I believe Zodiac’s first victim was Cheri Jo Bates, and it was a result of her having given him "brushoffs in the years past." The resultant notoriety and publicity stoked his narcissistic ego, and encouraged him to go serial. I don’t think hared of young women or couples romancing had anything to do with it.

I agree. I haven’t studied this case long, but I’m hooked. The whole thing just strikes me as so bizarre. Not much seems to make sense to me. I guess that’s what has kept this case unsolved for so long. Different MO’s and different methods used, not to mention various tones in letters identified as Zodiac. I don’t support the multiple suspect theories because it’s very difficult to have 2 or more people keep a secret. I had a law teacher who used to ask us how something smelled before we researched anything about the problem presented. I’d like to take the time to remember him by saying this whole thing smells, for lack of a better phrase, off. The thing about CJB that doesn’t seem right to me is her neck being cut so deep. Did Zodiac do this to any other of the known victims? Maybe this one was personal and rage consumed him….but I just don’t know.

Aubie: here’s a saying you’ll appreciate, although I don’e know who originated it: "Two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead." As far as the brutality inflicted on CJB? I’m inclined to believe it was personal. Remember THE CONFESSION? "…Only one thing was on my mind. Making her pay for the brushoffs that she had given me during the years prior."

Two of the minor suspects, Ted Kaczynski and Richard Gaikowski, have activist profiles. It is difficult to avoid discussion of activism when considering any events set in the Bay area in the late 60s and early 70s. The question is, what would have been the goal, and how would it have been related to the method in the killer’s mind?

I doubt if it means anything, but I’m reading about the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. There was a huge public outcry over offshore drilling and towards the oil industry itself from 1966-1968ish in the Santa Barbara area. What company started the first offshore oil rig in Federal waters (1965 Supreme Court ruling)? Phillips. Sept 1, 1967 Plateform Hogan (the first offshore rig as mentioned) was up and operational. Then, on June 7, 1968 2,000 gallons of oiled spilled into the sea from Phillips’ Plateform Hogan, after all local residents were assured offshore drilling was safe. January 28, 1969 Union Oils’ Plateform A had major issues on the 5th well they intended to drill, this resulted in a spill of 210,000 gallons off oil. The coast of Santa Barbara ended up buried in crude oil due to an incoming storm and flood. Couple this with public outcry over toxins found in local streams and rivers in the early to mid 1960s. These toxins were a result of pesticides used mainly by golf courses at the time. All of this to me creates a really interesting time. I’m not sure what any of this means, it just creates an interesting dynamic.

Does anyone know what the parents of the known victims did for a living?

Joseph Bates worked as a machinist at the Corona Naval Ordnance Laboratory.
David Faraday’s father, Thomas Faraday, was an employee of Pacific Gas & Electric Co in Vallejo. Miss Jensen was the daughter of Vincent M Johnson of Vallejo, a programmer for the U.S. General Service Administration.
Michael Mageau was employed by his father at his Doyen Pest Control Service.
Darlene Ferrin’s father, Leo Suennen was a machinist.
Cecelia Shepard’s father taught maths and physics at the Seventh-Day Adventist Academy in Loma Linda.
Bryan Hartnell’s father was a Seventh-Day Adventist clergyman.
These are some.

I believe Zodiac’s first victim was Cheri Jo Bates,

I believe Domingos and Edwards were his first victims.