The Zodiac Killer's cipher finally solved According to F.B.I.

By: Mandy Ojeda

Mar. 21, 2020

A San Francisco Police Department wanted bulletin and copies of letters sent to The San Francisco Chronicle. Credit Eric Risberg/Associated Press

As we all may know, there are many serial killers and unsolved mysteries that remain out there until this day. One of the most mysterious crimes that had left police thinking and guessing for nearly half a century was a serial killer whom was known as and went by "The Zodiac Killer".

The Zodiac Killer's crimes began in the late 1960's towards the early 1970's. He had left behind clues and coded messages for police to keep guessing and remain on their toes to solve the crimes committed by the zodiac killer.

Timeline

https://projects.sfchronicle.com/2018/zodiac-timeline/

About 37 victims were killed overall based off hints that were left behind by the zodiac killer. The zodiac killer was also blamed for murdering 5 victims in the late 1960's.

According to the F.B.I. (Federal Bureau Investigations), the zodiac killer's code that was sent to The San Francisco Chronicle 51 years ago in 1961, has finally been cracked but his identity is not yet solved or revealed. In the late 1960's, the Zodiac Killer would terrorize the Bay Area.

The killer's image was built as a "attention-seeking killer".

“I hope you are having lots of fun in trying to catch me” “I am not afraid of the gas chamber”

Mr. Oranchak, who ran a Youtube account and a website mainly about the Zodiac Killer’s ciphers had looked forward to solving the code and unsolved mystery after 14 years of trying to break it. He later said he was worried about how it would affect the victims' families.

San Francisco Chronicle, via Associated Press

On Nov. 13, 1969, the coded message known as the 340 cipher was transferred to the F.B.I. for further investigations.

On Dec. 5, 2020, the code was cracked and solved by a cryptologic researcher according to the F.B.I. Although, it was also mentioned that there was help from the public who have propose solutions throughout the 51 years. A statement from the F.B.I San Francisco office.

“The cipher was recently solved by a team of three private citizens.”

This was very interesting news, to find out that it is possible to unsolved crimes to unintentionally get left behind due to not enough evidence. Although this mystery of The Zodiac Killer sounds as if it could be one step closer to revealing the killer..

In 1971, there was even a Triller/Mystery film released, titled "The Zodiac Killer" based off the serial killer. Another film titled "Zodiac" was also released in 2007. This reveals how much of a mystery it has been while solving the identity of the Zodiac Killer.

The unknown serial killer investigations remains ongoing.