Has the Zodiac Killer finally been revealed?

In the 1960s, he committed several murders across California; a serial killer who called himself the Zodiac. His true identity was never discovered, although it seems that may be changing now. In the new true-crime documentary ’This is the Zodiac Speaking‘, new witnesses speak out who clearly point to one man.

The Zodiac Killer

The Zodiac Killer strikes for the first time in 1968 when he shoots two high school students. Almost seven months later, he repeats his act, again with two students. Both times he manages to escape, and the police have no idea who the perpetrator is. On August 4, 1969, several local newspapers receive a letter. The writer calls himself the Zodiac, claims the two murder attempts, and mentions details that only the police know. There is also a cipher included, which is deciphered later, in which the murderer threatens with more violence. The letter is signed with a circle with a line through it, later the symbol of the Zodiac Killer. More murders and more letters follow, but the perpetrator is still not found. Some ciphers are still not deciphered.

Arthur Leigh Allen

During the investigation, one man emerges as the main suspect: Arthur Leigh Allen. He worked as an elementary school teacher in the town of Atascadero in California. His name was mentioned several times to the police. In conversations with acquaintances, Allen allegedly made statements that suspiciously resembled quotes from the Zodiac's letters. The police searched his house multiple times. And although quite unusual items were found, bombs and shoes that resembled those of the murderer, there was never hard evidence to accuse Allen. For years, he was monitored by the police and the media. Until his death in 1992, he denied being the Zodiac Killer.

The Seawater Family

David, Connie, and Don Seawater were taught by ‘Mr. Allen’. He became friends with the children's mother and became a father figure to them. Their real father was in a psychiatric institution. The children thought Allen was great; he took them on outings and was always there for the family. As they grew older, they also heard the rumors that Allen might be the Zodiac Killer. They couldn't and wouldn't believe it and continued to see and speak to him regularly. Even when Connie asks him if he is the murderer, and he replies, “if I told you that, I would have to kill you too,” she laughs it off. They know ‘Mr. Allen’, right? That's not who he is. It is only when a film about the Zodiac Killer is made in 2007 that puzzle pieces start to fall into place for the Seawater family.

This is the Zodiac Speaking

In the new Netflix documentary, David, Connie, and Don talk about their childhood with Allen and everything they experienced with him. The creators also spoke with other former students and with journalists and researchers who have dealt with the case. All details seem to increasingly link Allen to the Zodiac. In his lessons, he taught the children ciphers and played songs about murder and death. The outings that the Seawater children took with him turned out to be to the places where the murders were eventually committed. Allen made the children wait in the car and only returned after a while, once even with bloodied hands. The more they think back, the clearer it becomes to them that he must be the Zodiac. They now share their story because they believe the survivors deserve to know what, at least according to them, the truth is. To this day, investigations are ongoing. The question is, of course, whether we will ever get a definitive answer. Although after watching this docuseries, you will almost certainly no longer doubt.

‘This is the Zodiac Speaking’ is now available on Netflix.

Image: Netflix