Everything Everywhere Daily — "The Zodiac Killer"

Host: Gary Arndt
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Gary Arndt dives into the dark and labyrinthine mystery of the Zodiac Killer, one of the most infamous unsolved serial murder cases in American history. He reconstructs the timeline of confirmed murders, the killer’s communications with law enforcement and the media, and explores prominent suspects, while also highlighting advances in forensic investigation and ongoing public fascination with the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Zodiac’s Crimes: Timeline & Modus Operandi

• First Confirmed Attack (Lake Herman Road)

  • [03:01] December 20, 1968, Lake Herman Road, Benicia, CA
  • Teenagers Betty Lou Jensen and David Arthur Faraday found shot; both die from gunshot wounds
  • "These two murders would mark the first of several murders committed by one of the most notorious serial killers in American history — the Zodiac Killer." (Host, 03:19)

• Second Attack (Blue Rock Springs Park)

  • [04:19] July 4, 1969, Vallejo, CA
  • Darlene Farren (deceased) and Michael Mageau (survived) shot in parked car
  • "Mageau did his best to help investigators piece together what happened that night and also described what the attacker looked like." (Host, 04:21)
  • Description: white, heavy set, ~195-200 lbs, 5'8", curly light brown hair, dark clothing
  • Killer calls police from a nearby payphone, confessing to both attacks

• First Letters & Ciphers

  • [04:54] August 1, 1969
  • Local newspapers receive letters with a 408-character cipher claiming responsibility for both attacks
  • Zodiac claims identity will be revealed in the ciphers; demands newspapers print the cipher
  • "Despite the Zodiac’s claims, the message didn't reveal his identity, but instead explained the Zodiac's worldview." (Host, 05:36)
  • Zodiac expresses his philosophy about killing and the afterlife

• Lake Berryessa Attack

  • [06:01] September 1969
  • College students Brian Hartnell (survived) and Celia Shepard (deceased) stabbed by a hooded figure displaying the Zodiac symbol
  • Killer binds victims, then stabs both, leaves with no attempt to hide his identity, leaves message on car door
  • "People reported seeing a suspicious man in the area who was described as heavyset and roughly 6ft tall." (Host, 07:16)
  • Victims’ screams heard by fisherman and his son; police retrieve palm print from payphone

• Murder of Paul Stine (San Francisco)

  • [08:03] October 11, 1969
  • Zodiac hails a cab, shoots the driver; three teens witness the attack
  • Police mistakenly search for an African American suspect due to dispatcher error
  • Zodiac evades police after being stopped and questioned; killer described as a husky white man in dark jacket

The Murders’ Aftermath: Victims & Claims

• Confirmed Victims: The five core attacks discussed above
  • "These five murders make up the official list of Zodiac victims." (Host, 09:37)
• The Zodiac claimed 37 victims in total — but authorities cannot confirm more due to varying methods and locales
• Additional possible cases: many, but none conclusively tied to Zodiac

Zodiac’s Letters and Ciphers

• Ongoing Correspondence

  • [10:16] 1969–1974: multiple taunting letters and cryptograms
  • Notable ciphers:
    • "340 character cryptogram where he essentially describes not being fearful of death because he will be in paradise sooner. This cryptogram wasn't solved until the year 2020." (Host, 10:46)
    • April 1970: “My name is...” with a 13-character unsolved cipher
    • June 1970: 32-character cipher referencing a supposed buried bomb; never decoded, bomb never found
  • Killer sometimes threatened schools and bus children, escalating public fear

• Killer’s Direct Contact with Police

  • [12:02] Sent pieces of victim’s shirt with letters, confirming authenticity
  • Bragged about almost being caught: "He was questioned by police just minutes after he had murdered Stine." (Host, 12:55)

Key Suspects: Theories & Evidence

• Arthur Leigh Allen

  • Navy veteran & elementary school teacher; the only suspect publicly searched and named
  • Connections:
    • Owned same type of typewriter as used in connected case (Sherry Jo Bates murder)
    • Identified by Michael Mageau as possible attacker
    • Owned a Zodiac-symbol watch; found with bloody knives after Lake Berryessa attack
    • Arrested for child molestation just as Zodiac letters stopped
  • Forensics:
    • DNA, fingerprints, and handwriting did NOT match Zodiac evidence
    • "Allen's DNA and fingerprints didn't match. The composite sketch of the Zodiac Killer also didn't match." (Host, 14:32)

• Earl Van Best, Jr.

  • Accused by son, Gary L. Stewart, in book The Most Dangerous Animal
  • Claimed: resemblance to sketch, handwriting and partial DNA/fingerprint matches
  • However, evidence discredited; Van Best was in Europe during murders, analysis manipulated

• Gary Francis Post

  • Identified in 2021 by the Case Breakers (team of former law enforcement, journalists, intelligence)
  • Arguments: history of violence, supposed "cult following", scars matching no witnesses, same shoe size
  • DNA match to murder not confirmed
  • News anchor Dale Julin had also accused Post since 2014, claimed Post privately confessed
  • Little credible forensic evidence; still viewed skeptically by authorities

Modern Forensic Hope

• "Modern developments in the field of forensics have renewed hope for investigators that they will one day be able to finally unmask the killer. Specifically, DNA matching through genealogy is a tool investigators are hopeful will help solve the murders." (Host, 17:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Despite the Zodiac’s claims, the message didn't reveal his identity, but instead explained the Zodiac's worldview… he claimed that killing people is so much fun, was a thrilling experience, and that he would be reborn in paradise and that all the people he killed would be his slaves in the afterlife.” (Host, 05:36)
• “One of the most notable aspects of the Zodiac Killer case was the multiple instances of the murderer corresponding with and taunting law enforcement.” (Host, 10:16)
• “This letter was also famous for its threat to shoot the tires of a school bus and murder the children as they left the vehicle.” (Host, 12:02)
• “Although the Zodiac Killer hasn't been caught, that doesn't mean that it will never happen… modern developments in the field of forensics have renewed hope.” (Host, 17:19)

Important Timestamps

• 03:01 — Discovery of first Zodiac murders (Lake Herman Road)
• 04:19 — Blue Rock Springs attack and survivor’s ID
• 04:54 — Zodiac’s first letters and demands
• 06:01 — Lake Berryessa stabbing
• 08:03 — Murder of Paul Stine and police mistakes in response
• 10:16 — Overview of letters, threats, and taunting
• 14:05 — Breakdown of major suspects: Allen, Van Best, Post
• 17:19 — Discussion of modern forensic techniques and hope for case closure

Tone & Style

Gary Arndt narrates the episode in a calm, informative tone, focusing on facts while acknowledging both the mystery and the chilling spectacle of the case. He gives a balanced view, avoiding sensationalism even with such a notorious subject, and emphasizes the ongoing work of law enforcement and science.

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive and accessible account of the Zodiac Killer’s crimes, the cultural impact of his taunting correspondence, and the ongoing debate over suspects. It closes with hope that new forensic methods may some day provide answers in this enduring American mystery.