When was the last letter from the Zodiac Killer?

Answer 1

The Zodiac sent zero letters to the SFPD. All of his letters were addressed to newspapers, a Los Angeles television station and some individuals including famed attorney Melvin Belli. There was a phone call to the Oakland PD by someone claiming to be the Zodiac on October 22, 1969. The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper received by far the most of Zodiac's correspondence.

Answer 2

Back in the 1960's in California, the Zodiac use to send cryptic letters to the newspapers taunting them because he could kill and they, the police, could not stop him or catch him. The case sat for years as inactive until March of 2007, when it was reopened. The Zodiac Killer claimed to have murdered thirty-seven people, but police could only confirm seven victims, of whom two survived.

He wrote 18 letters and 4 postcards. The first letters, sent to three San Francisco Bay Area newspapers, each including a part of a cryptogram, were postmarked July 31, 1969. He threatened that if the cryptogram was not printed on the front pages of those newspapers, "by the afternoon of Fry. (sic) 1st of Aug 69 I will go on a kill rampage Fry. (sic) night." His last letter was postmarked April 24, 1978 but there is some doubt that this was really written by Zodiac.

Answer 3

Most of his correspondence began with 'This is the Zodiac'. Many times he spoke of the people he killed and how he would kill more. He claimed his victims were to be his slaves in the afterlife. He loved to mention his favorite book The Most Dangerous Game, a story of man hunting his fellow man. He was derisive of police and loved to point out their failure to catch him. And virtually all envelopes were mailed with excessive postage. He wanted to make sure the letters got where they were intended instead the dead letter bin at the post office.

And of course he sent his ciphers. For some serial killers, the publicity is half the fun. This was true with Zodiac. If fact he would complain to the editor if his letters did not make front page coverage. The Zodiac's need for publicity is similar to London's Jack The Ripper and Kansas's BTK Denis Rader.

Answer 4

At least 18 letters were sent by the Zodiac Killer.

Answer 5

The Zodiac himself claimed he killed 37 people. But there are only seven confirmed victims. Five died and two survived.

Answer 6

April 24 1978