FBI finally identifies infamous mystery 'Zodiac Killer' who massacred 5 people
The FBI has identified the infamous 'Zodiac Killer' who killed at least five people in the 1960s as an airforce veteran, a cold case investigator has claimed.
The theory has been put forward by journalist Thomas Colbert, who has said a Bureau whistleblower confirmed to him the chief suspect was Air Force veteran Gary Francis Poste.
Poste, who died in 2018, was connected to the case by a 'partial' DNA sample, Mr Colbert claims.
Case Breakers, an organisation set up by Mr Colbert to crack cold cases, said in a statement: "The felon has been secretly listed as the Zodiac "suspect" in Headquarters' computers since 2016."
The 'Zodiac Killer' is formally connected to five people brutally murdered in Northern California between 1968 and 1969. Their killer sent taunting letters and cryptograms to the authorities and newspapers.
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Police sketch of the man suspected of being the 'Zodiak Killer' (SFC)He was dubbed 'Zodiac' because some of his puzzles included astrological symbols.
As the murders were never solved, they captured the public's imagination inspiring countless books, documentaries and even blockbuster movies.
Although the killer is known to have killed five, the true figure could be much higher and the killer themselves claimed to have killed 37.
The FBI have frequently denied the case has been solved, most recently in October 2021.
One of the many cryptograms allegedly sent by the Zodiac Killer (Bettmann Archive)But Case Breakers say they have evidence connecting Airforce veteran Poste to all five murders and even a sixth from 1966.
The group quote their alleged whistleblower saying: "Like cops, federal agents are dealing with huge caseloads, constant training, odd rules and bureaucracy.
"But when someone wearing a badge or uniform works with others to avoid or hide materials, sidestep difficult procedures, or lie about evidence, they're hurting our volunteers and the thousands of families waiting for answers."
From left to right: Betty Lou Jensen, David Faraday, and Darlene Ferrin, alleged to be victims of the Zodiac Killer. (Bettmann Archive)Despite the claims from the group, the FBI have said the case remains "open and unsolved".
The supposed evidence that led the group of sleuths to Poste was that their suspect gave away a horde of guns, ammos and other weapons not long before he died.
"Old associates of the housepainter/alleged serial killer claim that, a few years prior to Poste's 2018 death at 80, he had quietly given away his weapons, pistol parts, gunpowder, bullets and shell casings – more than a thousand, involving 25 different calibres – to his favourite locals," Case Breakers added.
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The other two official victims of the killer - Cecelia Ann Shepard and Bryan Calvin HartnellJournalist Mr Colbert boxed up much of it and sent them to be investigated in labs in three different states.
He believes with this new evidence they identified the killer more than five decades later.
Mr Colbert told Fox News in 2021: "My FBI guys say it's irrefutable. It's a match.
"We also have six people that he's confessed to that he was the Zodiac. Three of them on our court affidavits. So we strongly feel that."
A wanted poster for the suspected killer (San Francisco Police Dept)The gang of sleuths making up Case Breakers also connected Poste to the brutal killing of student Cheri Jo Bates, 18, who was found stabbed 42 times and nearly decapitated on October 31, 1966.
Although the FBI have debunked any claims her murder was connected to the Zodiac Killer, Case Breakers aren't so sure. They have said Poste was in the area at the time of the killing.
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