THROUGH THE EYES OF KATHLEEN

8/4/2019

Kathleen Johns

It has been claimed by Kathleen Johns that she received phone calls and a Halloween card (likely October 1970) from the Zodiac Killer, addressed "To the woman in the blue station wagon". This greeting card may have been simultaneously mailed with the Halloween card to Paul Avery on October 27th 1970, so it would be interesting to search for correlations between the 10/27/70 Halloween card and the abduction of Kathleen Johns. If the two Halloween cards were mailed by the Zodiac Killer around the same timeframe, then the inclusion of "by fire" alongside "To the woman in the blue station wagon" would leave little doubt that the two are connected. Traveling clockwise around the 10/27/70 Halloween card, the Zodiac Killer presented the weapons he used in the correct order of their appearance up to March 23rd 1970 - By Gun, By Rope, By Knife and By Fire. The young woman apparently forwarded this card she received to newspaper reporter Paul Avery, but like everything else in the Zodiac case it disappeared into the ether (assuming her story is true). It has been claimed that if the Zodiac was responsible for the mailing of a Halloween card to Kathleen Johns, then he was responsible for her abduction, because no mention of her driving a blue station wagon was published in the newspapers. Without trawling the entire newspaper collection from 1970, I cannot verify this detail one way or another.

As has already been suggested, the Zodiac Killer (or her abductor) would have had ample time to rummage through her vehicle after her ordeal was over and search for any letters or documents that contained her address and telephone details. Having deposited his fingerprints all over her vehicle, this may explain why he thought it easier to torch her 1957 Chevrolet, and why he returned to her vehicle after the 2-hour abduction - to gather information for his future correspondence.

Kathleen Johns effectively contradicted herself when she named Lawrence Kane as her likely abductor that night, because he would have been 45 years of age on March 22nd 1970. She described her abductor as white, around 30 years of age, 5'9" in height, 160 lbs, dark hair, clean-cut and having the traits of a serviceman. So how can we reconcile this difference?

For people who still believe that the Zodiac Killer was 20-30 years of age during his attacks, while also believing that the Kathleen Johns abduction was the work of the Zodiac Killer, we have to consider the amount of time she spent in his vehicle and her detailed description regarding the interior of the vehicle. Kathleen described his car as messy and had noticed men's and children's clothing scattered about, along with books and papers, a black rubber-handled flashlight, and two colored plastic scouring pads on the console dashboard. Kathleen estimated that the smaller patterned T-shirts were designed in the age range of 8-12 years. Unless the Zodiac Killer was a traveling salesman selling children's clothing, or had borrowed the vehicle, a reasonable assumption would be that these haphazardly scattered clothes were part of a family vehicle. If Kathleen Johns upper estimate of the clothing was correct at 12 years - and a 20 to 30 year Zodiac conceived this child - he would have been approximately 8 to 18 years of age at the time (12 to 22 at the lower estimate), making the case for a Zodiac Killer of at least 30 or above more believable. If you don't accept that these clothes were necessarily the clothing of the Zodiac Killer's chidren, then an alternative explanation is necessary.

In 1972, the average age of fathers of newborns in the U.S. was 27 - so if the Zodiac was the biological father of the 12-year-old who wore the clothing present in his vehicle, then the statistical average would suggest a killer of about 39 years of age in 1970, in closer proximity to the age of Lawrence Kane (who she identified as her abductor), and very close to the average age of 40 described by three sets of eyewitnesses at Presidio Heights.

Howard Davis wrote on the old zodiackiller.com message board that "This woman felt that the PD rednecks were put off by Kathleen Johns hippy appearance and really didn't put much credence or interest in her recounting the event of that night". Was the same conclusion on the appearance of Kathleen Johns drawn by the Zodiac Killer, who paraphrased the Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado in his communication on July 26th 1970, opening with the lines from 'As Some Day it May Happen', performed by Ko-Ko. The beginning of Act One stated "As some day it may hapen that a victom must be found. I've got a little list. I've got a little list, of society offenders who might well be underground, who would never be missed, who would never be missed".

Did the Zodiac Killer regard Kathleen Johns hippy tendencies as part of the counterculture or underground movement that he had on his "little list".- people that wouldn't be missed? The letter mailed only two days earlier to the San Francisco Chronicle would suggest so. He wrote on July 24th 1970, threatening "This is the Zodiac speaking. I am rather unhappy because you people will not wear some nice (Zodiac symbol inserted) buttons. So now I have a little list, starting with that woeman + her baby that I gave a rather intersting ride for a coupple howers one evening a few months back that ended in my burning her car where I found them". The phrase "I now have a little list, starting with that woeman + her baby" appeared to suggest that her escape would be short-lived and that some day it might happen. It appeared that three months later she may still have been in his sights, when she apparently received a Halloween card from her abductor at her home address. He had promised to "start" with her and he wasn't finished yet.

The 'As Some Day it May Happen' verse ended with "But it really doesn't matter whom you place upon the list, for none of them be missed, none of them be missed". Sadly, Kathleen Johns is no longer with us and deeply missed by her loved ones - but fortunately for her family and friends, it wasn't at the hand of the Zodiac Killer.

8/5/2019 07:41:13 am

The kids clothing in the car may also suggest a possible pedophile, or someone who had access to other people’s vehicles when they were out of town.

Sully link

8/5/2019 10:29:48 pm

Kathy was 3rd trimester pregnant at that time of her abduction. She'd have had an extremely heightened sense to details.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/6/2019 01:44:34 am

I read up on some police reports,last night,Richard,with respect to this suspected abduction case.

It does seem that local police were quite thorough,initially.But,when it came to following up on ''suspect'' leads....although two men,in particular,in their sights...the leads seem never to have been followed up,on.

I have made known personal opinions,about the specific case,before....that this case represents two lovers [Ms.Johns and other] planning a rendez-vous,that went wrong....Ms.Johns' car in particular....and,her lover had to put together a hair brained idea,quickly.

Ms.Johns was just describing her lover who,was also a parent of a young child....hence ''certain'' descriptions.

In most social stratas then,the ''truth'' would have been a local scandal,neither would be able to recover from....hence the ''almost comical'' turn of events.

Speculation,in a general sense,apart....the burned out vehicle was towed to the nearby town of Tracy,and to the actual garage depot of the tow service,Reed & sons....who then held on to the vehicle,at the convenience of the police.

It's always possible that,the Zodiac,being a keen vehicle buff himself,went over there,to ''sniff around'',at a later date,and procured knowledge of the vehicle's blue colour [?].

Richard

8/6/2019 03:42:49 am

If of course any blue remained. According to investigators Kathleen's husband/other half arrived the following day and they went to view the vehicle at Reed and Son Towing Service. This apparently the two people observed by the business owner. Is it possible there was some blue left on the station wagon and Zodiac traveled 80 miles on the off chance he could get a glimpse of it, or is it more likely that he was the abductor. The path of least resistance in this instance is the latter. The problem with the Johns story is its ever changing and metamorphosing account, culminating with the complete over-dramaticization in the Robert Graysmith Zodiac book. A story that keeps evolving is one to be distrusted, more than one that changes. Evolving stories that get more dramatic, are evident in the testimony of Donald Fouke, Donald Cheney, William Crow and James Owen to a lesser extent. When these people see that their involvement in a high profile case becomes more publicized, then their stories evolve accordingly. I have considered the Johns and partner idea of a planned abduction lie, so as to interject themselves into the Zodiac case, but other than a timeline of a pregnant woman with accompanying child, making a 360 mile trip in 7 hours, I can see little else to verify what time she arrived at Bird Road. The Robert Graysmith book stating she left San Bernadhino at 7pm absolutely impossible (360 miles in 4hrs 15 minutes). But a 7pm starting time arriving around 2am with no abduction is certainly possible. However, newspaper reports on the 23rd March say she left at 4pm. Again, wildly different stories that aren't difficult to remember. I have my doubts about this crime, but a Zodiac connection would be preferable because it means more material to work with. Could Zodiac have sniffed around later and discovered some remnants of paint, to then mail her a Halloween card using the colour as verification - yes. But I think we attempt to paint Zodiac too much of a Moriarty style genius, when the evidence points to the contrary. We wouldn't even be having this conversation if police had done their job in Presidio Heights. Forget about the dispatcher cock-up, Pelissetti could have listened to the kids and cut off Zodiac in Jackson using his patrol car, rather than walking half the speed of Zodiac in a vain attempt to locate and catch him up. You dont crawl after a running or walking criminal, you drive down Washington, up Maple and block the suspect's exit route. He had nearly 2 minutes to achieve this, or even to radio in from the crime scene, the direction of the killer shown him by Lindsey, for somebody else to block his exit down Jackson.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/6/2019 04:35:32 am

All interesting stuff....and was not aware that Kathleen's husband visited,the day following.

If the Zodiac did send Kathleen,the Halloween card,then one could say that he was proud of getting the model and colour of her car,correct.

So,that does beg the question....how did he know ? Then one ''possibly'' concludes that he may have been Kathleen's abductor.But,its always possible that these ''small',but important details could have appeared in local papers,without much notice to those,other than the Zodiac.

With Stine's murder,in particular,I have considered that,the Zodiac had a ''chatterbox'' work colleague,always ''rabbitting on'' about local crime,in the work place...and the Zodiac may have picked up on extra details,at times.

With the Johns abduction,the first police officer,on the scene of her car ''swears'' that he saw a set of car keys,on the front seat.But they disappeared,without trace...and the tow boss ''Mr.Reed'' denies having seen them.

Whether that means anything,I'm not sure...but as you mention,there seems to be so much of the whole story that continually changes.

If senior cops,or indeed the FBI ''chose'' to stick with Kathleen's story,for a ''tactical'' reason....then official reportage is ''set in stone'',with no going back.

Richard

8/6/2019 02:04:44 pm

Zodiac was alleged to have pocketed Kathleen Johns keys according to Graysmith - that is two sets of keys Zodiac may have been in possession of. But this begs the question of why Kathleen didn't ask her 'assistor' for her keys back, while he was supposedly friendly and before he became her abductor. I mean, these keys were the access to her vehicle and probably her house and that of her mother's. Mr Reed, as you stated, didn't notice any keys in the vehicle. If her abductor pocketed them, this may explain their absence, but doesn't explain why she didn't ask for them back after the man returned from "snapping off her lights.

In Robert Graysmith's book Zodiac he stated that when the abductor offered Kathleen a lift to the nearest service station "Kathleen gathered up Jennifer and got into the man's car. Just as they were pulling out, she noticed that the lights to her car were still on and remembered that the keys were still in the ignition. The man smiled, went back to her car, snapped off the lights, and pocketed the keys".

Richard

8/6/2019 02:25:33 pm

If Kathleen had received a Halloween card from her abductor, her first course of action should have been to go to the nearest police station with this crucial evidence, not send it to Paul Avery. If she truly received this card, then the only reason for mailing it to Avery at the Chronicle, is if Kathleen Johns had seen the newspaper coverage about the Halloween card threat to Avery, and thought it would be more relevant mailing it to him at the Chronicle with her details.

The “Zodiac Halloween Threat” in the San Francisco Chronicle was published on 31st October 1970 oddly. Nothing like being dramatic. But if Kathleen Johns had read this, and was the reason she mailed her Halloween card to Avery, my guess is it was mailed by her sometime early November. I also would hazard a guess that both Halloween cards were mailed together (if Zodiac) - why waste unnecessary effort. Bearing in mind the significance of this threat, it would appear rather foolhardy not to have at least photographed or photocopied it before it was mailed. Just in case. Then again, we don't know for certain there ever was a second Halloween card, verifying her abduction by mentioning a blue station wagon.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/6/2019 04:47:02 am

...to add,I struggle with Ms.Johns,and her ''up and down'' apparent temperament...hysterics,fainting fits....depending what one believes in the reports.

A ''reminder'' of someone else,on seeing the Zodiac poster,apparently for the first time,having ''danced with a stranger'' [?].

'' It's him ! '' [ Vallejo,Bawart report,1970].

Rubislaw 32 link

8/6/2019 03:48:02 pm

Interesting further thoughts,from you,Richard.

Just on Kathleen's ''abduction'',I had read somewhere that,technically,the abduction was ''assumed'' by Kathleen...and,of course,based on how she had recounted events,to the police.Almost,as if she was making sure that they understood that ''abduction'' had taken place,as she was claiming.

Indeed,the Halloween card to Avery,had arrived 3-4 days prior,and could have easily been published,in the SF Chronicle,on Halloween Eve,for example.

But,slightly cynically perhaps,the editorial decision was made,to put the cards coverage out,on October 31st [Halloween],itself....and broke all records,for a newspaper's sales,in a single day,in San Francisco's history.

In addition,the Chronicle hired extra staff,to man phones and process expected extra mail,in anticipation of a flood of sympathy for Paul Avery,for having received a ''death threat'',in the name of honest journalism.

Yes,the newspaper's expectations,all came true...and Avery and the newspaper,received ''sympathy'' messages from all over the world,as well as the rest of America.

A bit of ''milking'' a situation,from the Chronicle's point of view [?].

Perhaps Kathleen Johns' card became a ''distant consideration'',in the heat of the moment,for Avery and the newspaper.

Roger

8/6/2019 06:12:30 pm

Trying to make sense out of the actions of a crazy man can sometimes be impossible. Crazy people just do crazy things. Still, it would be good to see that card, if it exists.

Rubislaw 32 link

8/7/2019 12:56:56 am

Indeed Roger,and I think that you speak for us all,who take an interest in this particular aspect of the Zodiac case.

If protocol was followed,and on the basis that Ms.Johns did receive the card from the Zodiac....and further elected to pass the card on to Paul Avery...then....

It is ''almost unthinkable'' that Avery would not have taken any other action than to inform his Editor,who would have informed LE.At that point,the FBI would have rightfully requested custody of Ms.Johns' card.

In addition,LE [...the FBI and CA DOJ..] must have requested that the SF Chronicle sweep any coverage of the card's existence,''under the carpet''.

As you,Richard,have asked ''open endedly'',why it was that Kathleen chose to send the card to Avery,as opposed to the police [?].

It does seem to me that,if this was her course of action,then she was attempting to ''sidestep'' the ''law'',in favour of a ''friendlier'' pair of hands,in Avery.

Kathleen would have been fearful of the Zodiac seeking her out....but it does seem to be also the case that,she might have been dreading having to possibly return to the police,for further questioning,regarding her ''apparent'' abduction [?].

She had hoped to put the whole business behind her...it would appear that Johns had something to hide...

The ''whole truth'',for example.

sandy betts link

9/7/2019 08:56:10 am

I can relate to why Kathleen Johns sent the card to Paul Avery. By 1970 , he seemed to be the only one interested in the case. I kept in touch with him myself. When I found that the Zodiac watch had the name Zodiac as well as the logo used by Zodiac, I contacted Paul Avery not the police. I was in touch with Dave Toschi until he was accused of writing Zodiac letters. So it could have been that I found the Zodiac watch connection after Toschi was accused? Robert Graysmith back in the 1990's told me that Paul Avery gave him everything that I sent to Paul. That means perhaps Graysmith ended up with the Halloween card from K Johns? He told me that he had stacks of information on Zodiac where he was living at that time. I had asked him if he could send me the missing pages from Darlene's address book? He told me those pages were too hard to read, because most were in pencil. I personally think that with part of a name and parts of the address and phone numbers I could figure it out. I do believe that her killers name is in that address book. Back to K. Johns. I have seen her interview many times that Howard and his friend put together. I do believe that the ride she was offered was the Zodiac. She and I picked the very same picture from line up given to us by Harvey Hines in the early 1990's. To this day I do not believe that picture was Larry Kane! It is exactly like the man I have as a suspect who I call Honcho. He uses the name Anthony, but not sure if that is a made up name or not? His close buddy is RH. K Johns has given the best description of who I believe is the Zodiac. She guessed his age around 30 , my suspect looked 30 in 1968 so that is close. She said he wore a rubber band to hold his glasses on, so does my suspect. She described the way he spoke and the scars he had on his face, Exact match to the scars Honcho has. If my stalker was not Zodiac, then he was who gave K Johns a ride that night. As far a how long it takes to do that drive from San Bernardino to Modesto, if she drove the speed limit it could take 5 and a half hours. But if you are driving fast , you could do it a far less time, I have done it in less time. From Walnut Creek to Los Angeles I have done it in 5 and a half hrs. It depends on the time of day you leave , more traffic would take a lot longer. There are people on other message boards who say, Zodiac could have read about K Johns and claimed he was her abductor, that he didn't offer any information other that what was in the newspaper. From what I remember reading, there was not mention of her car being blue. The phone calls she received, letting her know he knew she gave birth to another baby girl, tells me he was watching her and having fun trying to scare her. I have had the same experience with my suspect .

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