Episode 667: The Zodiac Killer (Part 1) – Morbid Podcast Summary

Released April 28, 2025 by Morbid Network | Wondery

Introduction

In Episode 667 of Morbid, hosts Ash and Elena delve into the chilling case of the Zodiac Killer, exploring the intricacies of his crimes, communication methods, and the ensuing police investigation. This episode meticulously outlines the sequence of murders attributed to the Zodiac Killer, highlighting the fear and confusion that gripped the communities involved.

The First Murders: David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen (December 1968)

The Zodiac Killer's reign of terror began in December 1968 with the brutal murders of 17-year-old David Faraday and his 16-year-old girlfriend, Betty Lou Jensen, on Lake Herman Road in Vallejo, California.

• Background of Victims:

  • Ash (08:40): “David was one of Vallejo High School’s star wrestlers… Betty was a popular and responsible student at Hogan High School.”

• The Crime Scene:

  • On the evening of December 20, 1968, after a seemingly innocent date, David and Betty were parked at a beloved local spot when a second car pulled up behind them and opened fire. Betty was killed instantly, and David succumbed to his injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital.

• Police Response:

  • Ash (12:30): “David was shot once in the head, just behind the left ear. Betty was shot five times in the back with one bullet piercing her heart.”

Despite numerous witnesses, including Stella Borges who discovered the bodies at [11:20], investigators found little evidence to identify the assailant. The community was left bewildered, as both victims were well-liked and had no apparent enemies.

Challenges in the Initial Investigation

The investigation faced significant obstacles:

• Limited Evidence:

  • The cold December weather froze the ground, eliminating potential tire tracks from the perpetrator's vehicle.

• Lack of Motive:

  • Friends and family provided no leads, leading investigators to ponder if the killer was a stranger with no known connection to the victims.

• Alternative Theories:

  • Investigators considered that the murders might be the act of a "murderous maniac" disconnected from the victims’ lives.

The Killer's Communication: Letters and Ciphers

A defining aspect of the Zodiac case was the killer’s communication with the media and police through cryptic letters:

• First Letter:

  • Sent to the San Francisco Chronicle, detailing the murders with specific facts only the killer and police knew, accompanied by a hand-drawn cipher (37:02).

• Cipher Characteristics:

  • Elena (37:22): “Very unsettling… Each letter had misspelled words and inconsistent punctuation, which seemed intentional.”

• Decoding Efforts:

  • High school teacher Donald Hardin and his wife Betty cracked the cipher, revealing the message: “I LIKE KILLING PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH FUN.” The subsequent messages continued to taunt the police, establishing the Zodiac persona.

• Notable Quote:

  • Ash (36:47): “I LIKE KILLING PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH FUN… When I die, I will be reborn in PARADISE…”

The Second Set of Murders: Darlene Ferrin and Mike Mageau (July 4, 1969)

Nearly seven months later, the Zodiac Killer claimed two more lives:

• Victims:

  • 22-year-old Darlene Ferrin and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Mike Mageau, met their end at Blue Rock Springs on the Fourth of July.

• The Attack:

  • Ash (26:32): “A man in a hood with a semi-automatic handgun approached their car and indiscriminately shot them. Mike survived with multiple gunshot wounds, providing a crucial eyewitness account.”

• Eyewitness Account:

  • Mike Mageau described the attacker’s vehicle and appearance, aiding the investigation despite his severe injuries.

• Police Investigation:

  • Investigators struggled to connect the second set of murders to the first, as the modus operandi differed slightly, but suspicions remained high that it was the same individual.

Public and Police Response

The Zodiac Killer's actions sowed widespread fear:

• Community Fear:

  • Elena (21:30): “People couldn’t fathom that by 2025 we still wouldn’t know who this person is.”

• Law Enforcement Efforts:

  • Police intensified their search, establishing reward funds and conducting extensive interviews, yet the killer remained elusive.

• Impact on Society:

  • The killings disrupted the sense of safety in the community, with public advisories cautioning against visiting secluded areas.

The Third Set of Murders: Cecilia Shepard and Brian Hartnell (September 27, 1969)

The Zodiac Killer escalated his brutality with the murders of Cecilia Shepard and Brian Hartnell:

• Victims:

  • Cecilia Shepard, a 22-year-old mother, and Brian Hartnell, a 20-year-old student from Pacific Union College.

• The Attack:

  • Ash (52:00): “The killer, disguised in a makeshift hood with a crosshairs symbol, approached the couple at Lake Berryessa, brutally stabbing them multiple times.”

• Surviving Victim:

  • Brian Hartnell survived despite being stabbed eight times, providing a more detailed description of the attacker and his vehicle.

• Killer’s Signature:

  • A message was traced back to the previous murders, reinforcing the theory that all killings were perpetrated by the same individual.

Cipher Decryption and Media Involvement

The Zodiac Killer’s taunting communications continued to baffle and provoke investigators:

• Second Cipher:

  • An anonymous individual cracked another cipher, which included more personal details and further established the Zodiac’s pattern of communication.

• Notable Quote:

  • Elena (49:09): “Donald Hardin said he’s bright enough, but not necessarily of high intellect.”

• Public Engagement:

  • The media played a significant role in disseminating the Zodiac’s messages, though not all publications complied fully with his demands, inadvertently encouraging further silence.

Community Fear and Law Enforcement Efforts

The Zodiac Killer's unresolved spree heightened community anxiety:

• Ongoing Threat:

  • With three sets of murders attributed to the same individual, the belief that the Zodiac would strike again intensified.

• Police Descriptions:

  • Ash (60:03): “A young, short, and heavyset man, driving a brown car.”

• Public Advisories:

  • Law enforcement issued warnings to stay away from secluded areas, reflecting the pervasive fear.

Summary and Conclusion

Part one of Morbid's exploration into the Zodiac Killer provides a comprehensive overview of his early murders, the cryptic communications that defined his infamy, and the profound impact on the Vallejo and broader communities. Despite intensive investigations, the Zodiac Killer remained an elusive figure, leaving behind a trail of fear, unanswered questions, and one of the most enduring mysteries in true crime history.

Ash and Elena conclude Part 1 by acknowledging the complexity and horror of the case, setting the stage for further exploration in Part 2.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On the Initial Crime Scene:

  • Ash (12:30): “David was shot once in the head, just behind the left ear. Betty was shot five times in the back with one bullet piercing her heart.”

• On the Cipher’s Decoding:

  • Ash (37:02): “I LIKE KILLING PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH FUN…”

• On the Killer’s Communication Style:

  • Elena (37:22): “Each letter had misspelled words and inconsistent punctuation, which seemed intentional.”

• On the Second Attack:

  • Ash (26:32): “A man in a hood with a semi-automatic handgun approached their car and indiscriminately shot them.”

• On Public Fear:

  • Elena (21:30): “People couldn’t fathom that by 2025 we still wouldn’t know who this person is.”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key elements discussed in Part 1 of Episode 667, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the Zodiac Killer’s early activities, the investigative challenges faced, and the profound societal impact of his crimes.