Featured series

Ten Days of Count Marco

The ten newspaper columns preceding the July 1974 “Red Phantom” letter, with an introduction and Michael Cole’s conclusions.

1. Start with the introduction and index

   Follow the columns in date order, June 25–July 8, 1974. The original series numbers run from Day #10 to Day #1.

2. Read the conclusions

   Michael Cole considers what may have prompted the letter, whose attribution remains uncertain.

Crimes & evidence

Read case-focused analysis and examine source material. Proposed connections to the Zodiac are distinguished from established attacks.

• Paul Stine: A Victim of Opportunity

  Michael Kelleher examines Paul Stine’s final journey.

• Cheri Jo Bates Evidence Analysis

  Documents concerning the Cheri Jo Bates investigation, accompanied by the original 2012 commentary.

• Reconsidering The Confession

  A contributor’s questions about the Confession letter and its authorship.

• Robert Domingos and Linda Edwards Video

  A video about the Domingos and Edwards case, whose connection to the Zodiac is proposed.

Ciphers & communications

Read the newspaper context for the “My Name Is” cipher, then Michael Cole’s proposed interpretation. Explore the letters through the Count Marco series and other articles.

• “My Name Is” Cipher Motivation

  A newspaper article provides context for Michael Cole’s reading of the My Name Is cipher.

• A proposed “My Name Is” cipher solution

  Michael Cole’s proposed interpretation of the thirteen-symbol cipher.

• Ten Days of Count Marco — the complete series

  Begin with the introduction, follow the ten columns by date, and finish with the conclusions. The attribution of the associated letter is discussed as uncertain.

• Zodiac Letter Word Cloud

  A visual exploration of frequently used words in the letters.

Theories & critical reading

Consider how evidence is interpreted and how theories develop. These essays preserve the authors’ perspectives at publication.

• People Accused of Being the Zodiac Killer

  A catalogue of public accusations, deliberately distinguished from a list of established suspects.

• Advancing a Zodiac Killer Theory

  A contributor perspective on developing and presenting a theory.

• The Zodiac Killer and Celestial Navigation

  Michael Cole’s celestial-navigation interpretation, originally published in 2006.

• Two New Theories Regarding the Zodiac Case

  An essay originally published in 2003, with the author’s note that some opinions have evolved.

Tools & source material

Resources for readers who want to explore further.

• Zodiac Killer Cipher Generator

  Create a cipher using Zodiac-style symbols.

• Zodiac Killer Cipher Generator Video

  Watch the cipher generator walkthrough.

• Zodiac Fonts

  Find the Zodiac fonts.

• Bibliography

  Browse the newspaper bibliography; its original scope is described on the page.