Zodiac Killer: The Identity of the Man Behind 50 Years of Mystery and Terror

Thirty-seven claimed murders from the 1960s that have never been solved, a cold case that has stumped law enforcement for over fifty years, cryptic messages left puzzling the public and media, are all connected to one man. The Zodiac Killer has been infamous in American history and the subject of hundreds of movies, books, and articles. However, is it possible that the identity of the man who perplexed generations, and killed for entertainment was a simple house painter? Could he have been someone similar to your neighbor, or colleague? A non-profit organization, Case Breakers, which includes a team of 40 law enforcement investigators claims that they have solved the identity of the Zodiac Killer. After fifty years, a man by the name of Gary Francis Poste seems to be linked to the crimes.

The Zodiac Killer was a serial killer that was in his prime from the years 1968-1969. He has committed five confirmed murders by law enforcement, however, police suspect that he could be involved in at least five more. The Zodiac sent a multitude of letters to the media taking credit for the crimes, taunting law enforcement, sending threats, and suggesting that in total, he committed thirty-seven murders. He threatened to kill more if his letters were not printed in the media. His letters contained cryptic codes and messages, and some have not been cracked to this day. He gave himself the Zodiac name and created his symbol which was printed on each of his letters, a circle with a cross through it. Suddenly, after his reign of terror and games with the public, he stopped. The Zodiac made no more contact with the media or law enforcement and appeared to vanish.

Fifty years pass filled with stumping mysteries, and the public all taking a chance on investigating it themselves. The case seemed to puzzle both the public and law enforcement. Everyone had a different theory. Some state that it was their neighbor, brother, or even father. The mystery sparked paranoia in families for years. The media ran with the story, and over the years books and movies spilled out rapidly. It wasn’t until this year, in October 2021, where there seems to be a concrete theory, and a connected name - Gary Francis Poste.

Poste was a member of the United States Air Force and lived in many bases around northern California. Eventually, he retired - starting a house painting business in San Francisco, California for around forty years. On paper, Gary’s life seems normal. He had a wife, a son, and a simple job. However, when one digs deeper, disturbing information can be found that helped link him to the crime.

A description of Poste had some eerie similarities to police sketches of the Zodiac Killer, down to a forehead scar. Records also place Poste around each of the crime scenes, but the Case Breakers have attempted to specifically tie him to the murder of Cheri Jo Bates in Riverside, California. He was attending a hospital for a checkup on a gun incident which was fifteen minutes away from the crime scene which places him in the area at the time of the murder. A significant piece of evidence was discovered after the murder which helps link Poste to the crime - a simple military-style watch, with paint splatter. This item could have likely belonged to Gary, a retired military man, who runs a house painting business. Even neighbors and friends said that they suspected Gary to be the Zodiac.

Years after the killings had stopped, Gary was arrested for elder abuse, and assaulting his wife. However, he was found to be mentally incompetent and placed under a mental health conservatorship. This supports the likelihood of the connection between Poste and the Zodiac as he already had violent tendencies, and was mentally unstable.

However, many remain skeptical. Law enforcement has yet to agree with or involve themselves with this theory, and while it is racing across the media, no DNA testing or conclusive evidence has been found. There are several Zodiac Killer researchers and authors who believe that this connection and identity are purely based on circumstance and are not correct. For example, Mike Wakshull, the author of “The End of the Zodiac Mystery” does not believe the claim. He stated in an interview with CNN, “When I read the press release that was sent out, it is all completely circumstantial, and gives no hard evidence.”

Whether or not Poste was the Zodiac, he will never have to face justice for his possible crimes as Poste passed away at eighty years old in 2018 due to disease. Though if Gary Poste was the Zodiac Killer, he was able to mock the public pondering this mystery for years until his death and watch the films that came out about his crimes. Imagine sitting in the movies next to the man who committed the serial murders that are on the big screen. The idea of murder and his crimes would have been glorified in his mind.

However, there is no concrete evidence, only speculation, of the true identity of the Zodiac Killer, and while Poste does have many links to the crimes it wouldn’t be enough to convict him in court or put people's minds at ease. For all the public knows, the Zodiac Killer is still out there, watching the glorification and popularity of his story growing, and mocking us behind the scenes.