case 3 pt 2

Hey, guys. As promised, here's the second portion of last week's case. I've been super sick, so I apologize for any spelling or grammar mistakes. Part three will be up next week, concluding the case.  Enjoy! -Dahlia

David Faraday- 17 & Betty Lou Jensen- 16

December 20, 1968

C.O.D. - gunshot wounds

Location- Vallejo, California

                On the outskirts of Vallejo, California, in a desolate area on Lake Herman Road, the bodies of teenagers, 17 year old David Faraday and 16 year old Betty Lou Jensen, were found. It was nearing midnight when the two teens were ambushed. It’s believed that by firing shots into the Station Wagon, the killer hoped the teens would be forced to exit. David was shot once in the head immediately following his exit from the vehicle. He died a short while later. Betty Lou attempted escape from her would-be killer, but she was unsuccessful. She died immediately from 5 gunshot wounds to the back. This attack is widely considered to be the Zodiac’s first.

Darlene Ferrin (killed)- 22 & Michael Mageau (survived)- 19

July 4, 1969

C.O.D.- gunshot wounds

Location- Vallejo, California

                22 year old Darlene Ferrin and 19 year old Michael Mageau were the next victims of who is now known as the Zodiac killer. Michael was shot 4 times but survived the attack, while Darlene was shot 5 times and succumbed to her injuries. The two were parked in a remote spot talking when another vehicle approached them. The two believed that it was a police officer, so they produced the necessary I.D. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and the man fired 5 shots without warning. After walking away  briefly, he returned and fired a total of 4 more shots. Michael was able to provide a description of their attacker to the police, claiming he was a white male of average height and stocky build with dark hair. He appeared to be in his late 20’s or early 30’s. Nearly 22 years later, Michael identified his attacker as Arthur Leigh Allen and claimed that the original officers on the case never showed him any photographs of suspects after his attack.

Cecelia Shepard (killed)- 22 & Bryan Hartnell (survived)- 20

September 27, 1969

C.O.D.- stab wounds

Location- Lake Berryessa

                Cecelia Shepard, 22 and Bryan Hartnell, 20, were relaxing at Lake Berryessa when the unimaginable happened. A large man wearing a black hooded costume approached them. He was carrying a gun and demanded money and a car from the couple so he could make his escape to Mexico. Cecelia and Bryan offered no resistance, but the demanded items were ignored, and the attacker tied them up and began to stab them. Cecelia was stabbed 10 times and died in the hospital, while Bryan was stabbed 6 times and survived the brutal ordeal. The attacker then strolled away, stopping only to carve a message for police into the door of the victim’s car.

Paul Stine 29

October 11, 1969

C.O.D.-  gunshot wound

Location- San Francisco, California

                The Zodiac’s last confirmed victim was 29 year old Paul Stine. On this night, cab driver, Paul Stine, would pick up his last fare, as he was shot in the head at point blank range. The killer took Paul’s wallet, keys, and a portion of his shirt. While it’s indicated that the original destination of the fare was Washington and Maple, Paul stopped a block away, on Washington and Cherry, where three people witnessed his murder. The description of the man given by witnesses was similar to those given in earlier attacks. A fumble with the description over police airwaves potentially led to Zodiac escaping.

Methodology-

                 The first three attacks were carried out in remote locations, while the last was carried out in an occupied neighborhood. All victims except Cecelia Shepard and Bryan Hartnell were shot. And all of the attacks had two victims except the Paul Stine murder. No sexual assault was present at any of the crime scenes, and none of the bodies except Paul Stine appeared to have been touched by the killer post-mortem. By overwhelming majority, the deceased victims of the Zodiac killer are women, though men were attacked as well. The first attack used a .22 caliber pistol, while all other shooting attacks used a .9 mm pistol. Shepard and Hartnell were attacked with a wooden handled knife.

References:

https://www.biography.com

www.zodiackiller.com