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1960s.1970s: The true story of the Zodiac Killer
Zodiac
What you need to know before your trail
“This is the Zodiac speaking. I like killing people because it is so much fun…the most thrilling experience…” This shocking true crime classic is now a major movie. A sexual sadist, the Zodiac’s pleasure was torture and murder. He taunted the authorities with mocking notes telling where he would strike next. The official tally of his victims was six. He claimed 37 dead. He was never caught. Author Robert Graysmith tells the inside story of the hunt for the hooded killer, and finally reveals his possible true identity. The new movie “Zodiac” is based on this book.
Travel Guide
The Zodiac Murders
San Francisco 1960s – 1970s
Lake Herman Road attack
The first murders widely attributed to the Zodiac Killer were the shootings of high school students Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday on December 20, 1968, on Lake Herman Road
Blue Rock Springs attack
Just before midnight on July 4, 1969, Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau drove into the Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo, four miles from the Lake Herman Road murder site. They parked up and were soon accompanied by another car which them promptly left.
Lake Berryessa attack
On September 27, 1969, Pacific Union College students Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard were picnicking at Lake Berryessa when the masked Zodiac attacked. She died two days later but Bryan survived and provided a description of the killer
Presidio Heights attack
Students look out their window on Cherry/Washington and see a taxi driver being shot and the man escaping along a nearby road
Modesto attack
He tries to capture a woman driving her car with her baby inside
Riverside Community College
The killing of a student has been attributed to the Zodiac
During the time of the killings, many taunting letters apparently from the Zodiac himself were sent to the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle.Each letter also included one-third of a 408-symbol cryptogram which the killer claimed contained his identity. The killer demanded they be printed on each paper’s front page or he would kill again.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Zodiac
Destination : San Francisco Author/Guide: Robert Graysmith Departure Time: 1960s, 1970s
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