Wow Mike, that’s really interesting.

I had some contact with SD PD and they have a suspect in the case, somebody that knew Johnny. I can ask if they know more about the watch, etc

Great to see you posting ZR! Thanks for the link…something to think about for sure.

Thanks Tahoe27. Hopefully I can be active for a while this time around.

I had some contact with SD PD and they have a suspect in the case, somebody that knew Johnny. I can ask if they know more about the watch, etc

Well, that’s disheartening… The details of this crime are not consistent with a perpetrator who is known to his victim(s).

SDPD at the time of the crime had a very different opinion. In fact, I was impressed by SDPD’s ability to see the crime for what it likely was. They labeled the perpetrator a "psychopathic killer" and a "sweetheart slayer" – the latter label being used in conjunction with the Gaviota murders. When ballistics between the two crimes came back as a non-match, it was unfortunate but not surprising. From the very beginning, I’m fairly sure the killer made it a point to vary his weapon. In Southern California it was to avoid detection; in San Francisco it was to create ambiguity. Then Santa Barbara got sidetracked/confused by the whole "Sandy" red herring… Nonetheless, there were clearly people in law enforcement who had a good sense of what was going on, at least initially.

I emailed my contact in San Diego today. I did not hear back, and I have no idea if they are even still with San Diego or if they are handling the case, it’s literally been 4 years since I exchanged emails.

Here are a couple responses regarding Swindle case:

"Without revealing information I am unable to do so at this time, there was a person of interest identified in the Swindle case, that was not Owen" )I had talked to her about the case, and my Suspect James Owen, who turned over the same make/model gun to police after the LHR attack, as was used to kill the Swindles.

" I am unable to share much information with you regarding our suspect in the Swindle case. I will look into the ballistics information you have sent however in an attempt to double check our information here"

Maybe I was wrong about the Suspect possibly knowing Swindle, but for some reason, I seemed to remember that

Interesting info. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what kind of response you get…

I can see Seagull found the same news report info but I’ll post anyway, and the 1965 address in Glendale CA might be new info:

Concerning the suspect : Rene Leon Trudeau

I found this 1965 address on a Rene Trudeau in Glendale Ca (can not be 100% sure it is the correct person):

California Glendale 1965 Glendale, California, City Directory, 1965

Trudeau, Rene 200 1/2 e Chestnut

Also found this:
Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California) 1964 February 10

Quote:
An 18 year old transient was held by police today for questioning in connection with the "thrill" slaying of a young honeymooning couple.

Quote:
Detective said Rene Leon Trudeau, described as a part time janitor at a downtown bus depot was booked in city jail on suspicuon of murder Sunday

Quote:
Trudeau was arrested after police were notified by a priest from St. Patric’s church that he might be dangerous.
The priest said T came to him Saturday and said he had hurt some people and wanted help. He said the youth left before they had a chance to talk.

In a identical news report, this was added at the end of the news report:

Eureka Humboldt Standard (Eureka, California) 1964 February 12

Quote:

"Police Ll. Robert Lafoon quoted the youth as saying
"I have the urge to hurt someone, anyone. I could hurt you if I had the chance,
anyway I could. That’s why I saw a priest. I guess I need help.""

I can see Seagull found the same news report info but I’ll post anyway, and the 1965 address in Glendale CA might be new info:

Concerning the suspect : Rene Leon Trudeau

I found this 1965 address on a Rene Trudeau in Glendale Ca (can not be 100% sure it is the correct person):

California Glendale 1965 Glendale, California, City Directory, 1965

Trudeau, Rene 200 1/2 e Chestnut

Also found this:
Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California) 1964 February 10

Quote:
An 18 year old transient was held by police today for questioning in connection with the "thrill" slaying of a young honeymooning couple.

Quote:
Detective said Rene Leon Trudeau, described as a part time janitor at a downtown bus depot was booked in city jail on suspicuon of murder Sunday

Quote:
Trudeau was arrested after police were notified by a priest from St. Patric’s church that he might be dangerous.
The priest said T came to him Saturday and said he had hurt some people and wanted help. He said the youth left before they had a chance to talk.

In a identical news report, this was added at the end of the news report:

Eureka Humboldt Standard (Eureka, California) 1964 February 12

Quote:

"Police Ll. Robert Lafoon quoted the youth as saying
"I have the urge to hurt someone, anyone. I could hurt you if I had the chance,
anyway I could. That’s why I saw a priest. I guess I need help.""

It would be interesting to find out if he was from Glendale, because my favorite suspect Ross Sullivan was also from Glendale. I wonder if they knew each other. Maybe he asked Ross to hold the watch that he took from the victim?? I know it’s all a big stretch, but interesting still.

Just read this thread. Wow. So with that recently posted true crime mag article in mind ….. what ship was Swindle on? And did it ever go to England while he was on it? Was the Swindle watch bought at an overseas military station?

And has the investigating department ever consulted with Riverside about the watch at the Bates murder scene?

Hey Morf13, my suspect, or someone with the same name, actually lived inside this photo at one time. what are the chances of that?

so yes The Swindle murders I believe are early Z murders too.

(I’m debating letting you, and some other well respected forum members in on my theory etc, but not exactly sure how to go about it.
I think I’m sending one more round of info to LE)

I just came across this case as a possible Zodiac killing. The connection with the watch seems eerie.

One of the newspaper articles mention that the killer took Johnny’s wallet with his driver’s license and navy ID inside. What type of cards were the navy IDs at this time? Did they have a photo? Just thinking that if this was a Zodiac crime and he did not have any actual connection to navy, he perhaps could have later used Johnny’s card to make purchases like ammo or boots at a navy base.

good points Joku, never thought of that.

The time lapse between SBLompoc(June 6, 1963) and San Diego(Feb 5, 1964), and LHR(Dec 20, 1968) and BRS(July 4, 1969) are similar. .22 caliber used in 3 of the 4 murders.

The time lapse between SBLompoc(June 6, 1963) and San Diego(Feb 5, 1964), and LHR(Dec 20, 1968) and BRS(July 4, 1969) are similar. .22 caliber used in 3 of the 4 murders.

Not sure if the time lapse means much (possibly), but I believe these may be Z. They are all similar
(couples) but each has an individual mark.

I just came across this case as a possible Zodiac killing. The connection with the watch seems eerie.

One of the newspaper articles mention that the killer took Johnny’s wallet with his driver’s license and navy ID inside. What type of cards were the navy IDs at this time? Did they have a photo? Just thinking that if this was a Zodiac crime and he did not have any actual connection to navy, he perhaps could have later used Johnny’s card to make purchases like ammo or boots at a navy base.

ID WAS NOT NEEDED TO BUY AMMO OR GUNS IN 196OS. Only in our cowardly modern times is an ID needed to buy guns from the GUN SHOP. No id IS needed to buy a guns from a private party. Thank God this is so.

Not for nothing but it those people were armed with handguns they could’ve shot zodiac dead. It’s very hard to have sympathy for hippies and liberals just because of their inherent nature of being so sissified. And it’s very important to remember that most of these guys went to college to dodge the draft.