Podcast Summary: Boiling Point — Introducing Season 4 of Crimes of the Times

Host: LA Times Studios
Date: April 7, 2026

Episode Overview

This special crossover episode introduces Season 4 of Crimes of the Times, focusing on one of America’s most enduring criminal mysteries: the Zodiac killings of the late 1960s. Host Christopher Goffard and guest Alex Baber, a self-taught sleuth, discuss Baber’s groundbreaking claim—using cutting-edge technology and personal obsession, he believes he’s cracked the infamous Z13 cipher and uncovered a link between the Zodiac and the earlier Black Dahlia murder. The episode delves into Baber’s process, background, and the controversial hypothesis that one man could be behind California’s two most notorious unsolved cases.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Challenge of the Zodiac’s Z13 Cipher

• Introduction to the Puzzle (00:00–00:55)

  • Chris introduces Alex Baber, a determined puzzle-solver intent on cracking the Zodiac’s infamous 13-character cipher, Z13.
  • The cipher, sent in 1970, has long eluded experts and was believed by many to be unsolvable due to its brevity.

• Baber’s Methodology (01:17–02:30)

  • Alex explains his systematic approach, using AI and computational analysis to filter through countless name combinations.
    • "With the help of AI and C computing and progressions, I was able to eliminate 93, almost 94% of the field..." (Alex Baber, 01:17)
  • Cross-referenced AI-generated results with public records, eyewitness descriptions, and other Zodiac-related data.

Who is Alex Baber?

• Background and Motivation (01:36–03:17)

  • Baber, aged 50 and based in West Virginia, founded Cold Case Consultants of America. His interest in the Zodiac started after watching David Fincher’s Zodiac film in 2007, which popularized Arthur Leigh Allen as a suspect.
  • He describes his journey as grueling but fueled by obsession:
    • "There were so many outcomes that you couldn’t identify one name in particular. But...eventually I would get down to only one being left." (Alex Baber, 02:30)

• Personality and Reception (03:05–03:32)

  • Baber admits his confidence and bluntness turn some people off; critics call him overconfident and unqualified since he has no law enforcement or PI credentials.
    • "Well, I’m very matter of fact. I speak fast, I’m detail oriented, and I come across as being arrogant or overly confident..." (Alex Baber, 03:05)
    • A critic says: "This guy is a great smooth talker, but it’s a lot of empty calories." (03:17)

• Life Experience (03:32–04:41)

  • Baber discusses his autism, which led to bullying and dropping out of school. He credits his autism for his focus and ability to self-teach forensic and criminological skills.
    • "From that moment. I went and I started purchasing these books online for forensics, fingerprint analysis, handwriting, building my expertise..." (Alex Baber, 04:05)

Alleged Breakthrough: The Z13 Solution

• Process and Results (04:41–)
  • Baber claims to have algorithmically generated 71 million possible name combinations for the Z13 cipher.
  • Narrowed down to a single name: Marvin Merrill—later revealed as an alias for Marvin Margolis, who died in 1993.
  • Margolis, Baber contends, has links to both the Zodiac and the earlier Black Dahlia murder of Elizabeth Short in 1947.

The Controversial Connection: Zodiac & Black Dahlia

• Presenting the Hypothesis (04:41–end)
  • Baber and his team suggest a hidden web of clues ties Margolis to both landmark cases. This bombshell claim underpins the new season of Crimes of the Times.
  • The episode ends by inviting listeners to the upcoming season covering:
    • Why Margolis was overlooked as a suspect for decades
    • How so many professionals missed the possible connection
    • The broader implications for crime solving and historical narratives

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Puzzles are what stimulates my mind, and I like tackling them...the Z13 was impossible."
  —Alex Baber (00:00)

• "There were so many outcomes that you couldn’t identify one name in particular. But I knew that it wasn’t an infinite number. And eventually I would get down to only one being left."
  —Alex Baber (02:30)

• "You know, that’s difficult for people when they see me...they try to attack me rather than taking the time to get to know me."
  —Alex Baber (03:32)

• "It was very difficult for me, Chris, to earn the respect of those who are experts in their fields...then you start to build credibility and word starts to spread."
  —Alex Baber (04:05)

• "The Black Dahlia murder of 1947 is arguably California’s most notorious unsolved case. Its only rival might be the Zodiac murders...Now an amateur sleuth is attracting attention with the claim that the same killer is responsible for both cases."
  —Christopher Goffard (05:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 00:55: Introduction to Alex Baber and the Zodiac killer case
• 01:17 – 02:30: Baber details his AI-based approach to cracking the Z13 cipher
• 03:05 – 03:32: Baber addresses skepticism about his background and confidence
• 04:05 – 04:41: Baber explains how his autism and autodidactic learning shaped his investigation
• 04:41 – 05:05: Revelation of the Z13 solution and possible Zodiac–Black Dahlia link
• 05:05 – End: Preview of Season 4’s investigations into the Margolis theory

Summary Tone and Takeaways

The episode blends journalistic curiosity with the tone of a true crime thriller. Baber’s intensity and outsider status inject both skepticism and intrigue into his theory. The sweeping new claim connecting Zodiac and the Black Dahlia cases is left for the next episodes, promising deep dives and contentious debates. This opener is both a teaser and a challenge to the status quo of decades-old criminal investigations.

For listeners interested in the cross section of AI, amateur sleuthing, and classic California crime, Season 4 of Crimes of the Times is set to offer a provocative re-examination of legends long thought unsolvable.