When the Zodiac murders took place (and particularly before the letters started) the police and community must have had some ideas about who the murderer was? What did people back then think was going on and did the police in the area have anyone, or any group of persons in mind? It wasn’t that big of a town and there must have been a lot of local conversation, plus a limited subset of people whose backgrounds suggested involvement. Reading about this case can be frustrating because so much is written from the perspective of working backwards from a particular suspect. But it is just murders and any solution has to start from contemporary evidence. Who knows how much of the letters is either lies, deception, or misdirection.
Others here know more about this….my understanding of it, growing up, was that the BRS phone call, the Berryessa crime and call, the Carman Ghia door…all happened quickly and the letters were already on their way, the thing was born. Yes there were suspects there were many, they checked out with alibis, didn’t fit descriptions, it’s part if the luck and lore of the case….. in the case of Allen, one of the more celebrated POI, just getting enough to show cause and get a warrant was a big deal.
One of the theories about Lake Herman was that David Faraday was aware of a large drug deal and had spoken of the culprits to others and was killed for that reason.
The theory apparently did not lead anywhere but it is still interesting given that drugs were also one of the hypotheses considering Darlene’s murder.
One of the theories about Lake Herman was that David Faraday was aware of a large drug deal and had spoken of the culprits to others and was killed for that reason.
The theory apparently did not lead anywhere but it is still interesting given that drugs were also one of the hypotheses considering Darlene’s murder.
Not to mention there was a drug "bust" happening at Lake Herman at almost the same time. Or, at least the time a couple of the cops were leaving.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
The problem I’ve always had with Faraday/Jensen being a targeted murder is all the traffic on and around LHR that night. If someone had been following them, planning the hit, where would they have been hiding their car so as not to be seen by the hunters and other passers by? I don’t think someone was out to kill David and suddenly came upon him on LHR randomly; the odds against that are pretty large.
I also think that if the real purpose was to kill Faraday and Jensen, it would’ve been stupid to commit other murders and tie them all together. By the time of BRS, the LHR case was already pretty cold. No witnesses, no motive. The killer had gotten away with it. He had a successful done deal at that point. He showed by his later actions the purpose for the LHR murders was to call attention to himself, not necessarily to kill specific people.
The only scenario that makes sense to me is that Zodiac was driving around, looking for a victim or victims, saw David and Betty Lou in their car, pulled alongside them, then ducked out of sight (as did David & Betty Lou) when James Owens drove by. Then he got out, shot them, and drove away. He probably had no idea how small is window of opportunity had actually been.
The question of windows is interesting. How accurate is the depiction of the Blue Rock Springs shooting in terms of a car coming in to the parking lot behind Ferrin’s car, leaving, then coming back? If accurate do you think he was checking to see if there was any traffic into the area or that it might indicate he backed out and then worked up the courage to come back. The Faraday/Jensen attack must have been very fast. If Jensen’s body was within 30 feet of the car you’re talking about only seconds after they left the car. For all the talk about his flashlight attached to the gun at that distance would it even have contributed at all to his accuracy?
The problem I’ve always had with Faraday/Jensen being a targeted murder is all the traffic on and around LHR that night. If someone had been following them, planning the hit, where would they have been hiding their car so as not to be seen by the hunters and other passers by? I don’t think someone was out to kill David and suddenly came upon him on LHR randomly; the odds against that are pretty large.
I also think that if the real purpose was to kill Faraday and Jensen, it would’ve been stupid to commit other murders and tie them all together. By the time of BRS, the LHR case was already pretty cold. No witnesses, no motive. The killer had gotten away with it. He had a successful done deal at that point. He showed by his later actions the purpose for the LHR murders was to call attention to himself, not necessarily to kill specific people.
The only scenario that makes sense to me is that Zodiac was driving around, looking for a victim or victims, saw David and Betty Lou in their car, pulled alongside them, then ducked out of sight (as did David & Betty Lou) when James Owens drove by. Then he got out, shot them, and drove away. He probably had no idea how small is window of opportunity had actually been.
The Faraday/Jensen attack must have been very fast. If Jensen’s body was within 30 feet of the car you’re talking about only seconds after they left the car.
I don’t think they ran from the car. I think that because Faraday was holding his class ring, that’s a sign they thought they were being robbed. Zodiac might have done the same as the LB attack, pretending he was robbing them.
I’m guessing he had them out of the car. Faraday was killed with one shot to the head. He dropped and Jensen ran, might have taken a hit before she ran.
For all the talk about his flashlight attached to the gun at that distance would it even have contributed at all to his accuracy?
The police report notes the accuracy of the shot pattern on Jensen. He was aiming center mass, not hard to make those shots when you’re that close if you have experience with firearms.
The question of windows is interesting. How accurate is the depiction of the Blue Rock Springs shooting in terms of a car coming in to the parking lot behind Ferrin’s car, leaving, then coming back? If accurate do you think he was checking to see if there was any traffic into the area or that it might indicate he backed out and then worked up the courage to come back.
Very accurate. It’s also quite possible he went to get his gun.
If Z knew any victim, it was likely Darlene Ferrin.
The question of windows is interesting. How accurate is the depiction of the Blue Rock Springs shooting in terms of a car coming in to the parking lot behind Ferrin’s car, leaving, then coming back? If accurate do you think he was checking to see if there was any traffic into the area or that it might indicate he backed out and then worked up the courage to come back.
Very accurate. It’s also quite possible he went to get his gun.
If Z knew any victim, it was likely Darlene Ferrin.
It’s hard for me to believe Zodiac would have left the scene to get a weapon. He was a very detail-oriented and planned his crimes with great care. Leaving to get a gun would introduce too much chaos and uncertainty for an organised criminal. He must’ve had a weapon with him the entire time. I’m more of the opinion that he chickened out at first only to return in full fury.
The question of windows is interesting. How accurate is the depiction of the Blue Rock Springs shooting in terms of a car coming in to the parking lot behind Ferrin’s car, leaving, then coming back? If accurate do you think he was checking to see if there was any traffic into the area or that it might indicate he backed out and then worked up the courage to come back.
Very accurate. It’s also quite possible he went to get his gun.
If Z knew any victim, it was likely Darlene Ferrin.
It’s hard for me to believe Zodiac would have left the scene to get a weapon. He was a very detail-oriented and planned his crimes with great care. Leaving to get a gun would introduce too much chaos and uncertainty for an organised criminal. He must’ve had a weapon with him the entire time. I’m more of the opinion that he chickened out at first only to return in full fury.
I always thought he left to check the road ahead. Maybe look for any oncoming headlights in a particular direction. I too think he would have had his weapon.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
It’s hard for me to believe Zodiac would have left the scene to get a weapon. He was a very detail-oriented and planned his crimes with great care. Leaving to get a gun would introduce too much chaos and uncertainty for an organised criminal. He must’ve had a weapon with him the entire time. I’m more of the opinion that he chickened out at first only to return in full fury.
I always thought he left to check the road ahead. Maybe look for any oncoming headlights in a particular direction. I too think he would have had his weapon.
I like Sandy’s theory that he left to get the gun out of his trunk. Makes sense, he wouldn’t have wanted to drive around with it in the front seat in case was stopped.
