting friends or family at the end of the year?

If nothing else it is curious someone would post a letter from New York to the SF Chronicle which is a distance of 3000 miles and literally on either side of the USA. The person writing the letter has not even bothered to fill out the complete postal address (901 Mission St) and they have the wrong zip code.

Why would someone posting a letter 3000 miles away not know the address they are posting too in a bit more detail? and why no name in the conventionl address line?

If this is Zodiac, I think he has maybe just mailed a Christmas card to the Chronicile or maybe even offered some advice on how to catch himself, and it has gone under the radar at the time but then was maybe later "rediscovered".

Richard

3/18/2025 01:41:20 pm

When I worked at Royal Mail the mail massively increased at Christmas but the delay on mail getting to its destination was minimal. By December 30th it was negligible. The thing that benefited Zodiac was December 30th was midweek, and it was sent by Air Mail. So my guess is he likely mailed it on the morning it was postmarked. But I am assuming that the American system functioned in a similar manner to here. The message from Belli to Zodiac was reported in New York newspapers on December 29th 1969, so if this letter was a response to Belli, the delay in its postmark was negligible. Then, in 1973, came another mailing from inside New York. Two mailings outside California and both from the same state, 3,000 miles away.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/18/2025 02:26:01 pm

I so love that we have an expert that can weigh in on these types of things.

You're such an asset to this endeavor @SirRichard.🏅

🌞

Richard

3/18/2025 02:44:38 pm

☺️ ☺️ ☺️ Sir Ed.

Rubislaw32 link

3/18/2025 09:04:03 pm

Yes, Richard, I can see your reservations about the Zodiac-authenticity of this envelope featured.

My associations with Kevin Fagan, proved a nightmare, and there are persuading reasons (including in published print) that Fagan has operated as a one-side facilitator for the FBI, exclusively, on Zodiac matters - at the detriment to case custodians CA DOJ, and has contributed to undermining the morale of a number of ''local PD's''.

e.g. ''Order'' from CA DOJ to FBI's Dan Olson:

''Don't Rush to Editor.'' ''Editor'' referring to Kevin Fagan.

Kick a man when he's down ? The nonsense with Fagan has been going on all too long, and probably (?) an inevitability that his employers Hearst, were going to find Fagan's position at SF Chronicle, no longer tenable.

It would never have surprised me if Fagan deliberately left that envelope as a ''conspicuous'' item that keen Zodiac enthusiasts might happen to spot, when specially invited as his guest to Mission Street.

But yes - it could still be Zodiac-authentic, as a favor from the FBI to Fagan.

Jibberjabber

3/18/2025 11:22:27 pm

Well without seeing the contents of the envelope (did it have anything inside it at the time of the tour?) the stamps and the lazy address writing have piqued my interest.

You would have to think there could be DNA on this letter stamps/envelope flaps.

I would like to know things like the probability of someone mailing a letter and using 2 FDR stamps. how many different type of stamps could be bought in the USA in the 1960s? I dont know anything about stamps but in my country there seems to be standard ones with the profile of the Monarch on them and I assume they change very rarely? We do get themed stamps at Christmas and there have been commemorative stamps - I dont know if that is a new thing or not, but mainly we buy books of stamps with a picture of the queen on , new ones maybe have the king on? and they have a number 1 on for first class, and a 2 on for second class. if you want it to get there faster you buy the first class stamp. I dont think we ever had as much varierty of stamps to buy as in America where you have things like all or some of your presidents. My point is if there was a wider variety of stamps someone could have bought, seems more interestng that authenticated Zodiac was mainly using presidents , and to have used FDR stamps a number of times is maybe more meaningful still. BUT I dont know how many other types of stamps were available to buy in 1969/1970/1971/1974 & 1978 if presidential stamps were the bulk produced, bought and used then it maybe is not as significant. those 2 little FDR stamps on this Dec 30th 1969 letter as Richard says is the same postage as the 31st July 1969 Chronicle, but how many other people were mailing the chronicle with 2 FDR stamps around this time??

One thing I have never seen mentioned (I dont think) is null hypothesis testing, this is where you ook at a larger sample of data to see if the same occurence is seen across the sample so we could go some way to deciding is there a pattern or is it chance.

but it is not just about finding the matches. it is about not finding the non-matches. example - if Zodiac was sending letters with stamps of presidents on them we think ahh that is a good way to identify Zodiac correspondance becuse they have president stamps on, but if the majority of the US population were also using stamps with presidents on them then it is less useful way to identify non-typical Zodiac correspondance.

How many people were posting letters with 2 FDR stamps, was it rare was it common etc

it is this other side of the coin we do not know.

I would also like to know things like:

how many letters did the Chronicle get in say a week during the time of Zodiac

how many had the correct or incorrect address

how many did they recieve from New York

How many overpostage

etc etc

Rubislaw32 link

3/18/2025 11:37:32 pm

Certainly good and pertinent points raised, Jibberjabber.

It does seem a little odd that had the envelope (or contents) raised sufficient suspicion from FBI - then such things as the stamps' removal would then have taken place, for further forensics analysis (?).

On balance, one would have to vote it a negative (?) for Zodiac authenticity.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/19/2025 07:27:32 am

The large majority of the viewing public may indeed have to vote it negative for authenticity @Rubi. That is true.

Because I know you're a cryptographic savant, I know you know the function of a filter 🚧, an algorithm, a sort, a collision⛓️‍💥due to prime numbers.

I would assume (one should never assume😉) you will apply that function and logic, to the endeavor of assessing its authenticity vs not. And how probable that may be.🎱

🗝️

Tahoe27

3/19/2025 12:58:31 pm

Looks like there were 22 "commemorative" stamps issued in 1969. The Roosevelt was issued last produced in 1968. In America, we usually have a standard stamp and you have to request when you want something different. Not sure what that standard stamp was. A postage stamp was 6¢ so with Air Mail, you'd need two. I do believe the Roosevelt stamp was a standard issue.

Sam Fisher

3/19/2025 12:20:21 am

Great article Richard, and to Sandy Betts for sharing this. I am very curious as to what the contents of the letter are and or is.
I believe the New York communications are real and if so, that can and should eliminate some suspects.

I have a commentary on the Albany cipher you have posted elsewhere on this site but if you wish I can email you directly about it. Keep up the good work.

Richard

3/19/2025 12:31:40 am

Send it to me Sam.

ZODCOM²

3/19/2025 03:08:05 am

EdEdwardsCiphers wrote:
"In my opinion, this person also thinks very differently than most people. It's how one can create ciphers that are the most famous in America and possibly in the world."

And now, something completely different:)

"Navajo code talkers were a group of U.S. Marines who used their indigenous language to transmit secret messages during World War II. They played a crucial role in transmitting tactical information that could not be deciphered by the enemy, contributing significantly to the success of U.S. forces in the Pacific theater.

The Navajo code, developed by the original twenty-nine Navajo code talkers, was the only spoken military code never to be deciphered by the enemy. Chester Nez, one of the original twenty-nine Navajo code talkers, wrote a memoir detailing his experiences and the development of the code.

Navajo code talkers were instrumental in battles such as the invasion of Iwo Jima, where they were credited with expediting the end of the war and saving thousands of lives.
Their contributions were classified until 1968, twenty-three years after the war's end.

Chester Nez: One of the original twenty-nine Navajo code talkers and the last surviving member of the group, who wrote a memoir about his experiences.

William McCabe: A Navajo code talker who received the Purple Heart for his service.

Nelson Thompson: Another Navajo code talker who received the Purple Heart.

Harry Tsosie: A Navajo code talker who received both the Purple Heart and was Killed in Action (KIA).

In addition to the Navajo, other Native American tribes also served as code talkers during World War I and II, including Choctaw, Ho-Chunks, Eastern Cherokees, Comanches, Cheyennes, Yankton Sioux, and Osages."

Just to think about why the Indians were “uncrackable” for the enemy...it's kind of thought-provoking impulse for secondary literature.

Now, let me oversimplify a lot and also explain it as simply as possible...or do you all want to read 170+++ pages and follow 1,000 weblinks? :)

EEC, just imagine that in Zodiac, by chance and mother nature, when he was still a fetus in development, various lines were connected differently than in “normal” humans.

Imagine further that his “arithmetic computing center” was connected completely different, only rudimentarily, or not at all.

The young brain immediately realizes that something is wrong, and very wrong, but doesn't tell the owner - self-protection mechanism.

The child develops normally but realizes more and more that it is completely different from other children. The brain already knew this 6-7 years earlier, which the little child is now becoming more and more aware of every day.

So the brain has already been quietly and secretly developing other centers and abilities for 6-7 years to compensate for what was “not normal”, such as the “burnt-out computing center”.

At the age of 10, at the latest, the young Zodiac stands in front of a mirror and wonders why ONLY HE can do things that others can't, and why he can't do some things that everyone else can.

Add another 5-10 years of advanced development on top and then let such a 'death machine' code its own creations...

For all this to develop so positively, of course, you need a lot of IQ points as a basic genetic prerequisite...and I'm not talking about the normal 100 and then just a few measly tens on top.

ECC, if you sometimes have the feeling that no one understands you about the things you think you've discovered about Zodiac, don't worry. Be very glad that at least you can see them!

P.S.
"...One that may slightly defame the Great Morrill, who did such incredible work. The nature of what he did, was linear. He thought linearly. He read his Questioned Documents -- linearly. He would fall short if something was not written -- linearly. Or even worse, written -- linearly, but encoded with a system atop it..."

Linearly, eh?
Hehehehehe, he (ECC) can recognize that immediately! Others don't even know what he is talking about.

_____________
TOP-SECRET ZODCOM D⊕SSIER
(Password: 4th Entry)
https://www.zodiacciphers.com/zodiac-news/the-modesto-abduction-t-minus-20

ZODCOM²

3/19/2025 03:42:21 am

*typo, not ECC
EEC = EdEdwardsCiphers

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/19/2025 06:47:07 am

⨁²

I'm familiar with the code talkers. 🗣️

Their relevance is interesting for several reasons imo.

● They're currently being removed further, from history. Making their story harder to find, and harder to know, is akin to a function in cryptography. Techniques sometimes referred to as "Hashing", "Salting", or otherwise "obfuscating" make it harder to decipher something. This serves, making things harder, confusion, and chaos.

● There is a pressure, or a force, to remove them from being known. You can call it "stealing their valor" or "removing their clout". This innate desire to perform this type of action, is driven by political fervor. A desired end is being met by this type of means. A loss of information. A loss of knowledge on how some miraculous thing was done in the past -- especially when done voluntarily, is such an odious thing to me, I cannot explain it. One of the things I consider to be an atrocity against humanity, is the burning of the library of Alexandria. Some believe that this act was a turning point in, us entering the dark ages. I think about where we could have been as a civilization if some of that knowledge was not lost to us. It's the same thing. I consider these types of actions, to be sacrilegious.

● The code talkers🗣️, if I remember some of their story right, were served by two things, which were remarkable. Their code was so esoteric, so -- unknown and particular, to us here in America🇺🇸, that it helped to move the critical algorithm for their encoding, closer to what could have been a one-time pad. Almost unbreakable.

● The coup de grace, was that they were live encoding machines that encoded and decoded in realtime. This was unprecedented at the time. In all history of cryptology🔐, one had to intercept, transcribe, and then afterwards at a later time, try to decode. This process could take weeks or even years. Because they were able to speak to one another in this coded language live and in realtime, wherein no "Man in the middle" could detect and decode their communications was ground breaking.

🗝️

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/19/2025 07:07:19 am

⨁²

I've previously made the case for the development of a sociopath🔪. Because I'm vaguely familiar with the formation of a sociopath, including basic science such as, the markers for the Dark Triad, I'm familiar with how most serial killers are created, and nurtured for their development.

That's a filter I pass all of the suspects I come across through. Not many fit the bill. But I believe, a confirmation bias, powers most of the suspect-pushers past this reality. They have some kind of vested interest usually for doing that. I have no such compunction. I don't really care. I like word puzzles.🧩

As far as thinking linearly, and "The marvelous Mr Morrill". What do YOU think I mean?🤔

🗝️

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 08:06:14 am

A non-linear thinker (breaker) is acting as a linear one and luring the real and exclusive linear-thinker to follow him and his tracks...and he does and all is well...until the BREAKER switches to non-linear...aaand GHOST!

I hope I was able to express it not too esoteric and too strange...I feel the eyes on me by many others and they roll now wildely :)))

"They're currently being removed further, from history."

"There is a pressure, or a force, to remove them from being known. You can call it "stealing their valor" or "removing their clout". This innate desire to perform this type of action, is driven by political fervor."

I wasn't aware of any of this. Who would try something like that, steal their achievements and their courage? I don't know which political side would want that. The army itself? Do you have any tips on where I should look?

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 08:52:49 am

This is an excerpt from the text of someone here at ZODCOM.
Of course I have taken this now and could not ask for permission because the person is not here at the moment.

"...but I can tell you that some of Zodiacs tactics do look like very mordernized versions of the same stuff man like Cochise, Ulzana, Geronimo and others did in their time too. Highly deceptive, vanishing in seconds, faking clews/tracks, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, good and fast shooters, absolutely mercyless against their enemies, comunicating in code, calm in dangerous situations, cruel against themselves and so to others around them, and simmilar. It's not even Indian behaviour Zodiac modernized or xeroxed from - it's the general behaviour of warriors, something they altogether have in common between each other..."

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/19/2025 09:45:23 am

⨁

I've only come across one powerful BREAKER in my travels through the Zodia-verse. A non-linear thinker that was able to put the pedal, to the metal and put many linear thinkers to shame.

I, unfortunately am no such breaker.

🗝️

JIbberjabber

3/19/2025 10:17:54 am

This is an interesting one, I found a couple of articles unsolved murders in San Francisco in the 1960s the victims were being hogtied which the police thought (rightly or wrongly) was fairly unique but also the knots were knots used by Indians. I dont think there is any reason to think Zodiac was American Indian but I have wondered if he has knowledge of American Indians or was inspired by them in some way. I sometimes get the feeling he may be in touch with nature in a spiritual way, not sure why. The codebreaking thing is interesting especially the WW2 Naval aspect (war in the pacific). he plunged himself into the billowy wave...... there was a class of people doing just that in the Pacific war

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 10:43:54 am

And possibly, an idiot calling himself Dan Cooper who jumped out of an aircraft on a black night in appalling weather conditions, laden with too much stuff....who inspired the Zodiac, also.

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 11:21:53 am

The Zodiac seemed to have a penchant for making up news headlines in his head.

Read left-hand side vertically, of Richard Nixon postcard's address, for Watergate headline:

''Rich White Pen Wash''.

Read left-hand side vertically, of ''I knew'' letter, attributed to ''D B Cooper'':

''Seven C's Wash New Seat Los A''.

Priceless.

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 12:01:57 pm

"Techniques sometimes referred to as "Hashing", "Salting", or otherwise "obfuscating" make it harder to decipher something. This serves, making things harder, confusion, and chaos."

Ed, one could also add "Breaker" to that listing of yours.

"It is also used to stop or interrupt signals or behaviors, especially in the context of dog training, where it is understood as a signal that stops unwanted behavior."
( (one) definition of Breaker, BRAVE Browser, AI)

Now you just have to replace the dog with a human and move the whole thing into the realm of behavioral research. Undesirable behavior for him (Z) would be if someone would profiling/analyzing, or following his (real) tracks...like for example when he sends a letter or card.

JibberJubber and Rubi immediately thought of Kamikaze behaviour as the strongest link. No, Zodiac was never suicidal, and I'll tell you again, even if you all don't like to hear it - he's screwing everyone over with the whole “I feel so lonely” and “I need help” and so on. Btw, THAT would be an excellent example of another BREAKER behaviour/tactic.

Or, maybe we are all crazy but can't see it yet :)))

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 12:34:45 pm

*JIbberjabber

Sorry, no intention
You guys and your ultra long nicknames. May I call you just JIB / JAB... certainly not JAP, I get that :)

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 02:21:15 pm

''A perception'', anyway - is that as soon as Dan Cooper jumped out of an aircraft, he became the ''top outlaw on the block'' for the media.

Manson was already incarcerated - so at that time, the Zodiac had seen himself as ''Top Dog''.

But now, this Dan Cooper in the absence of knowledge of whether he had perished or survived, was threatening the Zodiac for the Zodiac's crown. Dan Cooper - the ''New Pretender'', as it were.

So the Zodiac's imaginary headline: ''Seven seas eradicate new throne loser'', is the Zodiac satisfying himself that Dan Cooper perished - and that Zodiac himself, remained ''Top Outlaw''.

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 03:01:11 pm

In the case of Dan Cooper, specifically, the authorities remain confident that he had previous experience parachute jumping (e.g. a paratrooper or member of a skydiving club).

What slightly baffles them, is that he requested ''only'' $200,000. If he had asked for $2 million - they still would have stumped up without argument. So, was there a suicide side to Dan Cooper ? At least a ''devil may care'' attitude to whether he lived or died.

If Dan Cooper's real identity can be confirmed - then they may be closer to understanding why he took such a risk - which looked to even experienced parachute jumpers, as ''suicidal''.

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 03:56:53 pm

Let me speculate. You have a letter or a card lying around here somewhere in the archives of this website and the name Dan Cooper appears in it, am I right?

Inside there must be unbeleavable evidence that it is indeed a real Z, highlikely overlooked for several decades, am I right?

That all leads you to post this:
"And possibly, an idiot calling himself Dan Cooper who jumped out of an aircraft on a black night in appalling weather conditions, laden with too much stuff....who inspired the Zodiac, also."

EVIDENCE - ZODIAC WAS INSPIRED BY COOPER 100%

Then this:
"The Zodiac seemed to have a penchant for making up news headlines in his head. Read left-hand side vertically, of Richard Nixon postcard's address, for Watergate headline:
''Rich White Pen Wash''. Read left-hand side vertically, of ''I knew'' letter, attributed to ''D B Cooper'':''Seven C's Wash New Seat Los A''. Priceless."

EVIDENCE - Z MAKES NEWS HEADLINES UP IN HIS HEAD 100%
EVIDENCE - PRICELESS (=/~moron Z)

Then you post this:
''A perception'', anyway - is that as soon as Dan Cooper jumped out of an aircraft, he became the ''top outlaw on the block'' for the media. Manson was already incarcerated - so at that time, the Zodiac had seen himself as ''Top Dog''. But now, this Dan Cooper in the absence of knowledge of whether he had perished or survived, was threatening the Zodiac for the Zodiac's crown. Dan Cooper - the ''New Pretender'', as it were. So the Zodiac's imaginary headline: ''Seven seas eradicate new throne loser'', is the Zodiac satisfying himself that Dan Cooper perished - and that Zodiac himself, remained ''Top Outlaw''.

EVIDENCE - DC THREATENED Z CROWN 100%
EVIDENCE - MANSON CASE THREATENED Z CROWN 100%
EVIDENCE - DC = PRETENDER, AND Z CLASSIFIED DC AS SUCH 100%
EVIDENCE - DC NOW TOP OUTLAW, ZODIAC THOUGHT, 100%
EVIDENCE - Now Z imagines new headlines how he is beating DC and thereby, all imagetory, he becomes top outlaw again...

Then you post this:
If Dan Cooper's real identity can be confirmed - then they may be closer to understanding why he took such a risk - which looked to even experienced parachute jumpers, as ''suicidal''.

EVIDENCE - ZODIAC IS SUICIDAL LIKE DC 100%

Rubi, pal, what are you smoking? I would like to have something of your grass:) That is in best case just creative writing, we should sit together and write a Z book, because I like that kind of writing too...but nothing of that happened really inside or outside of Zodiac's head:) And the most, if not all, is evidence for nothing.

Do you want me to write a text or story where I mock Zodiac until his blood boils? Would you then believe me when I say I don't belong to some Zodiac-Kult?

...and now the shocker you've all been waiting for:)

A “BREAKER” can only be a person who can think/combine in a “NON-LINEAR” way!

Bank clerks are trained to be strict linear-thinkers.
Administrative personel are trained to be strict linear-thinkers.
Airline pilots are trained to be strict linear-thinkers.
Policeman are trained to be strict linear-thinkers.
Detectives are trained to be strict linear-thinkers.
FBI-Cryptofreaks are trained to be strict linear-thinkers.
NSA-Coders are trained to be strict linear-thinkers.
Okay, let me try again with this example...

Please count up 3 birds:
Linear-thinker: sparrow, pigeon, duck

Zodiac please count up 3 birds:
Albatros, Seahawk, Drone

Zoooodiac !!! Please count up 3 birds !!!
Albatros, Seahawk, Drone, Mom

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 04:22:07 pm

Rather than appearing to be against everyone else's opinion, ZODCOM - what do you yourself represent ?

It might be helpful to keep your answer more compact ? Then, it would be easier to follow.

Thanks - sincerely.

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 04:59:29 pm

Ed's, JIB's and everyone else's posts... where have I disagreed / strongly protested or intervened?
I don't even disagree with your views 97%++ of the time. On the contrary, I learn a lot from you, we all do. Yes, you are right, the texts have become increasingly unreadable and longer and longer. I don't stand for anything in particular as I don't have a POI and I don't represent one.

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 05:03:11 pm

*I don't represent anyone

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 05:19:41 pm

Thanks for your clarification, ZODCOM.

What's with the ''Drone'' references, with Ed ? Just out of curiosity.

Tea is my tipple BTW. I like tea.

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 05:21:18 pm

What just got me so excited was that you most likely took a random letter from someone (the one that mentions Cooper) and then extrapolated things from it that you attributed to the Zodiac. I guess the whole thing got a little out of hand. Yeah, obsessive obsession, temporary...I told you, we all have to be a little insane :)

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 05:40:27 pm

Well, with the D B Cooper business - the FBI are ''banged to rights'' on account of evidence they gave in court - that the 6 letters they have ring-fenced as attributed to Dan Cooper, are actually attributed to someone other than the man who hijacked and then jumped out of an aircraft.

I happen to believe that they are by the hand of the Zodiac. The FBI are confident they have Dan Cooper's DNA - but can't match him with anyone. Beyond this, they believe his suit tie was bought in Las Vegas.

That's it.

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 06:14:30 pm

@Ed
It wasn't that important to hang on to it any longer.

@Rubi
Wait, there are 6 “Cooper” letters where there was no immediate mention of Zodiac, or anything obvious that we might know from the Z stuff...and you only realized with research that they might be real Zodiac letters?

@All
Btw, where is Johnny, didn't see him posting since days?

Rubislaw32 link

3/20/2025 01:46:08 am

When Case Breakers were asked by reporters what they actually did, their line was:

''We solve cold cases - it's what we do.''.

Tom Colbert and 50 kindly LE retirees, whom he tends to phone up for advice (for free), when they are playing golf.

Tom Colbert's pursuit of Robert Wesley Rackstraw as D B Cooper has financially ruined Colbert. And, there is no evidence of him having cracked any other case, either.

Tom Voigt's pursuit of Arthur Leigh Allen, and then Richard Gaikowski has not financially ruined Voigt. Because he barely had two brass farthings to rub together - to be financially ruined. His site's rent is taken over by advertisers. That's why it's difficult to read anything now.

Two Toms - with nothing much, apart from still dreaming of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

EdEdwardsCiphers link

3/19/2025 05:36:08 pm

@Rubi,

I'm not a party to Drones, if I was the Ed you were referring to.

@ZODCOM,

I'm not clear on your points. Perhaps some brevity and conciseness might help?

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 05:43:11 pm

Thanks for the Drone clarification.

Rubislaw32 link

3/19/2025 06:28:38 pm

Yes, ZODCOM - the 6 letters from a single person, at least give away that person's movements at various times.

I would suggest that the FBI have tried to suppress what they admitted to, in a court of law. And, we have Tom Colbert to thank for that, by taking the FBI to court, and losing to the FBI.

Poor guy - stuck with all the legal costs probably bankrupted him. But, Colbert won't admit to that part - and instead pursues the ''daft'' Gary Poste claim, trying to recoup his losses.

Unlucky.

ZODCOM

3/19/2025 07:44:43 pm

The Case Breakers
=================
- solved The Zodiac
- solved D.B. Cooper
- solved Jimmy Hoffa
- solved Amelia Earhart
- solved Jack The Ripper
- solved Tutankhamun

]8~)

Rubislaw32 link

3/20/2025 06:08:09 am

Here we go....The Six Letters:

1st letter: Nov 27th 1971: Mailed Oakdale CA to the Reno Evening Gazette.

2nd letter: Nov 30th 1971: Mailed Vancouver Province British Columbia to the Vancouver Province newspaper.

3rd letter: Dec 1st 1971: Mailed North Oregon to the Oregonian newspaper.

4th letter: Dec 1st 1971: Mailed Sacramento CA to the Reno Evening Gazette.

5th letter: Dec 11th 1971: Mailed (yet to be established) to Washington Post, New York Times, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times.

6th letter: March 28th 1972: Mailed Jacksonville FL to Oregonian newspaper.

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

ZODCOM

3/20/2025 05:48:59 am

"Tom Voigt's pursuit of Arthur Leigh Allen, and then Richard Gaikowski has not financially ruined Voigt. Because he barely had two brass farthings to rub together - to be financially ruined. His site's rent is taken over by advertisers. That's why it's difficult to read anything now. Two Toms - with nothing much, apart from still dreaming of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow."

Yes, I have seen the “restructuring” of Void's website. I can block everything, no problem at all, but the new “view format”, which is specialized for smartphones, is pure AIDS.

I have no idea how the 50 “Colbert investigators” can even expect to have any name or reputation now. Pure mass suicide :)

ZODCOM

3/20/2025 05:50:37 am

"...farthings to rub together..."
Hahahahahahaha, I like the way you sometimes describe things! Sometimes you sound like you're from the Victorian era. Btw, your way of humor is extremely seldom for mathematicians.

Rubislaw32 link

3/20/2025 06:19:35 am

Spent most of my working life in Victorian restoration - so that might have something to do with it.

Victorian restoration: uncovering the past
Mathematics: uncovering the truth

I ''lurv'' the 6th D B Cooper letter (Jacksonville FL). The Zodiac was just off to France on a work-posting. Now happily a father to a daughter called Tina. Named after Tina Mucklow (?), the Air Hostess who stuck with Dan Cooper, until he jumped. Superb.

ZODCOM

3/20/2025 02:51:17 pm

Rubi, thank you very much for the chronological list, that helps a lot. I had a quick look on the internet, but the letters don't seem to be just flying around “everywhere”. Everything I found was in junk quality. Would you have good hires copies of the 6 letters, or a link to a site with good resolution? Of course not to an EfBeAy server :)

ZODCOM

3/20/2025 02:53:32 pm

...apparently there are also no more D.B.Cooper “fan” websites?!??

Rubislaw32 link

3/20/2025 03:13:53 pm

Well, I always find access to examine one of the six, at any time, simply by looking at ''images'' with Google, when I type up ''D B Cooper letters'', ZODCOM.

I have created a D B Cooper letters thread at zodiackillermystery.freeforums.net
But, this is more focused on the ''possible'' extra ones, yet to be confirmed. I think the Zodiac probably wrote another 6. There was obviously a bit of competition with the hoaxers/extortionists weirdos, in the wake of an ''event'' such as Dan Cooper's hijacking and jump. But, I reckon the Zodiac was likely the most prolific - and responsible for the 6 that the FBI have ring-fenced.

This seems to have been largely ''lost'' on Tom Colbert, who I think has always been a bit shell-shocked over losing to the FBI in court. He was so damn sure that Robert Rackstraw was D B Cooper, and that the FBI were hiding evidence to this effect.

ZODCOM

3/20/2025 06:26:14 pm

So, precisely we talk about this link below, and not some fruntpage with 70.000 links pop'n up as soon as we open the entrance. Try to give us "NOW" links:) Okay, let me check your first 6 cooper/Z letters...and then there are additional 6 to see...holy sh...

Anyway, thanks so far...that's already far better then all that crap from yesterday.

https://zodiackillermystery.freeforums.net/thread/490/cooper-letters-work-zodiac

ZODCOM

3/20/2025 06:41:02 pm

Those were the "secret" ones from FBI?

"I knew letter" December 11th 1971
cc Washington Post
cc New York Times
cc Seattle Times
cc Los Angeles Times

those look already from wording and content pretty good!

Rubislaw32 link

3/20/2025 07:04:46 pm

Yeah....but, it actually goes like this :

CCCCCCC......7 C's = Seven seas

Wash Post...Note, he only writes ''Wash'', as opposed to ''Washington''

New York Times..............''New''

Seattle Times..................''Seat''

Los Angeles Times..........''Los A''

Hence: ''Seven Seas Wash New Seat Los A''

Translation, if you will: Seven Seas eradicate new throne pretender.

Self-satisfied Zodiac: Dan Cooper didn't survive his jump.

ZODCOM

3/20/2025 07:57:07 pm

Then I ask you, Rubi, to forgive me. I flamed you yesterday and did you a great injustice!

I assumed it was one of those 3,964 fake letters you kept referring to...which is normal for you guys here :) I get it... Brainstorming and stuff...should always be done. I just freak out when someone says “Zodiac said.....” and that came from one of the 3,964 fake letters without including “we assume” or something.

I apologize 1000x to you for doing you wrong. As they say in England/USA...'eat a crow'? Where can I find a farmer who would sell me 1000 crows at this time of night?

Your theories and research seem to be absolutely conclusive! At least for this one letter and its cc-bro's, but that one was already proof enough of my offense against you.

Rubislaw32 link

3/20/2025 08:15:37 pm

It's no problem to me, ZODCOM. Any puzzle-solving I believe I have achieved, I feel confident about. So then it might present a problem persuading others. But, that's not my job, anyway. Scottish Crown assigned me a liaison officer, because they wanted to see my work first. And they were in bed with the FBI and US DOJ. ''Sadly'' with a ''priority'' of the Pan Am Lockerbie case, over and probably at the expense of the Zodiac case.

''Conflicts of Interest'' - a legal term, that actually means ''Bent Beaks & Crooked Cops - up to no good''.

Just content that matters are moving ahead with some ''honest intervention'', now.

Rubislaw32 link

3/21/2025 01:12:22 am

Naturally, ''Intellectual theft'' is another matter, entirely.

ZODCOM

3/21/2025 08:03:08 am

They got your Z-research mixed up because of that Lockerbie case? That one was also extremely clean, with no interference from politicians, agencies or secret agents inadvertently running each other over...almost as clean as TZC...with D.B.Cooper case injected it's kind of a hattrick, Rubi. :)))

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THE LETTER ADDRESSED TO PAUL AVERY IN 1969

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