How Did the Zodiac Killer Get His Name and Did He Ever Get Caught?
- The curious Zodiac Killer case has intrigued America for over 6 decades due to his tendency to taunt and demean the authorities who were never able to find him.
- The latest docuseries unravels a few pieces of evidence that claim a man called Arthur Leigh Allen was the killer.
- Officially, he is said to have killed 5 people but some suggest his body count goes beyond 37 in reality.
Diving into the mind of a serial killer is fascinating, especially since one never knows what to expect. While some seem charming on the outside, hiding a rotting feeling inside, others display a violent streak pretty early on. Nevertheless, the case of the Zodiac Killer is a curious one.
The latest docuseries, This is the Zodiac Speaking, explores the shreds of evidence that hint at Arthur Leigh Allen being the Zodiac Killer. Moreover, the country has been intrigued by his actions ever since the killer went on a spree in the late 1960s. Even though the series tries to answer many questions that have pained the masses for so long, there are some that nobody knows the answers to. Let’s unravel a few details.
The Mystery Behind Zodiac Killer’s Name
One of the standout features of the Zodiac Killer was how he weaved a web of mystery around his identity and his actions. Rather than the authorities finding more about him and digging into his past, he served a few details to them on a silver platter. Starting with the intriguing letters he wrote to the police and news outlets, claiming responsibility for the murders he committed.
He reveled in the enigma of his own creation and enjoyed seeing the authorities squirm when they couldn’t really find his identity. Even though the Zodiac Killer is not the most dangerous or menacing serial killer in the history of America, the puzzled case continues to baffle people.
As to the meaning and origins of his name, Zodiac Killer was named because of the puzzles and ciphers he added to his letters. More than offering any personal information, the letters managed to confuse the reader completely, thus falling into the Killer’s trap. His letters contained taunting messages and condescending statements that further angered police officials and reporters who strived to unleash his identity.
He enjoyed the attention so much that he began his letters with the words, “This is the Zodiac speaking,” hence the title of the latest docuseries. The contents of the letters further shed light on how twisted his mind really was. When some citizens managed to decode the cryptograms, two of them read, “I like killing people because it is so much fun.” Another cipher said, “I hope you are having lots of fun in trying to catch me.”
Who was the Zodiac Killer?
This is the Zodiac Speaking docuseries explores the possibility of Arthur Leigh Allen being the Zodiac killer since a few people who knew him testified on camera on some striking similarities. Firstly, Allen loved puzzles and cryptic pieces that he gave to his students to solve when he worked as a primary school teacher.
Moreover, he displayed a violent streak where he often spoke about the urge to kill couples, who were the explicit targets of the Zodiac Killer. Allen fell in love with Phyllis and later went on to live with her and her kids. They spoke about Allen’s often eccentric actions and more evidence that hinted at his true identity. Nevertheless, Allen remains one of the few suspects who were thought to be the Zodiac Killer.
Bringing the Zodiac Killer to Justice
No matter how hard the police department and reporters tried to figure out who was behind the cryptic ciphers, the man was never found. The Zodiac Killer case remains one of the most elusive and intriguing unsolved cases in America’s history. Numerous movies and projects have focused on this real-life case that sent people into a frenzy back in the day.
The true identity of the Zodiac Killer has not been found to date. Even though a book and the latest docuseries make a compelling case for Allen being the serial killer, he was dismissed as a suspect when every piece of evidence turned out to be circumstantial. A windbreaker similar to the one Allen wore was found near one of the crime scenes and he was also placed near one of the scenes in the given time frame. Still, it remains a burgeoning mystery how he managed to walk off unscathed.
There were a few survivors who lived on to tell the tale of their encounter with the Zodiac Killer. However, they could not fully identify the person even after a possible sketch of his face was drawn. He claimed to have hidden his true identity in the ciphers he sent to the police. Alas, nobody has been able to find that out even today. The killer even claimed to hide the location for his next possible attack in symbols and signs in the letters which too have not been decoded yet.
The urge to catch him and bring him to justice was so high that police officials started consulting cult specialists and psychics to get a hint of his identity and the truth behind his actions. The desperation only managed to spur the Zodiac Killer further, making him more resolute in his actions.
Victims of the Zodiac Killer
The Zodiac Killer managed to claim 5 known victims in the one year he was the most active namely David Arthur Faraday (17), Betty Lou Jensen (16), Darlene Elizabeth Ferrin (22), Cecelia Ann Shepard (22), and Paul Lee Stine (29). However, he is said to have killed over 37 people, perhaps the cases that were never even brought to light. If Allen is believed to be the serial killer, we can add the child molestation charges to the rap sheet that made Allen serve jail time.
There’s no denying the incredibly horrendous state of mind of the killer that made him target young couples and an odd cab driver. In his letters, the Zodiac Killer managed to describe exactly how he committed the crime, calling newspaper reports false and proving police evidence worthless.
This is the Zodiac Speaking is streaming on Netflix.
