Morf if you look at QT’s recent post he makes an excellent statistical argument that the ++ is most likely LL.

In the 408 code an E=E and a backwards R=R, so that may provide a reason to at least try S=S.

Also in the 408 code 9=E.

This is the fourth line of the unsolved 340 and beneath it is the fourth line of the proposed solution.

Now Graysmith converts the area you are questioning into an anagram for BELOW with the next line KILLERS FILM, while I have wondered if it could be an anagram for BELLOW, as in the Mikado song "There is beauty in the BELLOW of THE BLAST", as THE BLAST also appears nearby in my translation.

I admit that neither proposed solve is totally satisfying, as both rely on anagrams, mild anagrams, but still anagrams and thus problematic.

I will think more if there is a potential word solve that works better with no anagrams.

SEEANAMEB _ E _ LL _ _ _

Here are some matches, each list shown from most common to least common.

L_EE

GOALKEEPER ALBEE BLUEEYED COUNSELLEE APPELLEE GOALKEEPERS COLLEEN COUNSELLEES WELLHEELED ILLFEELING CHALDEE HELPEE OILSEED IBANTILDEEZ LILLEE KILKEEL GOALKEEPING HOTELKEEPER ENROLLEES ALLSEEING ORDOACUTENTILDEEZ APPELLEES FERRARIIBANTILDEEZ MALLEE ENROLLEE VALLEE SUNTILDEER SPECIALNEEDS KILLEEN CONSULTEES TELLEE OILSEEDS NUACUTENTILDEEZ MOLSEED FANTILDEEZ CONSULTEE ALLEE ORDONTILDEEZ LEEE INTILDEES BELLEEK GOALSEEKING

E_LL

REALLY IDEALLY THEYLL SURVEILLANCE ONEILL NEILL MARSEILLE REILLY MARSEILLES REALLIFE OREILLY MCNEILL REALLOCATION WEILL WELLLOVED MEALL WELLLIT CHEALL OREILLE BEALL RANTEALLO REVEILLE REALLOCATE MARSEILLAISE MACNEILL KENEALLY BELLLIKE WELLLIKED TEALLACH REALLOCATED CONSEILLER BAREILLY VIEILLE ONEALL CUREALL SHELLLIKE INTRAPERITONEALLY WEELL LETHIEULLIER CELLLIKE ONEILLISM NEACUTEILL GENTEELLY EELLS MIREILLE MEILLEUR REALLER ONEILLS ETHEREALLY EELLIKE BOUTEILLE WELLLAID LEVEILLE CORNEILLE

Good stuff guys thanks

Looks like you solved it, Bill O’Reilly was the Zodiac killer.
Just because you guys don’t like anagramming, doesn’t mean the Zodiac didn’t use it, mildly.

Looks like you solved it, Bill O’Reilly was the Zodiac killer.
Just because you guys don’t like anagramming, doesn’t mean the Zodiac didn’t use it, mildly.

I agree. I think it is very possible that Zodiac did use some mild anagrams in the 340, to increase difficulty of solution and make any names found likely inadmissible in court. The problem with anagrams is the number of possible solutions, as shown by doranchak and glurk, which it makes hard to have strong confidence in any one particular anagram solution.

But of doranchak’s non-anagram possibilities above, I like REALLY and THEYLL.

Looks like you solved it, Bill O’Reilly was the Zodiac killer.
Just because you guys don’t like anagramming, doesn’t mean the Zodiac didn’t use it, mildly.

I agree. I think it is very possible that Zodiac did use some mild anagrams in the 340, to increase difficulty of solution and make any names found likely inadmissible in court. The problem with anagrams is the number of possible solutions, as shown by doranchak and glurk, which it makes hard to have strong confidence in any one particular anagram solution.

But of doranchak’s non-anagram possibilities above, I like REALLY and THEYLL.

I agree on the words REALLY & THEYLL. Also, I like the anagram angle, and the names that fit are easier when you know the name ahead of time, like one of my favorite couple suspects whose name almost appears anagrammed in the symbols

I would think that if Z is/were the cipher genius many promote, he’d be adept at constructing a cipher (or ciphers) designed to frustrate investigators. For example, portions that were translateable, interspersed with gibberish. This is the kind of nonsense that would amuse Z no end.

I agree, he aimed to mess with people’s minds.