Why Is He Called “The Zodiac Killer”? 

The Zodiac Killer Remains A Mystery 

It’s been a little over 50 years since the beginning of what came to be known as the Zodiac Killer murders, yet so much about the case remains a mystery. The Northern California populace was haunted by this killer who delighted in taunting the public and police forces alike with his letters. Will the final mysteries of the Zodiac Killer case ever be solved? 

Why Is He Called The Zodiac Killer? 

One of the many questions one might ask about this case is why the Zodiac Killer is called as such. The Zodiac actually gave himself this particular nickname. The Zodiac became known for sending several letters to various places over the period of time he spent hunting for victims in Northern California. It wasn’t until after the first few letters, though, that he named himself “The Zodiac.”  

The late 1960’s, the Debut of “Zodiac” Letter was sent to the San Francisco Examiner. He opens his letter with “This is the Zodiac speaking” – a line that would become his opener in nearly every letter he sent after this. 

Why call himself “the Zodiac,” though? Why didn’t he call himself “the Zodiac” in his first few letters? What made him decide to give himself this moniker? There are many possible theories about why the Zodiac chose this particular name for himself, but the truth is that we may never know the whole truth.  

Learn More About The Facts Of The Zodiac Killer Case With Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts 

While some things about The Zodiac Killer case remain shrouded in mystery, there are some hard facts you can study about this case. If you’re interested in learning more about these facts, read Tom Voigt’s Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts. This straightforward book makes it easy to find the information you’re looking for among the chronological collection of police reports, Zodiac letters, and Zodiac ciphers. Just use the easily searchable index to find you information that interests you the most. 

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today. 

CHERI BATES “HAD TO DIE” AUTHOR IDENTIFIED — NOT ZODIAC

The April 30th Cheri Bates “Had to Die” Zodiac Killer letters have been removed as written by any Zodiac Killer suspect. The true author came forward and acknowledged they were forged in order to keep the investigation going.

Below is an update that was posted on our Zodiac Killer TapaTalk forum

On October 31, 1966, 0545 hours, Joseph Bates called Riverside Police to report his daughter Cheri Jo Bates missing. She left a note for her father stating she was going to the RCC library. On October 31, 1966, 0632 hours, a civilian reported that he found a body in the alleyway of Terracina near Fairfax on the RCC college campus. Officers responded and determined the death to be a homicide. The female was identified as, 18 year old, Cheri Jo Bates.

In 1967, Riverside Police Department received a hand written letter in the mail. This letter initially led investigators to believe the murder of Cheri Jo Bates may be associated with the murderer known as the “Zodiac Killer.” The letter and the interpretation of the signature on the letter generated much attention to the investigation and fueled many theories and much speculation regarding the case. In addition, sensitive information was released to the media which added to the curiosity and conjecture.

In April 2016, investigators received an anonymous letter postmarked from San Bernardino, California. This letter was typed and appeared to have been generated from a computer. The author of the anonymous letter admitted to writing the hand written letters. The author apologized for sending the letters and said it was a sick joke. The author admitted that he was not the Zodiac killer or the killer of Cheri Jo Bates and was just looking for attention.

In 2020, the Homicide Cold Case Unit and the FBI Los Angeles Investigative Genealogy Team, submitted the stamp from the letter for additional DNA analysis and subsequent interviews were conducted. The individual linked to the DNA evidence on the stamp admitted to writing the letter and sending it to Riverside Police Department. The author was a young teenager at the time and had a troubled youth. He said he wrote the letter seeking attention and was remorseful for his actions.

Investigators confirmed, the person was not involved in the murder of Cheri Jo Bates or involved in the murders associated with the “Zodiac Killer.” Additional information was developed regarding a separate set of letters sent to Northern California police agencies. The author claimed to be the “Zodiac Killer,” but the author ultimately admitted to sending the letters to keep the investigation going.

Early in the investigation, a potential suspect was identified in the killing of Cheri Jo Bates. Based on the evidence, this person of interest has remained the primary suspect over the years and continues to be the focus of the investigation. It is believed, acquaintances of the suspect have additional information which could potentially lead to the successful prosecution of the suspect. The FBI Los Angeles Investigative Genealogy Team and various additional law enforcement agencies continue to work the “Zodiac Killer’ murders. Information regarding the “Zodiac Killer” can be emailed to https://tips.fbi.gov

Based on the developments in the case, Riverside Police Department will not be directly involved in the “Zodiac Killer” investigation and will focus its attention on who killed Cheri Jo. Riverside Police Department investigators will continue to cooperate with the handling agencies as needed.

In 2021, Riverside Police Homicide Cold Case Investigators were contacted by a private citizen wishing to offer a $50,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and the conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Cheri Jo Bates. The private party has requested to remain anonymous to the public. The reward offer is valid until January 31, 2022.

Anyone with information specifically about the Cheri Jo Bates murder can contact investigators at the following dedicated email: cjb@riversideca.gov

Zodiac Cipher Solutions Could Still Be Possible

The Zodiac Killer Case Has Gone Cold 

Just over 5 decades ago, the serial killer who called himself “The Zodiac” haunted the Northern California area. Only 7 victims were confirmed to have had the unfortunate fate of meeting the Zodiac, but in his taunting letters to the Northern California police and public, he claims to have killed as many as 37 people. Now, this famous serial killer case has gone cold, but those who have studied the case for decades hope there might be a solution. 

What’s The Z13 Cipher? Why Is It So Important?

 

The Z13 cipher is one of the final two unsolved Zodiac ciphers. So named for its length – 13 characters – the cipher appears in one of the Zodiac’s letters, proceeded by the words “My name is-”. If the Zodiac’s words are to be believed, this could be the cipher that reveals his identity. 

Attempted Solutions Have Failed So Far 

Of course, many police officers, cipher specialists, and even concerned citizens have attempted to crack the Z13 cipher. Most recently, Fayçal Ziraoui, a french business consultant, has put forth his own attempts to solve both the Z13 cipher along with the Z32 cipher. Although Ziraoui remains convinced that he has found the answers, his solutions remain unconfirmed by the authorities. Our own Tom Voigt has said that Ziraoui, who has only spent “a little bit of time” researching the ciphers that many have studied for decades, appears to only have found his answers through the use of “smoke and mirrors.” 

Could the Z13 cipher ever be solved? Will it really contain the Zodiac’s identity? It seems only time will tell, but doubtless, there are those who will still dedicate their time to studying this famous serial killer case.

 

Study The Facts With Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts 

Want to look past all the smoke and mirrors and get to just the facts? Then read Tom Voigt’s Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts. In Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, you’ll find a straightforward chronological collection of police reports, Zodiac letters, and Zodiac ciphers. The searchable index allows you to pinpoint the information you’re interested in the most and find it quickly. Get your copy today! 

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today. 

Are The Final Zodiac Ciphers Solvable?

The Zodiac Taunted The Norther California Area For Years 

The Zodiac killings, which took place in Northern California in the 1960s and 1970s, were horrific and brutal. The Zodiac frequently taunted the police and the public alike in his letters, making threats and only hinting at his identity. It’s little wonder that his taunting words echo all these years later, leaving the world wondering if this 52-year-old cold case will ever be solved. 

Does The Solution Lie In The Final Two Zodiac Ciphers? 

Two of the Zodiac’s four ciphers remain unsolved. One cipher in particular, Z13, potentially contains the identity of the Zodiac himself. Many who have followed the Zodiac Killer case over the past several decades have held onto the hope that one day the Z13 cipher could be cracked, thus solving this famous serial killer case. 

Ziraoui’s Z13 Cipher Solution 

Recently, one particular attempt to crack the final two Zodiac ciphers has gained attention. Ziraoui, a french business consultant, claims to have solved both the Z32 cipher and the Z13 cipher. However, his solutions have been met with doubt by those who have spent decades studying the Zodiac Killer case. 

Can The Final Two Ciphers Be Cracked? 

One of the major issues with attempting to solve the Z32 and Z13 ciphers is their length. Such short ciphers leave little room for repetition, which makes cracking the code all that more difficult. Because they are so short, countless possible solutions exist, but it is near impossible to prove that those solutions are correct. 

Our own Tom Voigt has expressed his doubts about Ziraoui’s supposed solutions to the final two Zodiac ciphers. “This poor guy is such an egomaniac that he thinks he’s going to spend a little bit of time and solve a 52-year-old case using smoke and mirrors.”  

Want To Take A Look At The Ciphers Yourself? 

The Zodiac’s letters and ciphers can all be found in Tom Voigt’s Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, along with a chronological list of police reports related to this Northern California serial killer case. Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts has an easy-to-search index that will allow you to find the ciphers you’re interested in studying in a snap. 

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today. 

Will The Z13 Cipher Ever Be Solved?

The Zodiac Killer Case Remains Unsolved After 52 Years 

The American imagination is still haunted by the famous Zodiac killings in Northern California, now 52 years after the fact. Seven confirmed victims, only two of which survived, were unfortunate enough to cross paths with this famous serial killer in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The Zodiac himself, however, claimed that his body count was much higher – around 37 victims total. 

Those facts alone are haunting enough, but there is more that makes the Zodiac linger so in the minds and hearts of many. His taunting, threatening letters, and his mysterious ciphers have drawn many to this serial killer case. Many believe that this 52-year-old cold case might even be solved someday if the last two ciphers – Z32 and Z13. 

Ziraoui’s Z32 And Z13 Solutions Likely To Be A False Positive 

One recent attempt to solve the Z32 and Z13 Zodiac ciphers has gained quite a bit of attention recently. Indeed, French business consultant Fayçal Ziraoui’s attempts to crack these final two codes prove that the Zodiac’s taunting messages strike a chord beyond the borders of America. The Zodiac’s promise that his Z13 cipher could contain his identity is enough for amateur sleuths all over the world to try their hand at code-cracking. 

As of this moment, it seems unlikely that Ziraoui’s solutions to the Z32 and Z13 ciphers are true solutions. While the F.B.I. acknowledged the solution found for the Z340 cipher at the end of last year, they have yet to comment on Ziraoui’s solutions. Online communities are also skeptical of Ziraoui’s cipher solutions. 

Part of the issue with the solutions Ziraoui has posed is that he appears to have reached his answers through the use of “smoke and mirrors,” as our own Tom Voigt claims. Countless professionals and civilians have spent decades examining this case. Yet Ziraoui claims to have reached his answers in just two weeks. Voight has expressed doubt that someone could reach the correct solutions after only spending “a little bit of time to solve [the ciphers].” 

Want To Learn More About The Zodiac Killer Case? 

If news of these possible cipher solutions has drawn your attention to this famous serial killer case and you want to read up on it, try Tom Voigt’s Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts. Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts is a simple, straightforward, chronological collection of the police reports, letters, and ciphers related to the Zodiac Killer case. With its easily searchable index, this book makes it easy to familiarize yourself with the hard facts of the Zodiac Killer case. 

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today. 

2 Out of 4 Zodiac Ciphers Remain Unsolved

The Zodiac Taunted The Public During His Serial Killing Spree 

The Northern California serial murders that took place over the 1960s and 1970s have held a place in the hearts and minds of the American public for decades. The Zodiac Killer case, named for the nickname the killer gave himself, remains unsolved. Although the Zodiac taunted the public with his letters and ciphers, even hinting that his identity could be revealed if one of his ciphers were to be cracked, his identity remains a mystery approximately 50 years later. 

Supposed “Solution” To The Final Two Zodiac Ciphers Is Likely False 

Although French business consultant Fayçal Ziraoui has recently claimed to solve the final two Zodiac ciphers, it’s increasingly unlikely that his “solutions” have truly cracked the code. 

Why Are The Final Ciphers So Hard To Crack? 

It’s been approximately 50 years since the last time we heard from the killer who called himself “the Zodiac,” and yet two of the four ciphers he sent in his cryptic, taunting, and often threatening letters remain unsolved. Why? 

The issue is that the final two ciphers are so short. Cipher Z13 has only 13 characters and cipher Z23 has only 23 characters. The fewer characters in a cipher, the fewer chances there are for repetition, and thus the more difficult cracking said cipher becomes. On top of this issue, Ziraoui’s solutions to the last two Zodiac ciphers seem to be forced to suit the answers he wanted. 

The response of our own Tom Voigt to these supposed solutions is as follows: “This poor guy is such an egomaniac that he thinks he’s going to spend a little bit of time and solve a 52-year-old case using smoke and mirrors.”  

Get Only Facts, No Smoke And Mirrors, When You Read Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts 

Of course, even though the most recent attempt to crack the Zodiac Killer’s final ciphers seems to be a bust, that doesn’t mean that the answers might not be out there. Answers are most likely to be found through a thorough examination of the facts about the Zodiac Killer case, and not through entertaining flights of fancy. You can familiarize yourself with the Zodiac Killer case facts when you read Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts. 

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today. 

Can You Solve The Zodiac Killer Case Mysteries?

The Zodiac Left Behind Many Unsolved Mysteries 

Although decades have passed since The Zodiac’s murders in Northern California, The Zodiac Killer case remains one of the most disturbing and perplexing serial killer cases in America. Surely, the cryptic nature of the killer is why so many are still dedicated to discovering his identity all these years later. Will we ever solve the mysteries of the Zodiac Killer case? 

The Questions Surrounding The Zodiac 

As the case stands, we have more questions than answers. 

Why did he call himself the Zodiac? Did the name hold any special significance?  

What did the circle cross symbol, which the Zodiac drew in many of his letters, mean? 

Did he really kill as many as 37 people, as he claims to have done in his letters? If so, who were his other victims? 

What information is held in the last two unsolved Zodiac Killer ciphers? Could they really tell us his identity? 

The Zodiac Haunts Us Even Today 

With all of these unanswered questions, it’s little wonder that the Zodiac still haunts us so, even after his serial murder spree came to an end. 

Study The Facts, Figure Out The Answers Yourself 

Of course, no one has definitive answers for any of the above questions – at least not yet. There are many who are still dedicated to solving these mysteries, though. Could you be the one to crack the case? 

Read Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts 

Tom Voigt’s Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts doesn’t try to offer answers for these unsolved mysteries. What it offers instead are facts. Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts is a chronological collection of police reports related to the Zodiac Killer case along with the Zodiac’s letters and ciphers. You can know now what the police knew then. This book comes with an easily searchable index, making it easier than ever to study whatever pieces of this case draw your attention the most. 

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today. 

Do You Know The Zodiac Killer Survivors?

The Zodiac Killer Took The Lives Of Dozens In Northern California 

The Zodiac Killings took place in Northern California over a 5-year span in the 1960s and 1970s. Although only 7 victims are today conclusively attributed to the Zodiac Killer, the Zodiac claimed in his letters that he was responsible for 37 murders total. Decades later, the case has gone cold and the Zodiac’s identity remains a mystery.  

Did You Know That Not All Of The Zodiac’s Victims Died? 

It’s true. Of the 7 confirmed Zodiac Killer victims, 2 actually survived his assault. Their names are Mike Renault Mageau and Bryan Calvin Hartnell. Both Mageau and Hartnell were in the company of young women who also fell victim to the Zodiac Killer at the times of their assaults. 

Mageau was in the company of Darlene Ferrin. The two were conversing in a parked car in an isolated location. Their attacker shot Ferrin 5 times and short Mageau 4 times. 

Hartnell was with Cecelia Ann Shepard on a lakeside beach when an attacker approached them. This time, the Zodiac stabbed his victims. Shepard received a total of 10 stab wounds and Hartnell received a total of 6 stab wounds. 

The Zodiac Killer Has Yet To Be Identified 

In spite of the fact that two of the Zodiac’s victims survived their attacks, the identity of the Zodiac remains a mystery. How many more years will pass before we know who the Zodiac was? 

Know What The Police Knew – Read Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts 


If you want to familiarize yourself with the known facts of the Zodiac Killer case, read Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts by Tom Voigt. You can now access the knowledge the police had at the time of the murders. These police reports, all linked to the Zodiac Killer, are presented in chronological order. Readers can read through the relevant information over the whole course of the Zodiac’s 5-year killing spree in Northern California. With its easily searchable index, readers can easily find the location of any particular piece of information in Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts.  

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today. 

How Many People Did The Zodiac Killer Murder?

San Francisco police dept wanted poster of the Zodiac Killer

Can You Crack This Serial Killer Cold Case? 

The Zodiac Killer case has remained unsolved for decades. More than 50 years after the death of his last confirmed victim, the Zodiac’s case has gone cold. How long much longer will this famous serial killer case from the 1960s and 1970s go unsolved? Will we ever learn the true identity of the murder who called himself The Zodiac? 

How Many People Did The Zodiac Killer Murder? 

Even some of the basic facts of the Zodiac Killer case remain under debate. For example, how many victims did the Zodiac have during his 5-year killing spree in Northern California? The truth is that the list of victims the Zodiac has been conclusively linked to is rather short. Today, we only know for certain that these people were victims of the Zodiac: 

  • David Faraday 
  • Betty Lou Jensen 
  • Darlene Ferrin 
  • Mike Mageau 
  • Cecelia Shepard 
  • Bryan Hartnell 
  • Paul Stine 

Of these 7 victims, the Zodiac murdered 5. Two victims, Mageau and Hartnell, escaped with injuries. 

Were These All Of The Zodiac’s Victims? 

Although these were the only victims the police were able to prove that the Zodiac was responsible for, it’s likely that they weren’t the Zodiac’s only victims. In the letters he sent, he frequently claimed credit for unnamed victims that the police hadn’t yet found. By the end of his Northern California killing spree, the total amount of victims the Zodiac claimed credit for was 37. 

Want To Learn More About The Zodiac’s Victims? 


If you want to learn more about the Zodiac’s victims, Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts by Tom Voigt. Zodiac Killer: Just The Facts is a source that offers only the facts related to the Zodiac Killer case. Read a chronological collection of relevant police reports as well as the Zodiac’s letters and ciphers. You can know now what the police knew then and, if you study the information enough, maybe even solve this cold case. 

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today. 

Can You Solve The Zodiac Killer Ciphers?

1960s Serial Killer Case Remains Unsolved 

In spite of the fact that the Zodiac Killer’s first known murders occurred over 50 years ago, this famed serial killer case remains unsolved. The Zodiac Killer mocked the public and police forces for not being able to identify him and bragged about his murders. It’s little wonder this gruesome case, now gone cold, has left a scar on the collective psyches of those who remember it – especially those who lived in Northern California in the 1960s and 1970s.  

The Zodiac’s Mysterious Ciphers 

The Zodiac was well known for taunting the police and the civilian population alike in his letters. He frequently made demands and threatened to do “nasty” things if his demands weren’t met. His taunting nature can perhaps be best illustrated by the ciphers he wrote. 

The Zodiac wrote a total of four ciphers over the course of his 5-year serial killer spree in Northern California. Since the 1960s and 1970s, countless people have dedicated their time to try to decipher these cryptograms in hopes of identifying the Zodiac.  

Ciphers that Remain Unsolved 

Of his four cryptograms, only two have been solved. One of the unsolved ciphers is short, only comprised of 13 characters, and supposedly contains the Zodiac’s true identity. With only two ciphers solved nearly half a decade after the Zodiac Killer’s murder spree, how long will it take to solve the final two ciphers? Could you be the one to solve the cipher and find the Zodiac Killer’s identity? 

Read The Zodiac’s Ciphers In Zodiac’s Killer: Just The Facts 

If you want to try your hand at solving those final ciphers, you should read Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts by Tom Voigt. In Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, you’ll find a chronological collection of police reports related to the Zodiac Killer case along with the Zodiac’s famous letters and cryptograms. The easy to search index will lead you to the information you want to see the most. With the Zodiac’s ciphers in your hands, can you crack this decades’ old cold case? 

Information Gathered From the #1 Zodiac Killer Website 

Tom Voigt is responsible for the creation, curation, and editing of the #1 Zodiac Killer website, Zodiackiller.com. Launched in 1998, Zodiackiller.com remains the ONLY Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. To learn more about the release of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts, as well as other information about the Zodiac Killer case, visit Zodiackiller.com today.