Zodiac Killer Research Paper

The Zodiac Killer The Zodiac Killer was one the most dominant serial killers of the 20th century. Starting his career in 1966, the Zodiac Killer killed an innocent teenage girl on her way home from college. A surplus of letters were shortly received from the mysterious “Zodiac Killer”, claiming that “she needed to die” (Newton 321). Following, were the murders of three teenage couples and a cab driver. (322). After each murder was committed, letters were recieved that provided details on the recent crime or mocked the police. The Zodiac Killer was known for sending various coded messages that taunted the police, or alarmed the people of California. (“The Zodiac Killer” Crime) However, even with the several letters and fingerprints left behind,

Thus proving, the Zodiac Killer was repsonsible for the two murders. In the third attack, the killer took the lives of victims Cecelia Shepard and Bryan Hartnell. The couple was at a picnic in December of 1968, where they were repeatdly stabbed several times. In a telephone booth, a phone call was reported to identify the hurt victims, however they had already been reported to the police when the call was made. The telephone booth where the call originated from was specifically located and fingerprints were found, however, the fingerprints did not match up with any suspects (Newton 323). In the case of Shepard and Hartnell, officials believe the Zodiac Killer was the man involved. However, because a telephone call was received and not a hand written letter, not enough evidence has been found to prove the Zodiac Killer responsible. The next set of victims, Michael Mageau and Darlene Ferrin, were driving around on the night of July 4, 1969. A vehicle, which had been following the couple, pulled up behind them and flashed a bright light which blinded Mageau and Ferrin. Then, in a very fast manner, the killer shot Mageau four times and Ferrin nine times (“Zodiac Killer). Shortly after the shooting, a unknown