Murder, Mystery & Makeup

Episode: "The Chilling Code That Was Never Cracked... Or Was It? - The Zodiac Killer"

Host: Bailey Sarian
Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

Bailey Sarian tackles the infamous case of the Zodiac Killer, a serial murderer who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s and whose identity remains one of America’s most enduring mysteries. Known for his cryptic ciphers, taunting letters, and brutal, seemingly random attacks, the Zodiac’s story highlights public fear, media frenzy, failed investigations, and the enduring obsession of amateurs and professionals alike. Bailey navigates the labyrinth of victims, suspects, unsolved codes, and conspiracy theories, all with her signature blend of dark humor and empathy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Who Was the Zodiac Killer? (04:56–06:00)

• Zodiac’s Modus Operandi: Targeted couples, sometimes in secluded areas (“lover’s lanes”), other times on busy city streets. Victims ranged from young couples to a lone cab driver, with even schoolchildren threatened.
• Psychological Warfare: Sent taunting letters, ciphers, and creepy phone calls to the media and police, creating a chilling public spectacle.
• Unsolved Mysteries: Despite DNA analysis and decades of investigation, Zodiac remains unidentified. Public engagement in code-breaking and online sleuthing keeps the case alive.

Early Suspected Zodiac Crimes

The 1963 "Rehearsal" at Tahigua’s Point (06:35–08:00)

• Victims: Linda Edwards and her boyfriend/fiancé Bobby Domingos, both found bound, shot, and their bodies dragged to a DIY shack. The killer tried (and failed) to burn the scene.
• Weapon: .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle.
• Link to Zodiac: Police later theorized this was the killer’s early “practice.” No suspect identified.

The Murder of Sherry Bates (08:12–10:20)

• Victim: Sherry Bates, an 18-year-old college student from Riverside, CA.
• Circumstances: Sherry’s car was sabotaged (ignition and distributor disabled), her body found stabbed and slashed, with DNA evidence under her nails (pre-dating DNA profiling).
• Cryptic Letters: Detailed confessions sent to police and press, ending with “Bates had to die. There will be more,” signed with a mysterious “2” or “Z”. These letters were dismissed as hoaxes—possibly a missed warning.

Confirmed Zodiac Murders

Lake Herman Road Murders (16:26–19:05)

• Victims: Betty Lou Jensen (16) and David Faraday (17) on their first date, December 20, 1968.
• Scenario: Both shot after being ordered from their car; no sign of robbery or sexual assault. Murder weapon: .22 handgun.
• Randomness: No motive, chilling efficiency. Brief timeline (six minutes) limited physical evidence.

Blue Rock Springs Attack (20:10–24:45)

• Victims: Darlene Farren (22) and friend Michael Mageau (19), July 4, 1969. Michael survived; Darlene did not.
• Details: Killer fired multiple shots, left, then returned to shoot again after hearing Michael’s cries.
• First Zodiac Claim: The killer called 911 (22:32), claimed the attack, and referenced the previous year’s murders.
• Description: 5'8”, heavy set, large-faced man (per Michael).

The First Letters & Ciphers (24:45–26:10)

• August 1969: Three Bay Area newspapers receive letters/ciphers with details only the killer would know, threatening more violence unless printed.
• Public Mania: Amateur and professional codebreakers race to solve the ciphers.
• First Cipher Solution: (25:24) Reveals Zodiac’s twisted motive:

  “I like killing people because it is so much fun. I will not give you my name because you will try to slow down or stop my collecting of slaves for my afterlife.”
  — Bailey Sarian quoting the cipher ([25:24])

• Signature: The circle+cross symbol becomes Zodiac’s calling card.

Lake Berryessa Attack (28:25–33:59)

• Victims: Brian Hartnell (20) and Cecilia Shepard (22), September 27, 1969.
• The Attack: Masked, hooded Zodiac approaches with a gun, claims to be a fugitive, binds both, stabs them brutally. Killer signs car door with dates and symbol.
• Survivor Statement:

  “I considered him a robber. I had absolutely no thought that he was anything but that…”
  — Brian Hartnell ([34:05])

• Clues: Military boot prints, unique knife wounds, the Zodiac’s first and only costume attack.
• Aftermath: Killer calls sheriff, confesses, and boasts anonymously.

The Paul Stine Taxi Murder (36:18–42:37)

• Victim: Paul Stine, 29-year-old San Francisco cab driver, October 11, 1969.
• Eyewitnesses: Teens see the murderer cut away a piece of Stine’s shirt as proof, wipe prints, and leave.
• Police Blunder: Dispatcher reports wrong suspect description (Black male); officers likely speak directly to Zodiac and let him go.
• Zodiac’s Letter: Taunts police, threatens schoolchildren specifically:

  “Schoolchildren make nice targets... [I’ll] wipe out a school bus some morning. Just shoot out the front tire, then pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out.”
  — Zodiac letter via Bailey Sarian ([39:55])

• Evidence: Bloody fingerprints; cipher known as “Z340” included.

Investigation & Suspects

Arthur Leigh Allen (44:27–53:08)

• Don Chaney’s Tip: Allen allegedly talked about “hunting people” and shooting at school buses ([47:23]).
• Police Search: Found weapons, military boots, a Zodiac watch, dead animals in fridge, no hard evidence.
• Later Search: Pipe bombs, bomb diagrams, Royal manual typewriter (matching Zodiac), but fingerprints, handwriting, and DNA do not match.
• Bailey’s Conundrum:

  “Arthur seemed to have like, an obsession with codes and ciphers...he matched some descriptions, owned a Zodiac brand watch... But police were like, that doesn’t mean he was the Zodiac. Okay.”
  — Bailey Sarian ([53:08])

• Incarceration: Allen jailed for unrelated child molestation during a Zodiac communication gap.
• Bailey’s Frustration:

  “If the dude’s making homemade bombs, isn’t that enough just to arrest him? … I got to Googling...apparently the bombs were not fully completed, so it wasn’t quite illegal.”
  ([53:45])

Other Suspects (58:09–63:54)

• Gary Francis Poste: Match in facial scars, cryptography skills, but DNA and evidence don’t support.
• Richard Gaikowski: Underground writer, military code training, writing style matches, but circumstantial.
• Lawrence Kane: Brain injury, impulse issues, local presence, but no evidence.
• Ross Sullivan: Worked at Riverside College Library during Bates's murder, disappeared after, but never linked by evidence.
• Earl Van Best Jr.: Named by son in a book; discredited, no DNA match.

“For every suspect put forth, you can find information with very convincing arguments as to who he is – and then you can find great arguments debunking those claims.”
— Bailey Sarian ([57:35])

The Ciphers & Public Fascination

• Unsolved Ciphers: Two ciphers ("Z13", "Z32") remain unsolved; many believe they were meant to taunt, not reveal Zodiac’s name.
• Amateur Sleuths:

  “People, investigators, Internet sleuths, have named suspects that they believe to be the Zodiac… There’s so many out there. It's so confusing. I'm lost in my mind...”
  ([57:23])

• Bailey’s Theory:

  “I do think it was Arthur [Leigh Allen]. But at the same time, how come they didn’t find like, any concrete evidence?”
  ([65:10])

• On the enduring obsession:

  “I think people really found this interesting because of the codes and ciphers. I think us as humans, we like trying to figure shit out like that… You play Wordle, don’t you?”
  ([65:43])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the case’s infamy:

  “What really makes the Zodiac unique, though, is, like, how deeply involved ordinary citizens were in trying to catch him, even to this day.”
  — Bailey Sarian ([05:28])

• On Arthur Leigh Allen’s bomb-making and oddities:

  “From his home, they took handwriting samples, hunting knives, a wooden dildo from under his bed, boots that would match those prints... But unfortunately, they found no hard evidence linking Arthur to the crimes. Having dead squirrels in your freezer and a wooden dildo isn’t illegal.”
  ([51:06])

• On surviving attack advice:

  “If you ever get attacked, and I pray it never happens to you, but if it does, make sure to scratch the shit out of the attacker and get all the DNA under your fingernails. Okay? That’s one thing. Okay, we have the technology now. Mysteries should not go unsolved.”
  ([65:54])

• On the enduring mystery:

  “I wonder if it will ever be truly solved. I hope so, right? ...What makes the Zodiac different from all the other killers? Well, he actually got away with it. Right, right, right.”
  ([65:50])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Introduction & Zodiac’s impact | 04:56–06:00 | | Early suspected Zodiac killing: Tahigua’s Point | 06:35–08:00 | | Sherry Bates murder, ciphers, first taunting letters | 08:12–10:20 | | The Lake Herman Road murders | 16:26–19:05 | | The Blue Rock Springs attack, first Zodiac claim | 20:10–24:45 | | First Zodiac ciphers, public involvement | 24:45–26:10 | | Lake Berryessa masked attack – Brian Hartnell’s account | 28:25–34:23 | | Paul Stine murder, police mishandling, “school bus” threat | 36:18–42:37 | | The Arthur Leigh Allen investigation | 44:27–53:08 | | Rundown of alternative suspects | 58:09–63:54 | | Enduring mysteries and Bailey’s reflections | 65:10–65:54 | | Survivor advice & closing thoughts | 65:54–66:39 |

Final Thoughts

Bailey deftly captures the endless intrigue of the Zodiac mystery: the cold precision of the attacks, the mocking theatrics of the letters, and the blizzard of suspects, speculation, and near-misses that have confounded generations. She blends true crime analysis with personal asides, acknowledging both the horror of the crimes and the very human drive to make sense of chaos.

“It goes so deep. There’s so many layers, so many theories, so many things… I get it now. I’m sorry. I get it.” ([62:43])

Despite new technologies, fresh suspects, and waves of documentary coverage, Zodiac’s identity—like his final ciphers—remains a code yet to be cracked.

Recommendation: Bailey suggests watching This Is the Zodiac Speaking on Netflix for more in-depth theories, especially regarding Arthur Leigh Allen.

Closing Note:
“Be safe out there… If you ever get attacked... get all the DNA under your fingernails. Mysteries should not go unsolved.”