Zodiac Killer - California Late 1960s-Early 1970s

Reference TimelineLast updated FEB 20
SUMMARY

On January 16, 2026, cold case investigators named Marvin Merrill, a former US Marine who died in 1993, as a new suspect in the Zodiac and Black Dahlia murders after decoding a 1970 Zodiac cipher. As of January 24, 2026, new information, including a classified email from a psychiatric nurse suggesting a patient who committed suicide in 1977 was the Zodiac Killer, continues to emerge. Amateur sleuth Alex Baber also claims to have solved both cases, with an "IMPACT x Nightline" episode exploring his theory scheduled for January 22 on Disney+ and Hulu. The FBI is reportedly reviewing new suspect information, including a theory linking the Zodiac Killer to the Black Dahlia murder and identifying Marvin Margolis as a suspect. Additionally, new analyses explore the Zodiac Killer's ciphers, including a "shifting 9" technique in the 340 cipher and the potential for intentional errors.

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2026

7 updates

The Zodiackiller.com website updated on January 24, 2026, featuring a previously classified email from a psychiatric nurse who believed a patient, who committed suicide in 1977, was the Zodiac Killer. This new information provides details on a potential suspect and a specific lead.

via zodiackiller.com

A new analysis explores how the Zodiac Killer may have intentionally created errors in the 340 cipher. Additionally, the skull of Donna Lass, a woman last seen in 1970 and theorized to be a Zodiac victim, was identified in a 50-year-old cold case.

via zodiacciphers.com·the-independent.com

An upcoming "IMPACT x Nightline" episode, titled "Kill Code: Black Dahlia & Zodiac — Two Cases, One Killer?", will explore amateur sleuth Alex Baber's claim that he has solved both the Zodiac and Black Dahlia cases. The episode is scheduled to stream on January 22 on Disney+ and Hulu.

via disneyfoxtv.com

Cold case investigators have recently named Marvin Merrill, a former US Marine who died in 1993, as a new suspect in the Zodiac and Black Dahlia murders after decoding a 1970 Zodiac cipher. Merrill's family expressed deep skepticism, describing him as a pathological liar and con artist.

via youtube.com

New analysis suggests the Zodiac Killer may have used a 'shifting 9' technique to scramble the 340 cipher. Additionally, research into the Z38 code implies its sender possessed intrinsic knowledge of the 340 cipher's mechanics.

via zodiacciphers.com·zodiacciphers.com

A new book titled 'Zodia Actually' by Eddie McNamera, promising to challenge existing theories, is set for release in March 2026.

via youtube.com

A new analysis of the Zodiac Killer's Halloween card suggests the killer might have identified himself as 'ME' through the words 'PEEK-A-BOO' and 'DOOMED.' This interpretation delves into the killer's potential self-identification through the card's imagery.

via zodiacciphers.com

2025

8 updates

Amateur sleuth Alex Baber claims to have cracked the Zodiac Killer's 13-symbol cipher (Z13) and theorizes that the Zodiac Killer is also responsible for the Black Dahlia murder. This new investigation suggests a single individual committed both infamous cold cases.

via detpress.com·youtube.com·podcasts.apple.com

A team of specialists claims to have identified the Zodiac Killer and linked him to another murder, with the FBI reportedly reviewing new suspect information. Additionally, amateur codebreakers have deciphered a previously unsolved cipher from the Zodiac Killer nearly 50 years after his crimes.

via ladbible.com·cbsnews.com·ladbible.com·foxnews.com

The FBI is reportedly reviewing a new investigation that claims to have solved the Zodiac Killer case by linking it to the Black Dahlia murder and identifying Marvin Margolis as a suspect. This marks an official review of the new theory and suspect.

via ladbible.com

A previously unknown suspect named 'JOOST' has been revealed from the private materials of former San Francisco Chronicle reporter Paul Avery, a name not previously seen in amateur Zodiac investigations.

via zodiackiller.com

The Vallejo Police Department announced that a previously obtained genetic profile, which was being investigated in connection with the Zodiac Killer case, belonged to an individual who has now been definitively ruled out as the killer.

via zodiackiller.com

A Lake Harmony author proposes a new theory identifying a man named Thoresen as the Zodiac Killer, claiming he committed at least 87 murders across 10 states and was never investigated due to FBI embarrassment.

via tnonline.com

Law enforcement and experts are focusing on utilizing modern DNA technology, including genetic genealogy, to re-examine evidence from the Zodiac Killer's letters and crime scenes in hopes of identifying the killer. This ongoing effort represents a distinct investigative approach.

via cuindependent.com·youtube.com·lawyermonthly.com

A mathematician named Samuel Blake has reportedly deciphered the Zodiac Killer's ciphers using advanced algorithms. The deciphered messages are said to contain significant hidden information and have stunned investigators.

via youtube.com

2024

1 update

2023

1 update

A cold case team, The Case Breakers, identified Air Force veteran Gary Francis Poste as the Zodiac Killer, claiming an FBI official confirmed Poste was listed as a suspect in FBI computers since 2016 and that a partial DNA sample exists.

via foxnews.com·patch.com

2021

1 update

A group of investigators claimed to have identified Gary Francis Poste as the Zodiac Killer, presenting evidence including witness claims and scars. However, law enforcement officials, including the FBI, rejected the claim, stating the investigation remains open and unsolved.

via en.wikipedia.org·britannica.com·en.wikipedia.org·sfchronicle.com·youtube.com

2020

1 update

A team of amateur sleuths deciphered a Zodiac Killer cipher sent in 1969, revealing messages from the killer. In 2021, independent cold-case investigators claimed to have identified Gary Francis Poste, an Air Force veteran who died in 2018, as the Zodiac Killer, citing evidence such as shoe size matches and facial features, and alleging Poste confessed to six people.

via Los Angeles Times·FOX 9·The Independent

1974

1 update

1969

5 updates

1968

1 update

Story began · 58 years ago