THE NOVATO THREAT LETTER

7/1/2019

In a case where every crime and confirmed correspondence has been covered extensively, it is always refreshing to examine some of the dubious outlier communications - ones that are often regarded as more questionable Zodiac material. This brings me to the threatening letter received on June 29th 1972 by Ed Salmina, a sports editor of the Novato Advance newspaper for 33 years. Ed Salmina was a staunch baseball fan, who funded and managed the Novato Knicks team, while also having served as a sports correspondent for The Examiner newspaper.

On June 30th 1972 the San Rafael Daily Independent stated that "Edward J. Salmina, sports editor of the Novato Advance, reported to Novato police yesterday he had received a death threat yesterday in a letter signed "Zodiac". The hand-printed letter said: "If you leave your house past 3:13:47 on the next ten Saturdays, you will be killed". In the lower left corner under the heading "message" were a series of symbols. Salmina of 25 Crescent Lane told police he didn't know who or why anyone would send him such a letter. Police said a copy will be sent to the homicide division of the San Francisco Police Department to determine if the note was printed by the Zodiac Killer".

Below I have placed the time 3:13:47 onto a clock face and marked the 10 Saturdays the author of the letter demanded that Ed Salmina remain in his house. His first Saturday of freedom, had he complied, would have been September 9th 1972. I have performed a cursory search regarding the numbers stipulated on the letter, but other than sections of Bible verse and Crown Prince Waterford (using 03:13:47) little else seems of note. Bearing in mind some code was inserted at the bottom of the message, only 63 (3+13+47 = number of characters in the 340 cipher) sprang to mind. Whoever wrote this message seemed rather specific with the time, giving the impression that it held some significance to the author of the correspondence, so hopefully a more logical suggestion can be discovered.

The 10 Saturdays the letter demanded Ed Salmina remain at his residence

It is without doubt that many Zodiac letters were hoaxed, particularly during the height of the murderer's activities from December 20th 1968 to July 13th 1971. One would expect the number of fraudulent Zodiac correspondences to have dwindled after his campaign of terror reached its conclusion sometime in 1971, which only goes to make these outlier letters all the more curious. It is likely that many will be unconvinced by this letter, but it doesn't do any harm in analyzing them, just in case something is unearthed by a reader of this article.

Kenneth Narlow

Linked by U.S. Route 101, north of San Francisco, the residence of Ed Salmina at 25 Crescent Lane, Novato is only 20 miles (25 minutes driving time) from the scene of the attack on Isobel Watson along Pine Hill Road in Mill Valley. Approximately 3 months prior to the Novato threat letter being mailed, Isobel Watson (33) had just got off the bus on the evening of April 7th 1972, and was walking home along Pine Hill Road, Tamalpais Valley, Marin County at 9:00 pm, when a light-colored vehicle veered towards her, knocking her to the ground. The driver exited his vehicle offering to take her home, but after she had refused his offer of apparent help a second time, the concerned citizen suddenly became enraged, pulling out a knife and stabbing the woman in the neck and shoulder. Her screams alerted the neighborhood, forcing the assailant into a hasty retreat from the scene. She was treated at Marin General Hospital and fortunately survived the brutal attack.

Her description of the man alerted investigators to a possible Zodiac connection, that of a man with heavy-rimmed black glasses, in his early 40s, 5' 9" in height and short brown hair. It was not overlooked by police that the killer had attempted to lure the woman into his vehicle, not dissimilar to the method employed in the Modesto abduction of Kathleen Johns. Napa County homicide detective Kenneth Narlow believed in a greater than 50-50 chance of a Zodiac connection, bearing in mind the description given by Isobel Watson

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The author of the Novato threat letter may have been primarily targeting Saturdays to keep Ed Salmina away from coaching the Novato Knicks baseball team, that one would have thought played over the weekend, but there could be any number of reasons. The only other purported Zodiac communication that was connected to baseball, was mailed to Gerald Tagert of 1423 Roleen Drive, Vallejo on June 18th 1970, just over two years prior to this correspondence. On that occasion the letter stated "gift from Zodiac" and contained two tickets for the June 20th 1970 Oakland A's game at the Coliseum. One letter attempting to encourage the recipient to visit a baseball game, while the other seemingly attempting to separate Ed Salmina from his love of baseball. But were either of these two letters from the hand of the Zodiac Killer?

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24 Comments

Richard

7/1/2019 03:46:34 am

Unfortunately not available in the Zodiac FBI files.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/1/2019 11:07:53 am

There could be some subliminal messaging,going on,Richard.

Pity we don't have access,to those extra symbols [?].

The clock face,at that time,is in,what is sometimes called,''The Smiling Position''.

In addition,'' 3:13:47 '',could also indicate the date,March 13th 1947.

At that time,if a birth date...then,a man of 25...possibly,the person,who is treatening Ed Salmina [?].

Also,on a basis of basic alphabetic substitution,''3:13:47'',would indicate equivalence to '' CA CDG ''....California ''something'' [?].

All a bit obscure,really...but,the original threat,would be good to see.

Richard

7/1/2019 11:29:57 am

I contemplated the birth date angle or the date of the Los Angeles letter. It's a tricky one without much information, but sometimes they are the best challenges Rubislaw. The reason I mentioned Crown Prince Waterford because he was a Jazz and Blues singer, and wondered whether his song titles had any bearing, but he did have several songs dated 03-13-47, including Undercover Blues and the Prince Strikes Back. Here are the four songs. I concluded there was nothing of significance, but it was worth a look.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1vSRwqTWTArlhoYVYhO3id

Rubislaw 32 link

7/1/2019 11:48:05 am

'' 3:13:47 '',partially substituted,could be CA 347.

California Penal Code 347,indicates that it is a crime,if a person ''maliciously'' informs another,that poison will be added to drink,food etc.,and knows that the information is false.

A bit ''desperate'' [?].But,a threat,nonetheless.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/1/2019 12:06:38 pm

Saturdays are the days of Sabbath for Jews and the first Christians.

There might be some significance to ''10'',with the Ten Commandments.

A form of ''abstinence'',is being recommended,as part of the threat.

Saturdays are traditional [?],as big days for Baseball.

Richard

7/1/2019 12:48:01 pm

Closer than I got Rubislaw. A threat contained in the numbers or code very likely. The referenced a lot of material in the FBI files such as the Riddler notes and McDonald's threat, but this one zilch.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/1/2019 06:59:32 pm

Just to add,Richard....there's a lot of ''guff'' about being ruled by Saturn,and ''Saturn in the 10th House'',

The ''10th House'' means being born on the 10th of a particular star sign and,apparently,makes one a ''domicile'' with high expectations of responsibility.

Sounds like a ''Housewife'' [?].

Apologies to ''believers''of Astrology,but they seem to make this stuff up,as they go along.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/1/2019 07:15:59 pm

I reckon it's a Zodiac hoaxer....and the cops had Ed Salmina's wife down,as the No.1 suspect,as part of an elaborate scheme,to persuade ''Ed'',to spend more time,at home,with his family.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/2/2019 12:45:52 am

On the little information that we have,''that'' could be the solution [?].

''Ed'' spends much of his spare time,helping with local baseball team.

When at home,if he does talk to his wife....he goes on and on,about the word at work,about the Zodiac.And,the rest of the time,at home,listening to those ''damn'' Jazz and Blues records.

So,Ed's wife creates the hoaxed letter,as a ''pointed'' reminder,to him.

But,before she realizes it,Ed has handed the letter over,to the police.

But,she's in the clear,for any fingerprints,on account of claimimg that she handled the letter,first.

The cops are then ''not'' prepared to pursue the matter,further.

Richard

7/2/2019 01:13:35 am

That is taking the "nagging wife" to the next level Rubislaw, but the only problem with this idea is I see no wife ever mentioned. Therefore I am left to conclude he was single.

[1] "Mr. Salmina had worked late Monday evening completing work on this week's Advance sports page, friends said, and was discovered by his only survivor, his mother, Tuesday morning".

[2] Marie Salmina was a tireless booster of the team.
“Anytime Marie made an appearance at a game it was special,” said Knicks manager Chris Kenyon, who remembers Marie “traveling the high school fields collecting aluminum cans to redeem for us,” as well as searching for stray balls. “If people knew Eddie, they knew Marie,” he said. After her son’s death, he added, “It meant a lot to Marie to keep the Knicks going.”

He obviously was close to his mother, but I see no wife mentioned anywhere - unless you know otherwise!

Rubislaw 32 link

7/2/2019 01:24:19 am

Yes...I got the wrong idea,that he was married.

''Well loved'' by family,and took time out,for ''kids''.

Died at 50,and single....may have been someone else ''in the picture'' [?].

Rubislaw 32 link

7/2/2019 05:51:46 am

Could be ''someone'' close to Ed,for whom,in those days,would have been ''inappropriate'' to be given a mention,in tributes or obituaries [?].

With Ed's apparent lifestyle....he didn't strike one,as being the sort of person,that would have taken ''enthusiastically'',to a spot of housework,or cooking himself dinner.

[....there endeth,the speculation...though the term ''houseboy'' seems to come to mind...]

Rubislaw 32 link

7/2/2019 06:12:44 am

I see that Ed's ''25 Crescent Lane'' property is a ''spacious bungalow'',with similar properties,in that neighbourhood,recently selling for approximately $800,000.

So,''comfortable to affluent'' [?].

Richard

7/2/2019 06:38:41 am

If we rule out Zodiac or a random person unknown to him, what do we have. Somebody who moved in his social circle who clearly had a dislike for him. That to me means either somebody he worked with or some parent disgruntled with his actions toward their child. You know how parents get overprotective about their children, so if Ed admonished a child in his baseball coaching and the little snowflake ran off to mommy and daddy, you know 90% of the time they would favour their child. It wouldn't be too difficult to find Ed's address from the baseball league or Novato newspaper to write a menacing letter, forcing Ed to miss the remainder of the baseball league and what better way to frighten him than to invoke the name of Zodiac.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/2/2019 07:23:37 am

As you convey,Richard,a more ''widespread candidacy'' as a Zodiac hoaxer,is a likelier scenario....than ''him,indoors'' [?].

Without access to the original letter,an ''overview'' is,that it doesn't appear to be the authentic Zodiac [?].

It does seem to me that,the real Zodiac wouldn't be ''full on'' sporty.

Someone,that probably delighted in spending time in libraries,and...

Adored aspects of motoring.

''Motorsports'' fraternity people,though admiring sportsmen generally,are usually ''just'' into motorsports.

It just seems difficult [IMO],to see the real Zodiac having the time ''extra'',to be a big fan of Baseball or ''Grid Iron'',or Basketball.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/2/2019 12:07:48 pm

Referring back to the ''Oakland A'' tickets....''that'' could still be the Zodiac.

Possibly ''complimentary'',that the Zodiac saw better use of,than enjoying the game,himself [?].

And,no ''immediate friends'',with whom to share the occasion.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/2/2019 01:56:24 pm

The penny finally drops [?].

A new thread has been created,at zodiackiller.com ....called,'' Vallejo Police Department update '',in the wake of site owner,Mr.Tom Voigt's presumed claim of latest information,about a ''two envelopes and secret lab'' declaration,from a Detective Terry Poyser,more than one year ago.

For some contributors,at the site,the truth of a myth,nurtured and perpetuated,by Detective Poyser,is finally kicking in.

No matter how Mr.Voigt attempts to dress it up,these claims now hold hollow resonations.

Detective Poyser is unlikely to return to duty,before the official date of his retirement....and there are no further claimed ''sources'',available to Mr.Voigt,unless an active serving member of Law Enforcement,is inclined to place their job,in jeopardy.

Richard

7/2/2019 02:10:51 pm

Hardly worth a thread saying lab work turns into more lab work. May as well say we haven't found anything so we are still looking. Two years to detect a valid profile and run it through a genealogy site - don't buy the story anymore. Wouldn't be surprised if no testing has ever taken place and it's one big public relations exercise. I haven't held my breath for about 18 months - testing like this doesn't take that long - I know that much for sure.

Richard

7/2/2019 02:25:36 pm

"Mr Hewitt told Express.co.uk: “There is great reason for excitement. When the GSK was arrested early last year, it was revealed that the Vallejo police department had recently submitted some Zodiac material for testing, at least one envelope and one letter".

If they are serious in searching for Zodiac DNA, then there are at least 30+ possible Zodiac communications out there, not just one or two.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/2/2019 02:51:16 pm

Couldn't agree more.

And...whatever the claims made,regarding ''claims made'' by non-entities linked to the case,such as Poyser and Holt...by others,with transparently alternative ''agendas''....

I fail to see any ''revoking'' of any description,with respect to DNA related work,carried out,at Quantico,in 2002 and 2003,by such respected public figures,as Robert Mueller,Dan Olsen and George W,Bush.

Tom1

7/3/2019 02:35:54 pm

Based on what we know so far about the movements of Mr. Z and some of my local knowledge, it is quite likely that Novato was part of his regular "stomping" grounds.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/3/2019 03:04:05 pm

Internet quote of the week,from a diligent contributor,to zodiackiller.com

'' Well,until Tom clarifies what his 'source' means,we'll be left guesstimating till the cows come home.''

....it is not enough,to simply mock....individuals making these sorts of claims,should be held to account....or,at least,be given an opportunity to qualify their claims.

To,perhaps,state the obvious...time,and time again,certain individuals,are a law unto their narcissistic selves.

No wonder the use of the adjective,''Toxic'',is finding greater and greater frequency,with critics of those,whose priority,is....

''Self-importance''.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/3/2019 03:42:54 pm

First journalist's article out,with reference to Darlene Ferrin's 50th anniversary,comes from The Vallejo Times-Herald's Rachel Raskin Zrihen,and is a poignant interview,with Darlene's sister,Pam Huckaby Redding.

Available online,now.

Rubislaw 32 link

7/3/2019 11:36:57 pm

Sadly,one ''well known'' Zodiac contributor,has already taken it upon ''themselves'' to criticize Ms.Huckaby,for misrepresenting the truth,on the night of Darlene's murder.

The police and coroner reports,are as close to ''set in stone'',as can be,and,if there is to be ''embellishment'' from a bereaved of victim....it really doesn't matter a jot.

We,as slueths,are supposed to take these ''entirely justifable'' attempts,by the loved ones of victims,into account....and,understand,as humanitarians,alone,that a bereaved of victim,has every moral right,to pursue justice,in what any lawful way,that they are able.

A bit ''rich'' then...the criticism coming from a Zodiac contributor,who is not actually ''verified family'',nor proven to be a victim of the Zodiac,''themselves'' [?].

''That person'' should just ''Let it be'',at this time....and drop the ''So many friends that I have,the tears that I cry....and my suspect''.

Together,forever [?].

Sounds more like ''Romantic Fiction''.

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THE NOVATO THREAT LETTER

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