Investigators Say They Have Identified The Zodiac Killer: Gary Francis Poste

A team of 40 detectives, journalists and military intelligence officers claim to have identified the Zodiac Killer, the notoriously elusive serial killer who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s, as Gary Francis Poste, potentially sealing one of the most compelling cold cases of the 20th century. Poste died in 2018.

The team, known as the "Case Breakers," specializes in cold cases, and has previously tackled famous unsolved cases like the D.B. Cooper airplane heist and the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.

Several clues helped the Case Breakers identify Poste as the killer. One key piece of evidence was a photo in Poste's darkroom that showed scarring on his forehead consistent with sketches of the Zodiac Killer. They also found a heel print from a military-style boot, which matched the same style and size of those found in other Zodiac crime scenes and of Poste. Once the team identified Poste as a suspect, they were able to use the letters of his name to decipher the infamous Zodiac Killer anagrams that helped his case become a media sensation in the late 1960s.

"You've got to know Gary's full name in order to decipher these anagrams," said former Army counterintelligence officer Jen Bucholtz. "I just don't think there's any other way anybody would have figured it out."

The Case Breakers also believe Poste was responsible for a sixth murder other than the five he was officially linked to (though he claimed to be responsible for 37 murders). They believe he was responsible for the killing of Cheri Jo Bates in 1966, two years before the first killing officially linked to the Zodiac Killer, though they have found resistance from Riverside Police Department in confirming their belief.

Relatives of Poste have yet to speak to the media, and the San Francisco Police Department have yet to make an official statement about the Case Breakers' case, as the Zodiac Killer case remains an ongoing investigation.

A neighbor of Poste told Fox News that Poste and his wife used to babysit her child, describing him as "controlling and abusive" towards his wife.

"He lived a double life," she said. "As I'm adult thinking back, it all kind of makes sense now. At the time when I was a teenager, I didn't put two and two together until I got older. It hit me full-blown that Gary's the Zodiac."

Of course, as with all things Zodiac Killer-related, social media had one go-to joke.

Cold case team called the Case Breakers says they have confirmed who the Zodiac Killer is.

The only question is – does he get to remain a Senator in Texas? https://t.co/56kOAs4O8O

— KFC (@KFCBarstool) October 6, 2021