THE SANTA CLAUS CARD

5/7/2020

Joan Lucinda Webster

Joan Lucinda Webster, a 25-year-old Harvard graduate, disappeared after her arrival at Boston's Logan International Airport on 28th November 1981, with her remains identified nearly nine years later on April 30th 1990 in Hamilton, Massachusetts. The cause of her death remains undetermined and nobody has been charged with her presumed abduction and murder. The case is constantly kept alive by determined individuals keen for a resolution to this thirty-nine year old murder mystery - and is covered extensively on the Joan Webster Murder site.

Joan Webster's parents made a heartfelt appeal for any information pertaining to their missing daughter, which was broadcast throughout New England on Christmas Day of 1981, less than a month after her disappearance. On January 18th 1982, a $10,000 reward was offered by George Webster's employer, International Telephone and Telegraph Inc, for any pertinent information regarding the disappearance and present whereabouts of the young Harvard graduate.

Gareth Sewell Penn, by some considered a Zodiac Killer suspect, contacted George and Eleanor Webster suggesting that the missing woman may have been the work of the Zodiac Killer. He was convinced that a Santa Claus greeting card was fashioned by the Bay Area murderer, likening it to the November 29th 1966 Confession letter by use of Morse and binary code, along with a whole host of mathematical trickery in a vain attempt to forge a link. However, he was able to receive photocopies of the Santa Claus card and envelope, to which he refers to in a communication retrieved from the FBI files, shown below.

New York Daily News

I have taken four clippings of the communication, which include the Santa Claus greeting card (front and back) and the envelope (front and back) that contained it. The original size and quality of the photocopies were poor, so I have enhanced and resized them for greater clarity. Next to the return address on the envelope (from Better Life Journal) was a newspaper cutting wrapped around the envelope from front to back. The newspaper cutting was in respect to the missing woman, with the only visible section on the front reading "Offer 10G reward for missing coed". The envelope was addressed "Deliver to ::: Joan Webster./Familie Glen Ridge NJ." The $10,000 reward was offered on behalf of the family on January 18th 1982, with the above typed Gareth Penn communication dated April 5th 1982, so it's clearly evident that the Santa Claus greeting card was mailed between these dates. The envelope carried 4 X 5c George Washington stamps, the correct postage for 1982.

The postmark does not give away its mailing date, but the family made a 1981 Christmas day appeal, followed up by a $10,000 reward on January 18th 1982, in all likelihood, making the deliberately chosen Santa Claus greeting card to be mailed on or shortly after January 20th 1982. That is because I have identified the newspaper cutting from this date, reporting that the family "offer 10G reward for missing coed". I can see no connection to the Riverside murder of Cheri Jo Bates on October 30th 1966, but if I was attempting to forge a link between this greeting card and the Zodiac Killer case, I would start by comparing it to the Christmas card mailed in 1974 to the sister of missing nurse Donna Lass. The 1974 card was addressed to Mary Pilker, a family member of the missing Donna Lass, much the same as the Santa Claus card was mailed to the family of missing Joan Webster. Both women were 25 years of age, and both were still missing when the respective greetings cards were mailed. The 1974 Christmas card contained the cryptic message "Best Wishes, St Donna & Guardian of the Pines", while the 1982 Santa Claus card held the equally cryptic, but typed "Please, where can I write you, ?. SC".

Santa Claus card (front)

Santa Claus card (back)

Santa Claus card (envelope front)

Santa Claus card (envelope front with superimposed newspaper cutting)

Santa Claus card (envelope back with superimposed newspaper cutting)

THE SANTA CLAUS CARD (PART 2)
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88 Comments

Richard

5/7/2020 10:22:25 am

You discovered the Celebrity Cypher and Nixon colour image. All you have to do is find this one now Rubislaw?

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 01:32:57 pm

Thanks Richard , it looks all very interesting and , although my immediate inclinations are to go postcard searching , I'll hold off for now and , examine your nicely presented topic , in greater detail .

It would be good to get Toots in on this also . I have recently put forward the notion that , in addition to the New Canaan Letters being targeted at Joan's father , George , that they were sent to a mistress of George's , to compound embarrassment since , George would have to declare this '' fact '' to investigating law enforcement .

But , part of the problem also , it seems from picking up scraps from the FBI files is , that George was in a stronger position , with his CIA links , to keep parts of the investigation separate from those appointed officers investigating '' in the field '' .

It certainly could be the case that the Zodiac was in on this crime .But merely as an annoying hoaxer ? Or , as Joan's actual perpetrator , also ? Or , indeed , neither of the first two , although one of the first two is very likely and , this case about the disappearance and probable murder of Joan Webster , may still be the case , that unravels the mystery of the case of the Zodiac Killer .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 02:44:34 pm

Just thought I would make the point that , although anyone is free , at your pleasure Richard , to bring up any aspect to this case...it would appear to be of little value generally , to bring the '' Gareth Penn '' factor , into debate .

If , for example , the Zodiac was involved as an annoying hoaxer , it would more than likely be , as in part at least , because Garth Penn's initial involvement , to try to assist the case....which he , Gareth Penn did indeed do and , was found to be himself , by the FBI , to have NOT been complicit in Joan's disappearance ,nor as the identity of the Zodiac , beyond reasonable doubt .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 02:54:21 pm

....and I see now that , you have alluded to Gareth Penn's intentions to assist the Joan Webster case , in a positive manner .

I think that there has to be a point , sometimes , when the overwhelming evidence suggests that law enforcement are conveying the general truth of the matter ( ? ) .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 03:12:21 pm

The $10,000 reward documented , was cranked up to $50,000 , by George Webster , after a short space of time .

About $350,000 in to-day's money , and certainly escalated the attention brought to bear , and claims made , on George and his family .

Unfortunately , and unlike Gareth Penn's assistance , often unwelcome .

Richard

5/7/2020 03:22:06 pm

Cheers for the input Rubislaw. Zonked out after all the reading and editing I've done on this topic today. We'll see what transpires tomorrow.

Richard

5/7/2020 03:54:30 pm

April 4, 1982 Report of anonymous letter mailed from Cambridge to the Middlesex DA claiming Joan was in a bag and to search Walden Pond.

April 21, 1982 2 cards to the Websters claiming knowledge about Joan.

From the website linked in the article.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 04:34:39 pm

To fill in a few details , in strictly precised form , Joan had flown , from Logan Airport , to Newark Airport , to be with her family ( Parents : George and Eleanor , sister Anne , brother Steve and his wife Eve Carson ) for a Thanksgiving weekend get together .

Her family were anticipating that they would be meeting Joan's new boyfriend , for the first time . But unfortunately , he had given excuses to Joan , prior to her journey , and did not turn up for the family gathering . Joan's family were never to know the boyfriend's identity , Although Joan had intimated that he was significantly older than she was , at 25 years .

Joan's decision to cut short her family gathering by one day , and fly back to Cambridge ( Harvard ) appeared to be for work reasons . But the reality seems to have actually been , to meet with her boyfriend .

It now appears almost certain , that this boyfriend ( The Bearded Man ) met Joan at Logan Airport , and both with suitcases , attempted to acquire a taxi . The Bearded Man lost patience with the first taxi driver , when finding himself unable to fit the two ( large ) suitcases in the boot of the taxi and , the Bearded Man insisted that they attempt to hire another taxi .

That is the last that the public are aware of the whereabouts of Joan , but it is assumed that Joan and the Bearded Man did leave Logan Airport , and together .

There had been the semblance of an altercation between the first taxi driver and the Bearded Man , and the composite of the Bearded Man , is based largely on the description from the taxi driver , at close distance to the Bearded Man .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 05:14:49 pm

When the remains of Joan Webster's body was discovered in woodlands ,near Hamilton MA ,by a woman walking her dog , in April 1990 , it became apparent that part of Joan's skull had been subjected to damaging force . So,although cause of death could not be determined definitively , it does seem the Joan had suffered blunt force trauma to her head .

Her remains had been placed in a large plastic refuse-like bag , and placed beneath a pile of cut and broken branches of trees .Examination of the wood pile revealed that someone may have visited the site a number of times , in the eight and a half years since her disappearance , to add fresh wood cuts to the pile .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 06:56:48 pm

So , perhaps stating the obvious , but we observe a commercialised postcard relating to a professional Santa Claus , from New York .....which is then placed in a commercialised envelope , relating to a journal , which is Austin , Texas related .

In all probability , the sender , '' S C '' is OK about inferring that he has been , in both New York and Austin , and has pilfered the postcard and envelope , for the purposes of sending a request on matters related to a reward , for information relating to Joan Webster , to Joan's family address , in New Jersey .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 07:16:54 pm

I would suggest that commercialised items , such as a postcard and envelope , are very much the domain of hotels .

One visits a hotel , and often , more particularly in the hotel foyer where can relax and order a coffee or tea , there is a selection of commercialised literature on local information and places to visit . This might include '' help yourself '' minor freebies , such as writing material which one can use , on the basis that a local business benefits from the attached advertising .

So , it would seem , the postcard and envelope have been acquired from a hotel in New York , and a hotel in Austin Texas .

It would appear that '' S C '' is a travelling worker , such as a salesman , or company rep. .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 08:03:47 pm

Well ,well , well....

On the postcard from '' S C '' :

Please ,

where can I write you , ? .

Does anyone notice the '' dropped a '' in '' Please '' and '' can '' ?

It's the same typewriter fault , that emerged in the '' concerned citizen '' typed letter , to Detective Sergeant John Lynch .

Could be that '' concerned citizen '' , the Zodiac and '' S C '' are one and the same person .

'' Stone the crows '' .

Richard

5/7/2020 11:30:32 pm

You wouldn't believe me Rubislaw, if I told you yes, I did notice the a's and e's compared to the concerned citizen card. I had initially included this in the original draught of the article but deleted it. The "a" drops slighly to the left and down and some of the "e's" are below the midline. The reason I deleted it was because of the inconsistency and slight discrepancies with the other typed letters. But well spotted.

Toots

5/8/2020 09:05:19 am

The lowercase "s" is also higher in the Santa Clause letter and the A Concerned Citizen.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/7/2020 08:57:14 pm

Indeed strange about '' Mr.Z '' who gave my mother a Yorkshire Terrier , called '' Prudence '' , probably named after Sharon Tate's Yorkshire Terrier , who was named after Mia Farrow's sister , Prudence .

Mr.Z 's parents ,in 1982 , had retired to Austin , Texas .

I need a lie down .

Richard

5/7/2020 11:37:08 pm

The journey from California (LA) to New York by road passes through Texas. The song "I'm on my way to Amarillo" takes on a whole new dimension!

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 03:02:59 am

For me , Richard , it's virtually '' Case solved '' .

Indeed interesting what you have to say about the typewriter imperfections . I had a good look at the '' e's '' , and it's a close call on imperfection ( ? ) .

What I perceive also , '' possibly '' , is that the '' D '' on '' Deliver '' , with the S C postcard......and the '' D '' on '' Dear '' , with the '' concerned citizen '' letter.....are both slightly '' raised '' , as an imperfection .

Could be correct , also ( ? ) .

I wonder if all the information that Eve Carson has made available , in hidden attachment form , contains any actual further examples of potential hoaxing / extorting material ?

Perhaps Toots knows ( ? ) .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 03:22:58 am

Yes , it is tentatively exciting...and to think that your '' The Santa Claus Card '' topic could potentially be the '' Sleuths breakthrough '' .

It does seem more likely now , that LE have had both the Brenda Page case and the Joan Webster case '' together '' since March 2015 , to ascertain whether the Zodiac was just involved in hoaxing , in both cases....or , murder also ( ? ) . It seems that we already know the answer to the Brenda Page case (...just hoaxing.. ).

But , what of the Joan Webster case (...both or one ( ? ) ..) .

( Morf really ought to lay everything ,including e-mails , out on the table , in public , if only to be viewed at his site , since the New Canaan Letters ' package ' was leaked to him , by the FBI , for him to do this...in March / April 2015 . )

The longer Morf leaves it , the worse it is going to look for him , in the long run .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 03:30:04 am

Couldn't Morf let you have it all , and put it out as a topic at this , your site ( ? ) .

Richard

5/8/2020 04:40:51 am

All the material on the Canaan letters are freely available on Zodiac Killer Site forum. You used to be a member Rubislaw?. If not now, rejoin to gain access to all the letters. The Canaan letters currently don't interest me as Zodiac correspondence, but of course, all discussion regarding them I have no problem with. We all have different views.

Shawn

5/8/2020 09:29:58 am

As far as Gareth Penn.

IMO, He has offered nothing to the advancement of solving the Zodiac case.

He has offered a bunch material that is a waste of time including his suspect "O'hare", filling up the FBI archives with a bunch of junk and publishing a book that few have read or want to.

The only reason he got any attention is because he is a professor willing to go on TV with his Radians theory that is a waste of time too.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 04:03:44 am

I'll see if I can Contact Toots , to join in .

It does look likely that George had a mistress - I wonder where ? (..half knowing the answer , albeit mischievously stated...)

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 05:02:14 am

Thanks Richard , I have just always only made it a point to join sites , where i have the time available , to contribute , and have yet to try to join Morf's site .

I have contacted Toots , about seeing if he knows if Eve Carson actually has any hoaxing / extorting material related to Joan's case...as opposed to simply official LE stuff .

I suspect that this is a good day , for the Zodiac case , in the public domain...and a good day for your site ( ! ) . Cheers .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 06:23:12 am

I'll leave this section of a letter , sent by Jonathan Blodgett , District Attorney for Essex County , MA , to Eve Carson , dated March 2nd 2015 .

At the time , Eve Carson , without '' verified family status '' was struggling to persuade Blodgett , then custodian of the Joan Webster case file , to release information on her late sister-in-law's murder .

Jonathan Blodgett , to Eve Carson , March 2nd 2015 , as to why he was unable to pass any information on to Eve :

'' As I informed you , this office , is in co-operation with the renewal into investigations into other unsolved , and possibly connecting murders , from the same era . ''

March 2nd 2015 was six days following the Lord Advocate's formal request that Police Scotland re-investigate the murder of Brenda Page , July 14th 1978 .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 08:08:50 am

Well , I'm still waiting on Toots , Richard , didn't he realise that we are not allowed to sleep , these days ( ? ).

Now then , what are the chances of the July 19th 1978 typed letter to the San Francisco Chronicle , having the same typewriter faults , as the '' concerned citizen '' letter , and the April 1982 '' S C '' postcard ?

And indeed , that the presumed Zodiac actually typed '' Aquatic '' , instead of '' Athletic '' ?

No wonder we haven't heard from Mr.Graysmith , in a long while ( ? ) . Apparently , I came within a whisker of Mr.Graysmith willing to speak with me - so claims a certain Mr.Fagan .

But , you know , as the saying goes '' A miss is as good as a mile .''. And , if it's coming from Hearst Corporation employee , Kevin Fagan , what really , should one believe ?

Toots

5/8/2020 09:49:08 am

Interesting that the return address on the SC card of
654 Grand View Avenue, Ridgewood, NY
doesn't actually exist.

There is an address like that in;
654 Grand View Avenue, Valparaiso, IN

Any connection to
Valparaiso, Chile?

and one of the most controversial chapters in U.S. intelligence history, the CIA's covert operations in Chile from 1964 to 1974?

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 12:58:09 pm

Hi Toots , and I was only joking about sleep deprivation .

Now , that's an interesting claim on '' 654 Grand View Avenue , Ridgewood , NY '' never having existed .

Are you sure ? The printing of it , looks pretty straightforward , as a commercial advertising means . A sort of '' Hire a Santa for your grotto '' .

Maybe , in 1982 it existed...but not now ( ? ) .

I can't see the CIA link , being anything other than George being able to '' pull rank '' a bit more , with senior police , on a say about his missing daughter , than anything else .....surely ( ? ) .

Toots

5/8/2020 01:44:07 pm

Just remember, George Webster worked for ITT. ITT seemed to be a cover for CIA's - Chile intervention, especially with ITT's interest in Chile's telecom; Chitelco

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 01:56:39 pm

Indeed Toots , nothing should be dismissed out of hand . It's just important to keep things , in perspective .

A young woman disappears and , no matter what strange or secretive aspects that we might perceive from a probably '' prickly '' George Webster , he is a desperate man , now , who would do absolutely anything to get his daughter back .

Inside , George is devastated and , anything that might appear clumsy , can only be interpreted as a display of that desperation and devastation .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 01:31:15 pm

Anyway , I think we are all generally agreed that , in all probability , the same typewriter has been employed , to write to Joan Webster's family , in April 1982 , and Detective Sergeant John Lynch of the Vallejo P.D. , on August 10th 1969 , with the accompanying envelope , having a San Francisco postmark .

'' S C '' = '' concerned citizen ''

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 04:36:04 pm

Hey Toots , there is a 645 Grandview Avenue , Ridgewood , NY.

It just seems that , since 1982 , '' Grand View '' has become '' Grandview ''

So , both the Austin and New York addresses , for the purposes of commercialisation , appear genuine and authentic .

Toots

5/8/2020 05:26:21 pm

There's a 6-45, but not a 645. I wouldnt think a business would make that mistake on their printed address. Ive looked at the street view of Google maps, the dashes are printed on the homes/businesses.

I don't believe G. Webster necessarily did anything wrong, rather I believe our self-righteous Zodiac acted on his mistrust and disdain for the government agency.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 06:01:01 pm

On Google images there countless three-digit address for '' Grandview Avenue '' , both before 654 and after 654 , and can't see a problem with the commercialised address ( ? ) . I'm sure the local town planning department would be able to confirm this .

Yes ,I do agree with you on George and , the composite of the Bearded Man was held back for good reasons , initially , if there was any chance that Joan was still alive , and being held against her will .
But , certainly a surprise that the composite didn't emerge sometime after , even though by then , it would be an admission that all hope of her still being alive , had been lost .

Indeed, on possible motives for a probable Zodiac to '' attack '' with his sick hoaxing and displays of '' menacing means '' .Such knowledge as George's CIA links , would be a '' red rag to a bull '' for the Zodiac .

It is certainly looking as if the Zodiac did persecute George Webster , as he , the Zodiac , had , more than likely done to Joseph Bates , Randolph Hearst and Richard Nixon , also and , specifically over their daughters .

But , was it actually the Zodiac that also murdered Joan Webster ?

Only official law enforcement can secure that answer .Although now seeing , beyond reasonable doubt that , the same person to construct the '' 408 '' cipher , was the same person who communicated with the Webster family , as '' S C ''....then the probability becomes much higher that the Zodiac did kill Joan Webster, in addition .

Toots

5/8/2020 06:54:57 pm

I certainly believe the murder of Joan Webster was clearly a statement against the government. What are the odds of CIA parents having a daughter murdered.

This is a stretch, but worth mentioning based on Zs warped mind...check out the U.S. history of I.T.T. lobbyist, Dita Beard. Interesting that we are talking about a bearded man picking up Joan at airport.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 07:14:20 pm

It is certainly possible that Joan Webster mentioning such things about her father to the Beaded Man , attracted him more to her .

But all evidence suggests that he met her , at Logan Airport ,and that she was not whisked off , as such , against her will .

The first taxi driver did not see her as '' smiling and beaming '' , but neither crying for help either ( ? ) .

The impression anyway , is that Joan seemed a little fatigued , and the Bearded Man was acting bossy .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/8/2020 07:04:37 pm

Just to make it crystal clear to readers :

Official law enforcement confirm that :

The Zodiac did construct the '' 408 '' cipher .
The Zodiac did murder Darlene Ferrin
The Zodiac did murder Betty Lou Jensen and David Farraday

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 02:36:51 am

Just to add , at this juncture , I find that when in doubt , force yourself to think the obvious , and see if anything further comes of it .

With Joan's disappearance , she was last generally reported at Logan Airport , seeking a taxi with a Bearded Man who was seen by one or two that were familiar with Joan - at distance . But this purported first taxi driver , got as good a look at him , as an stranger is likely to have...and hence the composite of the Bearded Man , that is freely available to view , on the internet .

Now , unless Eve Carson knows different , then what we know is that this Bearded Man never came forward , to own up to being the last person to have been seen to be accompanying Joan .

That , in all probability , is telling in itself .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 02:58:16 am

Ms.Carson has intimated that , as far as she is aware , a second taxi was sought .

If the Bearded Man had '' play acted '' failing to fit the two large suitcases into the boot of the first taxi , as a pretext , to secure another vehicle's services , surely Joan would have smelled a rat , and at least remonstrated with the Bearded Man , in what was surely a public place ( ? ) .

So , again in all probability , either Joan and the Bearded Man did secure the services of a second taxi , or the Bearded Man elected that he should hire a car himself , at the Airport .

In both of the two previous scenarios , it seems unlikely that investigating police do not have more information . Information for which , we the public are so far , denied .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 04:21:38 am

I think that one realises that , nowadays , the Bearded Man would never get away with non-identification ( ? ) .

The probability is that the Bearded Man flew in to Logan Airport , on an earlier flight to Joan . Then met Joan , when she arrived . In those days , it would have been easy to pay cash for flight seat , and give a false same . Now , it is almost impossible to fly internally , without a passport , as well as overseas .

In addition , the quotas and control of Taxi Licences are very strict , throughout the western world , In those days '' pirate taxis '' operating without a licence were rife and , somewhere as restricted , as a major airport , almost impossible to get away with , without being spotted immediately , if only by the official taxi drivers , themselves .

Initial reaction to Joan's disappearance from her family , the police and press , does seem as if it was virtually assumed that she had been kidnapped , and a possible ransom demand was anticipated , that never arrived , even with credibility from a hoaxer .

It does appear also , then , that Joan was dead , within a few hours , at most , of her leaving Logan Airport . My instincts are , that it was by the Bearded Man , and as a result of an argument where , the Bearded Man felt rejected .

I think that the clues to Joan's killer , were still to be found in the paperwork at both Newark and Logan Airport , but the investigating work , was not thorough , enough .

But , I believe that law enforcement know who killed Joan , now .

Richard

5/9/2020 08:13:45 am

If the Zodiac Killer had travelled from Los Angeles to Texas by car, say January 1981 Rubislaw (or late 1980), he could have travelled through Texas, and picked up the Better Life Journal envelope on his journey through Austin. His next port of call in the early months of 1981 would have been Atlanta, Georgia where he claimed he had now killed children and was targetting more. The last murder in the Atlanta child murders series was on May 11th 1981. The Zodiac then leaves Atlanta for New York, where he picks up the Santa Claus card in the November of 1981. Los Angeles to Atlanta is a virtual straight line across the country, through Texas. U.S. Route 20 or U.S. Highway 20 (US 20) is an east–west United States highway that stretches from the Pacific Northwest all the way to New England. The Zodiac then travels north east to New York and Massachusetts (Boston's Logan International Airport) where he abducts and murders Joan Webster. Then a month and later he uses both envelope and card he picked up on his travels. Now, I don't know if Zodiac had anything to do with her murder, but the Atlanta letter places him on that trajectory 9 months prior to her disappearance. If we can find any other suspected Zodiac material on this route around 1980, 1981 or 1982 we could build a useful suspicion.

Richard

5/9/2020 08:14:54 am

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Los+Angeles,+CA,+USA/Texas,+USA/Atlanta,+GA,+USA/@25.43298,-96.1234752,4.03z/data=!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2c75ddc27da13:0xe22fdf6f254608f4!2m2!1d-118.2436849!2d34.0522342!1m5!1m1!1s0x864070360b823249:0x16eb1c8f1808de3c!2m2!1d-99.9018131!2d31.9685988!1m5!1m1!1s0x88f5045d6993098d:0x66fede2f990b630b!2m2!1d-84.3879824!2d33.7489954!3e0

Toots

5/9/2020 05:07:05 pm

Richard,
I like your theory of Z on a car ride travelling from NCal to Texas, Atlanta, the East Coast. Z was done with NCal and had to get out of there, as it was too hot.

Toots

5/9/2020 06:13:57 pm

Richard,
There was 1 issue of Better Life Journal (June 1981) in the Austin Public Library.

See this url for the periodical listing;

https://library.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/p-list.pdf

Richard

5/9/2020 11:46:25 pm

Thanks Toots

Toots

5/9/2020 07:17:20 am

Richard,
Are you able to zoom in on the "SC", specifically inside the C? What is the mark inside the C? To me it looks like a very small A. Is it a clue to CA?

Richard

5/9/2020 07:34:22 am

There were many black marks on the originals caused by the photocopying process and like reproduction of this material Toots. The others marks (that were obvious smaller specks) I removed, but this I left in place just in case it was part of the original. I don't think it was part of the original, but I did blow it up and the nearest thing I can describe it as, is a C with a small vertical line on the bottom inside of the C, that doesn't quite reach the top of the C.

Toots

5/9/2020 05:02:36 pm

If you rotate the card clockwise, inside the C is a sloppy, small uppercase A.

Ca = California

Toots

5/9/2020 07:52:35 am

Also what is the "stamp-like" image of the 2 kids sitting next to each other, with Merry Christmas"...on the Santa Claus card (envelope back with superimposed newspaper cutting). Why is that 1 stamp there?

Toots

5/9/2020 08:08:11 am

What I see is,
2 kids sitting on a swing.
With a large hand palm holding them.

As if to say, "these kids are in the palm of my hand." A fitting image for an extortionist.

I cant make out whats written at the top, but its clearly "Merry Christmas" at the bottom.

Richard

5/9/2020 08:32:28 am

Yes, it's two kids sitting on a swing, with Merry Christmas. I can't make out the wording at the top. I have blown up the image. Use this link, or visit photographs 11 in the search box on this site.
https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/kids-on-swing_orig.gif

Richard

5/9/2020 08:48:19 am

In past years, non-denominated postage issued by the United States differed from the issues of other countries, in that the stamps retained their original monetary value. Some stamps, such as those intended for local or bulk mail rate, were issued without denomination.

This practice began in 1975, when there was uncertainty as to the timing and extent of a rate increase from ten cents for the first ounce of first class postage as the end of the year approached. Christmas stamps were released without denomination, giving the United States Postal Service flexibility to refrain from reprinting hundreds of millions of stamps in a new denomination. The rate increase, to thirteen cents (US$0.13), occurred just after Christmas.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 08:32:52 am

Nice spot , Toots , I couldn't make it out .

Richard

5/9/2020 09:22:27 am

I have placed the magnified stamp on the envelope in the article image.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 08:46:24 am

These are the items recovered , belonging to Joan Webster :

Joan's purse , at the side of the road , at Saugus , on the outskrts of Logan Airport . Money believed to have been inside , had been removed .

Joan's Blue Lark suitcase - purportedly , but not confirmed , found at Boston Greyhound Bus Station . Previously unopened . On January 29th 1982 .

Joan's Tote Bag , which had accompanied her , as a passenger , was never found . But its contents emptied in an unspecified place , were recovered . The contents :

Music Albums
Items of clothing
Items of jewellery
A Broadway show program - Pirates of Penzance , by Gilbert&Sullivan

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 09:36:22 am

Joan flew on Eastern Flight 960 , Newark to Boston Logan , November 28th 1981 . She was not reported missing until two days after her flight .
Here is a list documenting messages received , following Joan Webster's disappearance ( As of three years ago ) :

December 9th 1981 : Unspecified phone call of extortion , to George and Eleanor .

December 18th 1981 : A phone call to George and Eleanor , claiming Joan was still alive .

January 19th 1982 : Anonymous phone call to Saugus Police , claiming that Leonard Paradiso is responsible for the murders of Marie Ianuzzi and Joan Webster . Later identified as '' Patty Bono '' .

January 25th 1982 : Anonymous letter to Boston Police , claiming Joan Webster was murdered at a University fraternity party .

April 4th 1982 : Anonymous letter , unspecified content , from Cambridge , MA , to the District Attorney of Middlesex County , MA .

April 21st 1982 : Two cards sent to Webster Family , claiming knowledge of Joan Webster .

May 2nd 1982 : Anonymous phone call to George and Eleanor , claiming that Joan Webster was alive .

October 14th 1982 : A phone call of extortion , and claiming that Joan Webster was still alive . Caller identified as '' Harvey Martel '' .

October 25th 1982 : Anonymous phone call , claiming that Joan Webster was being held by drug dealers , in Maine .

All calls were taped .

The composite of the Bearded Man was ready for release into the public domain , December 1981 - about one month following Joan's disappearance . But , this never materialised .

Richard

5/9/2020 09:36:33 am

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 09:50:50 am

I will certainly bear in mind the 1980 , 1981 , 1982 years , Richard .

Naturally , we know beyond reasonable doubt , that the Zodiac seemed to be a regular traveller . Interesting to ruminate on , how much of this was motoring , and how much was flying ( ? ) .

Indeed , I have taken note , in the past about the time proximity of Joan's remains recovered , and the September 25th 1990 Celebrity Cypher . It seems to compete with the divorce of the Hardens , as a possible '' pre-empter '' .

I see now '' April 21st 1982 : Two cards sent to Webster Family , claiming knowledge of Joan Webster . ''

Two cards ?

Perhaps , this Santa Claus card has a '' twin '' ?

I wonder if Eve Carson can help out , here ?

Richard

5/9/2020 11:06:16 am

I wonder if she was aware of the Santa Claus card, because there is no mention of it on her site - and whether she has any images of any other cards or letters.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 11:44:02 am

Toots may know , as a regular contributor to the Joan Webser pages at the Websleuths forums site .

It could well be that the second card gives '' too much '' away ( ? ) .

However , it certainly looks like we have spotted the typewriter link , between probable Zodiac and extort / hoaxer of the Websters .

I don't suppose the authorities were expecting that ?

Well , the FBI did decide to spread Joan's case all over their Zodiac files , in no particular order....which they seem want to do , when they don't seem to want too much attention paid .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 12:02:12 pm

The great fire of Lynn of 1981 started within a few hours of what transpired to be , the last time Joan Webster was seen alive .

The coastal town of Lynn lies approximately at the mid-point , between Boston , and Hamilton , where Joan's remains were eventually found .

Started by an incendiary device , placed by an unknown arsonist , the fire raged for days , destroying over 300 businesses and homes , and caused 10's of millions of dollars of damage .

It has been speculated that Joan's perpetrator may have been responsible , using it as a diversionary tactic , when seeking to hide Joan's body . Hamilton's closest seaside town is Manchester-by-the-sea where , coincidentally , the first official Zodiac suspect , William Grant , was born and raised .

In another strange twist , the fire broke out exactly 92 years ,to the day , after the first great fire of Lynn ,on November 29th 1889 .

Richard

5/9/2020 01:50:18 pm

A lot of strange twists indeed. The main suspect in Joan's murder was Leonard Paradiso (Lenny the Quahog). The Celebrity Cypher could have read "Do you know me. Ny name is Lenny Paradiso". But only if Zodiac was playing games. Take this with a big pinch of salt mind.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 02:13:21 pm

Yes ,Paradiso seems to have been the fall guy for Joan's disappearance , found guilty of Marie Ianuzzi's murder , based on suspicion's that he was also culpable of '' High Society Girl '' Joan's murder , also .

It didn't help in any way , with George and Eleanor attending his pre-trial hearings , and gaining more press attention , than anyone connected to the Ianuzzi case .

Paradiso was duly found guilty , and ended up spending his last 27 years in prison , protesting his complete innocence , to the last .

But , no one seemed to shed a tear for him . A lobster fisherman who dabbled in small-time drug dealing , known to mistreat women , and never pay his taxes - most people , at the time , seemed to think that justice had been served .

Richard

5/9/2020 02:21:23 pm

Did you notice that this communication used three colon's in the typing, whereas in the last 1981 communication used a colon after the words "pick off". Unheard of for Zodiac in his letters, but not these two correspondences.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 03:01:57 pm

Interesting on what little there is on offer , Richard .

I notice also that there is a '' full stop '' surplus to requirements , after the question mark . (....write you , ? . )

So , possible that the dot after '' S C '' is just a jabbing full stop ( ? ).

With also , of course , the two extra colons , again surplus to requirements .

(...I think I'll check on the type written D B Cooper letters , again...)

Richard

5/9/2020 04:23:26 pm

I think we can evaluate the "where can I write you" in combination with the incomplete address of Glen Ridge NJ as somebody who wasn't close enough to the family to have known automatically the full address. If the author had a hand in her murder, it's my guess it's a stranger. I don't see any subterfuge in addressing the envelope so vaguely. The adding of the newspaper cutting around the envelope, by its nature, is insensitive at best and malicious at worst. But it also complimented the incomplete address, making sure there was no confusion as to where the author wanted it delivered.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/9/2020 04:43:46 pm

Indeed , if , as is likely it is the Zodiac ( S C ) , then one feels , on the surface at least , that he is viewing an opportunity to muscle in on a '' High Society '' case , with George , as the father , at the Zodiac's mercy for a real '' persecution going over '' .

I wonder with this probable April 21st 1982 date for the Santa Claus card , whether the presumed Zodiac had heard of a '' Gareth Penn / Zodiac '' intervention ,in Joan's case , by then ( ? )

Richard

5/9/2020 11:44:20 pm

You mean January 21st 1982 Rubislaw.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 03:25:54 am

The information , with respect to phone calls / letters etc , for the first year after Joan's disappearance , I found at the Joan Webster website , about two and half years ago , and believe to be correct .

But ,it will be a devil of a job , to re-find that information ,in a short time.

I'm still inclined to go with April 21st 1982 for this Santa Claus card , with a probable second card , arriving at the Websters , on the same day .

But obviously , not in a position to be insistent .

Richard

5/10/2020 01:46:38 am

Gareth Penn also contacted the Webster family on March 3rd 1982, outlining his suspicions that her disappearance was at the hands of the Zodiac Killer and his suspect. Here is the letter in 2 parts.

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/penn1_orig.png

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/penn2_orig.png

Richard

5/10/2020 03:02:41 am

This was followed on March 5th 1982 by the Zodiac Familiarization Kit giving a brief overview of his thoughts, but describing the article “Portrait of the Artist as a Mass Murderer" featured in "California Magazine" last November as sensationalized and trivialized, and not to his liking.

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/pennmarch5_orig.png

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/pennmarch51_orig.png

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/pennmarch52_orig.png

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/pennmarch53_orig.png

Richard

5/10/2020 03:46:12 am

To view all, type "photographs 12" into the site search box.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 04:02:44 am

The following is what the FBI , had concluded about Gareth Penn's work , which indicated that the Zodiac had been responsible for the disappearance and murder of Joan Webster :

May 7th 1982

'' Most of Penn's theories are based on conjecture and numerous assumptions . Some assumptions are probably correct . However , Penn's selecting dissects the literal , often misquoting material and presents results only if they corroborate with the overall theme of his solution . On a cryptanalysis , mathematical and technical basis , the laboratory contends that the results are forced and inconsistent . ''

So , the FBI were not willing to take Penn's work seriously , but clearly , the FBI were willing to take the possibility of the Zodiac's involvement , in some way , in the disappearance of Joan Webster , seriously .

Perhaps , it is the case then , that with a missive such as the Santa Claus card , then the FBI were quick to notice the typewriter link , between the Santa Claus card , and the '' concerned citizen '' letter , thereby awakening themselves , the FBI , and to their own satisfaction , of a Zodiac link , to the Webster case .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 04:31:25 am

I have a reasonably good theory , backed with some FBI documentation , on how the Bearded Man ( Zodiac option open ) came to ( probably ) murder Joan .

And come back with that , here , shortly .

Richard

5/10/2020 04:58:09 am

Certainly Rubislaw, my purpose for linking these letters is to build the timeline regarding the Santa Claus card and Penn's involvement in the Webster case, not to endorse in any way these monumentally ridiculous code games. Had Zodiac employed such methods as suggested by Penn, the Zodiac Killer would never have found the time to leave the house. Gareth Penn, nobody is arguing was not an extremely intelligent individual, but being intelligent doesn't exclude you from ever being stupid. I know of very few people who take these mathematical games involving binary numbers and Morse code from Gareth Penn, as serious suggestions. And just because the police dismissed him out of hand, doesn't mean it went above their heads. People often say that when somebody doesn't accept their theory.

The need to discuss Penn's theories, we can both agree, isn't required. But creating a timeline around Joan's disappearance is. It is also sometimes advantageous not to get sidelined by conclusions about Joan Webster's disappearance and murder from other sources.

The Santa Claus card couldn't have been mailed on April 21st 1982, because Gareth Penn's communication stating his thanks at receiving the photocopies of the Santa Claus card and envelope was dated April 5th 1982. Therefore, the Webster family must have received the Santa Claus communication prior to April 5th. The newspaper cutting was from the January 20th 1982 New York Daily News, so my guess is the author cut it out and likely mailed the card January 20, 21, 22, 23, or sometime shortly after the newspaper was published.

Richard

5/10/2020 05:24:53 am

Gareth Penn's whole shtick was analyzing the cards and letters and attempting to decode them. He talked about Zodiac's body of literature in his first letter to the Webster's on March 3rd 1982. He must have got wind of the Santa Claus card sometime in March 1982 and requested a copy, which he acknowledged receipt of on April 5th. In other words, he had to find out about the card, contact the Webster's or their representatives, and then wait to receive the photocopies, to which he acknowledged. Therefore, it's wholly conceivable this process took anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. I cannot see the Santa Claus card being mailed any later than the January of 1982.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 05:51:06 am

Absolutely Richard , and I read you loud and clear . The most important aspect , primarily , is the facts that are available , in their rightful and accurate place .

Then , we have a reliable foundation , for looking at options .

I'll put this persuasive theory forward first , on the circumstances that led to Joan's death , then I'll go back , myself on basics , and re-checking anything available .'' Joan Webster '' as a victim , with or without the Zodiac as a perpetrator , is certainly a '' Live wire '' case , and worthy of closer inspection .

And , I think its important to acknowledge Penn's role , and not necessarily knock him , just because his theory was not watertight . He still has played a notable part , in the rich tapestry of the case .

But yes - facts established are the priority , here , for a greater understanding .

Richard

5/10/2020 06:03:59 am

At the bottom of the four pages of the letter sent by Gareth Penn to the Webster's on March 5th 1982, he add "Enclosures", where he supplies lots of his theories which I didn't attach. At the foot of the March 5th 1982 correspondence he writes to the Webster family "I'd like to ask you to think about sending me photocopies of the letters you have received in response to your reward announcement". So, Gareth Penn was aware of the Santa Claus card on March 5th 1982. That places it definitely between January 20th and March 5th. But the fact he says "letters you have received in response to your reward announcement", implies that the Santa Claus card was very likely mailed shortly after January 20th 1982. I would hazard a guess at January 21st 1982.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 06:14:22 am

Indeed , I can't fault that logic .

My only reservations , at this early stage of a re-visit to Joan's case is , are we talking about the Santa Claus card as a '' one and only '' correspondence , received by the Zodiac , at that ( or other ) stage , in the timeline ( ? ) .

And , don't mean to come across as putting the cat among the pigeons , since the Santa Claus card is , at least , something that we know that we have .

Without viewing anything else , that '' might be '' Zodiac , to date , indeed we should initially , stick with what can '' see '' , at present .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 06:36:42 am

...and just ( merely ) to plant a thought on this Joan Webster angle is , about the Zodiac's possible use and ownership of typewriters .

The '' concerned citizen '' letter '' more than probably '' was created in Vallejo . Whereas this Santa Claus card , probably New York ( ? ) .
But , same typewriter....which was physical transported ,13 years later . I think the Zodiac owned 2 or 3 typewriters , as time went on .

And , if anyone knows whether typewriter faults were easy to get fixed ( ? )...'' back in the day '' .

Richard

5/10/2020 06:53:27 am

Just for advocates of Gareth Penn as the Zodiac Killer, I have quadrupled the size of my Gareth Penn page on this site. Regardless, it contains all the links to the above communications and more.

Richard

5/10/2020 07:35:41 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7-uJYreteU

Richard

5/10/2020 10:16:44 am

My mistake above, the letter from Gareth Penn requesting the Santa Claus card (or photocopies of the letters you have received in response to your reward announcement) was dated March 26th 1982. My apologies.

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 11:22:35 am

I suspect that we are all walking on egg-shells , Richard , and no one needs to apologise , if intentions are true ( ? ) .

Strange how , following an initial burst of energy , in these circumstances , there is a lull in abilities to move forward again.

I'm even scared to go back to the Zodiac FBI Files .

Richard

5/10/2020 11:44:08 am

I've contacted Eve Carson about her knowledge of any other "dodgy" communications around the relevant time period. Hopefully she can help.

Richard

5/10/2020 12:00:21 pm

The author of the card used just Glen Ridge NJ. Just like the January 20th 1982 newspaper clipping, despite the full address being available elsewhere. Could this indicate a hurriedness to fire off this communication?

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 12:26:20 pm

Although we are still stabbing in the dark , a bit , a little chink of light is that the presumed Zodiac has employed '' two '' commercialised elements to his '' Santa Claus Package '' - New York and Austin .

I suspect that he is either mailing this card from the vicinity of a New York hotel or Austin hotel , which means that he is a travelling worker...and not someone that walked into a single hotel , to pick up his intended commercialised stationery , for the purposes of contacting the Websters .

In addition , and as you have intimated , he has not employed the full Webster address . Has he actually not had that information readily available to him ( ? ) - even though he is perceived as an '' eagle-eyed '' kind of a guy .

Perhaps , he has just recently arrived from overseas ( ? ) , and has not had the sort of full knowledge of access , that someone else might have had , able to read a homeland newspaper , on a day-to-day basis .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 12:43:41 pm

....and , further to this train of thought , would the presumed Zodiac , be carting round '' that old typewriter '' with him , that he was using , back in 1969 ( ? ) .As a travelling businessman ( ? ) .

Perhaps '' that old typewriter '' actually went back further , in time . The first typewriter that he ever acquired ( ? ) . Although a bit '' busted '' ,that old typewriter that had sentimental attachment , on account of the one his parents gave him , and now resides at his family home, and the only one he had handy to use , at the time ( ? ) .
Did , in 1982 , the Zodiac have more than business contact to New York or Austin . One of the two places , anyway , where his old typewriter now resided ( ? ) .

Rubislaw 32 link

5/10/2020 01:28:05 pm

If there is a '' moral '' of sorts , to the '' train of thought '' story I have just told , it is this :

That the Santa Claus typed card , was deliberately brief in the typed message , and that it is unlikely that the presumed Zodiac will have employed his old typewriter , with its dropped '' a's '' again .

Regardless of its date , it does seem as if there was another piece of '' twin '' mail , that went with it to the Websters and , it remains tantalising to think what that other piece of mail , might be .

THE SANTA CLAUS CARD

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