Have these investigators finally cracked the Zodiac Killer’s ciphers?
If there’s a topic that has stunned the minds of people for generations, it’s famous serial killers. It’s given rise to fantastic debates that may never end in society. Perhaps, you’ve pondered on the serial killers clearly responsible for much hardship and hurt, but are very unknown in society. Surely, there are serial killers lurking around out there who no one (not even law enforcement and investigators) know about.
To think there’s stories living in books and on the internet of people unknowingly living next door to some of society’s worst characters for years. We could talk about the unknown killers but what about the ones who decide to leave behind their mark. Most people want to be known for such things as artists and space travelers, but what if some folks want to be known as killers?
The Zodiac Killer terrified people for a very long time. It wasn’t just what he was doing but sort of how he was doing it that took him to the history books. The Zodiac Killer was not only known for escaping authorities but always leaving behind ciphers, seemingly teasingly teasing law enforcement. They wouldn’t be the only killer to do this but for years, investigators have been looking assiduously into the ciphers.
The language leading investigators to the killer is there but if no one knows what they mean, they’re no help. After all these years, however, have they finally cracked the Zodiac Killer’s ciphers?
Background
It’s been the inspiration for several horror stories. Americans have been interested in the Zodiac Killer for over half a century now, especially with all the mystery behind who the killer is and the brash, arrogant way he threatened the public. Terrifying San Francisco, they were one of the most notorious and elusive criminals of all time.
Amongst the little information obtained of the killer, he was active in Northern California through the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. He gave himself the title, Zodiac in his mysterious letters that he sent to the press during his murder spree. The letters usually began with the words, “This is the Zodiac speaking,” and housed various cryptograms and sneers alluding to his intentions.
Most of those cryptograms remain unsolved today. In addition to the strenuous ciphers, the Zodiac Killer has taken responsibility for no less than thirty seven murders. Though, investigators only agree on seven confirmed killings. Some people speculate a few more recent murders could be the work of the Zodiac Killer.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see him alive since we know for sure he operated as far back as the 1960s. Other people are sure that the mystery of the Zodiac Killer was merely a well-composed hoax (they should probably talk to families of the victims).
The killings
Back in the ‘60s, the Zodiac Killer’s weapon of choice was a simple handgun. His first victims were David Faraday and Betty Jensen, using a 0.22 semi-automatic pistol. David and Betty were a high school couple on their first date, planning to go to a Christmas concert a few blocks away from Betty’s house. Most killers seem to have a type which helps investigators track them down. But the Zodiac Killer did not.
He was known for stabbing his victims repeatedly. Upon the end of one letter, Zodiac Killer suggested he was going to shoot out a tire of a school bus, and “pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out.” “I like killing people because it’s fun,” read one of his letters to the Bay Area Press.
Ciphers
People have been awaiting the news that investigators have finally decoded the Zodiac Killer’s ciphers, but have they? Over the course of these more than fifty years, there have been numerous theories and stories telling who the killer is. But of course, none of them have stuck. The closest time the Zodiac Killer has been identified, came from a police sketch depicting a clean shaven, short-haired Cacuasion man wearing white glasses.
There was a “340 cipher” sent to the newspaper in 1969. It was recently solved by a team of codebreakers from the U.S., Australia, and Belgium and has been substantiated by the FBI.
The cipher message reads, “I hope you have lots of fun in trying to catch me.” The killer added, “I am not afraid of the gas chamber because it will send me to paradise all the sooner because I have enough slaves to work for me.” Unfortunately, this does not unveil any obvious clues about the still unidentified monster. According to the FBI, the Zodiac Killer investigation remains ongoing.
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The Zodiac Killer’s ciphers are more than chilling. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
