Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, a serial killer was on the streets of Northern California. He generally attacked couples found on “lovers lanes” and was known for his regular contact with police immediately following or in between his crimes. The Zodiac Killer and the seven confirmed attacks attributed to the name make up the most notorious unsolved crimes of the 20th century. Numerous police departments in Northern California investigated the crimes and nearly 2,000 suspects were considered during this time. The Zodiac Killer claimed to have committed 37 murders in his communication with the press, while only seven victims have been confirmed with police. Within the seven confirmed victims, only two survived the attacks. The attacks all …show more content…
It involved two victims, and took place almost 50 miles north from those crime scenes. Of the two victims in the third attack, Bryan Hartnell survived. The last confirmed murder took place nearly 50 miles southwest from the first two attacks. It occurred on October 14th, 1969 and was the only confirmed incident involving one victim. An article from the Victoria Advocate said “The other killings were in remote areas and no money was taken,” Toschi observed. “This last one was a sloppy holdup. He had to have gotten blood on his hands and clothing. Maybe he got a total of $20.” (San Francisco's "Jack the Ripper") The last confirmed attack happened on March 22nd, 1970. A young woman named Kathleen Johns was 22 was traveling on Highway 132 with her young daughter at night. A car began to flash their lights behind her and she pulled over. The man came to her window and said it appeared her back tire needed work. After he finished Kathleen attempted to exit back onto the highway and her tire immediately fell off. The man offered her and her daughter a ride into town, and proceeded to drive aimlessly for nearly an hour. Kathleen grabbed her daughter and jumped when the vehicle slowed down, and hid in the fields until he left. Although Johns was not harmed, it was later confirmed the Zodiac Killer was the man who stopped to “help”