THE MEANING BEHIND THE MONTICELLO CARD - JULY 13TH 1971

12/6/2018

On July 13th 1971 a pasted card was mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle with the words "Near Monticello Shought Victims 21 ...... In The Woods Dies April". Many have speculated on the location mentioned in the card as "Monticello" in Napa County, California, because of the Lake Berryessa attack on Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard on September 27th 1969. It has been further speculated on whether "April" was a woman's name or the month of the alleged murder. After a comprehensive review of all the information, I believe the woman's identity, labelled as victim number 21, can finally be revealed, along with the exact location of Monticello.

On November 8th 1969 the Zodiac mailed the 'Dripping Pen' card to the San Francisco Chronicle insinuating his involvement in the brutal stabbing of Debra Gaye Furlong (14) and Kathie Ann Snoozy (15), who were found murdered on August 3rd 1969 in the Bay Area of San Jose, in what can only be described as a barrage of knife wounds. The inference of his chronological list of months on the card was suggesting there were two murders attributed to him in August. This crime was ultimately attributed to Karl Francis Werner.
On November 21st 1969 a letter and code from the alleged Zodiac was mailed to the San Jose Police Department threatening a widow. Police responded by implementing 24 hour surveillance on her residence.
Ten days later, on December 1st 1969, Elaine Davis (17), a Pleasant Hill High School senior disappeared from her 158 Pioneer Avenue home in Walnut Creek. The abductor had likely traveled through San Jose to dispose of her body at Light House Point in Santa Cruz.

On Sunday, April 11th 1971, Kathy Bilek, 18, visited Villa Montalvo, in Saratoga, with the intent to read and engage in birdwatching in the seclusion of a remote, wooded portion of the park, near a small stream. Her body was found the next day by her father, Charles, while Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies searched nearby. She had been stabbed 17 times in the back, and 32 times in her chest and stomach, although her killer had taken care to avoid stabbing her breasts. Her murder was also attributed to Karl Francis Werner. Wikipedia. The brutal murder of Kathy Bilek would again be claimed by 'Zodiac', not only in the Monticello card, but in another alleged Zodiac letter, also mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle at about the same time as the Monticello card. Kathy Bilek was murdered in "April", exactly as mentioned in the Monticello card, and "in the woods" at Villa Montalvo (a wooded section of the park). Saratoga is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is located on the west side of the Santa Clara Valley, directly west of San Jose, The appearance of San Jose once again.

If Zodiac created the Monticello card, the reason may have been a response, albeit belated, to an article written by Paul Avery in the San Francisco Chronicle on April 13th 1971, suggesting a possible link between the murder of Kathy Bilek and the Bay Area murders. Karl Werner was charged with the murders of Snoozy, Furlong and Bilek over two months prior to the mailing of the Monticello card, so it's possible Zodiac saw the irony of claiming the Kathy Bilek murder, as he had done with the Debra Gaye Furlong and Kathie Ann Snoozy murders some 20 months earlier. The final thing to examine in the July 13th 1971 pasted card, were the words "near Monticello". It was easy to get sidelined into believing Monticello was referring to Napa County, because the town was completely covered by Lake Berryessa, the site of Zodiac's third attack.

However, the "Monticello" the author is referring to in the pasted card, is again in San Jose. Monticello is a neighborhood in San Jose, California, just over 9 miles east of Villa Montalvo, the site of Kathy Bilek's murder.
In other words, the author of the card was saying "I killed Kathy Bilek near Monticello, in the Villa Montalvo woods in April".
To view the proximity of Monticello to Villa Montalvo click here.

This wasn't the only communication to refer to the murder of Kathy Bilek.
Sometime in 1971, likely just after the mailing of the Monticello card, a questionable Zodiac correspondence and cipher was received by the San Francisco Chronicle, postmarked Fairfield, California. It read:
I'll DO IT TO BECAUSE I DONE IT 21 TIMES. I CAN'T STOP BECAUSE EACH ThAT I KILL MAKES IT WORSE AND I MUST KILL MORE. MAN IS ThE MOST PRIZED GAME. ILL NERVER GIVE MY NAME BECAUSE YOU dONT UNDERSTAND. NEXT TIME I WILL SEND A PATCH OF HUMAN SKIN if their is SOME Left OVER.

The Monticello card stated "Shought victims 21", referring to the Kathy Bilek murder, whereas, in this correspondence the author was claiming he had already "done it 21 times." The Monticello card was never released to the newspapers or public, so bearing in mind these two communications were both likely mailed at approximately the same time, there is a high probability they were mailed by the same author - or Zodiac himself.

"I killed Kathy Bilek near Monticello, in the Villa Montalvo woods in April".
"Near Monticello Shought Victims 21 ...... In The Woods Dies April".

14 Comments

Rubislaw 32 link

12/7/2018 04:31:10 am

A great effort,to put into context,the potential significance of the Monticello Card,Richard.

To perhaps,state the obvious,it would be ever so helpful,if the authorities would allow us,a viewing of this card.

From FBI documentation,it looks likely that the card if genuine Zodiac.....but,naturally,as to the claims made,by inference or otherwise,they will probably remain unanswerable,until an arrest is made.

But,as you have presented,Kathy Bilek looks a good victim candidate.

Recently,I have spent a considerable amount of time,looking at the four week lead into Christmas 1969,and claims made,or inferred by Zodiac,in the Belli letter.

Zodiac suggests that an ''eighth victim'' was taken,in the time between his claiming of seven victims,and his pleas to Belli.

This is very possible,and,up to that Christmas of 1969,Zodiac's claims on victim counts are persuasive.

But,although Zodiac seems,by content of his correspondences,to have come back ''fighting fit'',as of April 1970,it appears that his postscript victims count,became erratic,and often unbelievable,as claims.

This tends to suggest that,the Belli letter may have represented a ''watershed'' for the Zodiac,whereby he deemed it a safer bet,to stick with extortion,on the back of fear already invested,through known killings.

So,although the Monticello Card,may well transpire,as written by him......by then,numbers such as ''21'' were,more than likely ''arbitrary'' figures.

Richard

12/7/2018 10:51:00 pm

My guess Rubislaw is that this card was likely mailed from Fairfield like the 148 character cipher claiming 21 victims. If not Fairfield, then San Jose itself. Karl Werner definitely murdered Kathy Bilek, so if this card was Zodiac (which is likely) he is certainly claiming or suggesting his involvement in the crime we know he didn't commit. Coming just under 4 months after the Pines card may now pour huge doubt on the legitimacy of the idea that Zodiac actually committed the Donna Lass murder. This card was more specific in telling us the murder and location of the body: "near Monticello" (only 9 miles away). "In the woods" (correct) and in "April" (correct). The Pines card was more vague, stating "pass Lake Tahoe areas" and "around in the snow". although in the location of Clair Tappaan lodge they did unearth green tinted glasses that were of the type worn by Donna Lass which again hints at Zodiac involvement, or at the very least bolsters the legitimacy of the author's claims in the Pines card. The Pines card therefore remains confusing as to its claims.

Shawn

12/8/2018 08:47:35 am

"The reason Zodiac created the Monticello card was likely a response, albeit belated, to an article written by Paul Avery in the San Francisco Chronicle on April 13th 1971,"

I do not think we have definitive proof Zodiac created Monticello card.

I do like the details you go into regarding these outside the box letters and potential victims. I do not have much to add to what you wrote regarding these murder victims.

I do find potential victim "Patricia Ann King" murdered March 6th, 1970 at "Mount Diablo" Valley college Football Stadium to be also interesting. Strangled with her stockings. Worked for Greyhound in San Francisco. Lived in Pleasant Hill. Same area of many of these out of the box potential Zodiac victims.

http://www.zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=651

She was born September 27th, 1949. 20 years to the day before Lake Berryessa occured.

A pre postage envelope with Samuel Adams was used to mail the "Badlands" letter on May 8th, 1974.

Samuel Adams was also born on September 27th. In 1722.

Richard

12/8/2018 08:56:33 am

Good spot Shawn, I've amended that line. I'll take a look at the Patricia King story and maybe place it in article form.

Richard

12/8/2018 09:39:16 am

There seems very little about this case. It appears there were so many murders around this area, some almost went under the radar. It seems like serial killers were behind every tree, with so many cases unsolved. Shocking stats.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/8/2018 12:11:00 am

Yes Richard,you have certainly tapped into my intuition,on the Monticello Card....and have articulated it,better than I ever could.

The Card is genuine Zodiac....but the ''telegraphed'' victim and victim count.....are ''bull''.

Not so surprising then,that Zodiac follows this correspondence,with the ''148'',where he attempts to press home,the credulity of 21 victims [?].

One could argue then,that the authenticity of one correspondence,implies the authenticity,of the other.

In addition,and as you have started to allude to.....it does seem that ''San Jose'',as well as Fairfield,played a larger role in Zodiac's Bay Area ''activities'',than previously considered [?].

Richard

12/8/2018 01:16:28 am

Ken Williamson, a park Ranger, had noticed the furtive nature of Karl Werner at Villa Montalvo and had noted down his vehicle registration. This was forwarded to the California Department of Motor Vehicles in Sacramento, which ultimately led to Karl Werner, who lived at Shawnee Lane in San Jose. In view of Zodiac possibly writing two correspondences relating to this crime in 1971 after reading information about it, it is perfectly conceivable that he may have also written the DMV letter in regards to the way Karl Werner was located. I will hazard a guess the DMV letter was written in late 1971 from Fairfield, so I can be shot down in flames if the letter is ever made public.
The totals are "bull" because he never killed 21 people, but at least 21 (issued on July 13th 1971) is in step with the 17+ issued on March 13th 1971 when he mailed the Los Angeles letter. It is almost without doubt the author of the 148 cryptogram and the Monticello card are the same person. The overriding question has always been, was it Zodiac. There is a strong possibility. If I am correct (which is debatable) then the 1987 letter was also referencing murders in San Jose.

Richard

12/8/2018 02:06:28 am

The Pines card was released to the public because it contained an innocuous picture of a building project advertisement. What could Zodiac have obtained for his picture on the Monticello card that has made authorities so reluctant to release it. The wording, certainly not, because it's no different than all others published freely in the newspapers. So, it's arguable that the picture on the card is deemed too sensitive for release. Since the card is about woods, what photograph or newspaper publication did Zodiac have access to in relation to Karl Werner that could have been deemed insensitive to release with Zodiac's wording on it. The wooded section shown in the story of Werner, where police are removing the bodies of Furlong and Snoozy. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/zodiackillerfr/imageproxy.php?url=http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh97/tahoe27/TrueDetectiveSnoozyFurlongBilek550to70.jpg

Rubislaw 32 link

12/8/2018 04:55:56 am

Indeed,regarding the mystery of the DMV letter.Along with Paul Stine's trip sheet,and the Monticello card....those three must represent the ''most sought after'' 's [?].

Until I know,there will always be a part of me,that thinks that Zodiac received some negative response from the DMV,over licence applications....between the Dripping Pen card of 8th Nov.'69,and the San Jose letter of the 21st Nov.'69.....which sent him scurrying up to Butte City,near Willows,for retribution....then promoting a set of ''events'',into Dec.'69,culminating with phone threats to the San Jose Police,just before Christmas '69.

But,then....I'm just making it up,as I go along...and your suggestion of ''late 1971 from Fairfield'' is probably far more plausible [?].

Yes,the Furlong/Snoozy murders are a real life tragedy,with the Werner involvement,shocking.....so not meaning to speak lightly of any of it.....but one could see the Zodiac,taking full advantage of anything that rose above the surface,on capturing the public's attention.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/8/2018 02:10:55 pm

Interesting,Shawn,that Zodiac may have created the Monticello Card,in response to an Avery article.

Also,the Samuel Adams envelope link to the ''Badlands'' case.

The now likely link,between the ''148'' and Monticello Card [...well,21 victim claim,anyway...],has got me homing in again,on the 13 hole card.

It is Avery,who first claimed that the crucifix,in the center of that card,was drawn,in blood.The Celtic cross was later found out to be ''drawn'' with red tape.

It is my opinion,that the ''148'' was originally intended to be Zodiac's second ''340''.This would have included,the first of three ''becauses'' 's in the solution,being spelled '' 13ECAUSE''.

So,naturally,I am more than a little curious,now,about the ''13'',above the crucifix,in the centre of that 13 hole card....and wonder if the ''13'' might be a substitute,for a ''B''.

I feel that,any crucifix symbolism depicted,by the Zodiac,has allusions to Catholicism,specifically.Zodiac,I believe,was brought up conventional Protestant Christian....but,those that he regarded as the enemy,in some shape or form,were Catholic.

I digress,to an extent...my main point,is to highlight what Avery actually did find out,from LE,with a closer ear to the ground,than most.

And,may be it should be recommended reading,to a read through,all of Avery's Zodiac related articles [?].

Well pointed out,Shawn.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/8/2018 03:38:18 pm

Just to add to my comments above,with reference to the possible ''B/13'' substitution :

In the Catholic ''alphabet'',the letter ''B'' stands for ''Believe'',and refers specifically,to John 3:16 in the Bible,which states :

'' For God so loved the world,that he gave his one and only son,that whoever believe in him,shall not perish,but have eternal life.''

As an ''extra'' on curiosity,'' 316 '' in simple alphabetic substitution,represents '' C A F ''.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/8/2018 10:34:36 pm

Well,well... ''13'' = ''B'' = 316 = CAF

CAF...a Catholic Father [?].How about a layman preacher,who was a Catholic [?].Perhaps,the same Catholic layman preacher,whom Zodiac refers to,as a ''Stage Yankee'' [?],in his Z38 [?].A ''libidinous'' one,with strange airs and arrogant graces,from New England [?].

Whoever could the Zodiac be talking about [...I enquire mischievously...] ?

Yes,the Zodiac could be duplicitous to the point that convolutions defied gravity,as well as logic.His ''seeming'' to be in more than one place,at the same time,for instance....apart from all the ''clever'' trickery,in his correspondences.

And,incidentally,is it the case that ''Ferrin had to die'' ?

The ''secret'' that Darlene found out about,in 1965.....then Marian,in 1973.....and then me,in 2012.

All these unanswered questions......

Rubislaw 32 link

12/9/2018 01:57:37 am

Here's a ''groovy'' thought,on what may well turn out,to be true :

September and October 1969,saw the release of the ''Abbey Road'' album of songs,in part a popular music opera.

Looking at the track listing,one could be forgiven for thinking that the album,became essential listening,for the Zodiac.

On side two,there is ''Because'',with a possible link to Z 148,and the ''B/13'' phenomenon.

''You never give me your money'',with the chorus,''1234567 AGCGTH'',with reference to the Tate mirror,and Channel 9 letter,of May 1978.

''Sun King'',who,in Egyptian mythology,was ''Ra''.''R.A.'' was the signature left,with the ''Deep Real Estate/Imperial Wizard'' personal ad.More than likely,Zodiac impersonating Dr.Edward Adams,appealing to William Grant,regarding his wife,Marian....whom Zodiac infers ''was'' Zodiac,himself.In addition,''Here comes the Sun''.

''Mean Mr.Mustard''...the ''Stage Yankee'',surely [?].

''Polythene Pam''....a derogatory aside to Pam Grant,sister of Darlene Ferrin.

''Golden Slumbers''....as I claim,the opening two words of the ''340'' solution : ''Nicest Rest''.

In addition :

''Oh Darling''...could be construed,as ''Oh Darlene'' [?].This might include the song,''She's so Heavy''.

''Something'' about that album,suggests that the Zodiac took an interest,and,like ''The Mikado'',started playing it,to death.

''Abbey Road'' officially ends,with ''Carry that Weight'' and ''The End''.

Perhaps befitting the Zodiac's ''trials'' of conscience,all these years [?].

And,a final resolution,in sight [?].Now,that would be a fitting tribute,to David and Betty Lou,murdered fifty years ago,this coming Christmas.

Again,a Beatles link,to the Zodiac.

Rubislaw 32 link

12/11/2018 08:54:05 pm

Just to note,Richard,if there are any alternative meanings to be derived,from the Monticello Card :

The ''better known'' Monticello,is near Charlottesville,Virginia,and is the home and burial place of Thomas Jefferson,third POTUS.

Jefferson was a slave owner,but worked tirelessly,during his life,to end the practice of slavery.

Thomas Jefferson [April 13th 1743-July 4th 1826]

Monticello,in Italian,means ''small mountain'' or ''hillock''.

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THE MEANING BEHIND THE MONTICELLO CARD - JULY 13TH 1971

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