The Zodiac Killer struck fear into the hearts of Bay Area residents during the late 1960s and is considered one of history’s most infamous unsolved serial murder cases. Despite extensive investigations, law enforcement was never able to secure an arrest, although they did name a prime suspect: Arthur Leigh Allen.
Unfortunately, the evidence against him fell short, leaving the theory unproven. Supporters of this hypothesis point out a curious timeline: Allen was incarcerated for child molestation from 1974 to 1977, a period during which both the killings and the Zodiac’s letters ceased, with the last verified correspondence dating back to 1974.
After Allen’s death in 1992, the enigma surrounding the Zodiac Killer continued to captivate the public. This chilling true crime narrative has been reimagined in a new three-part docuseries on Netflix, titled “This is the Zodiac Speaking,”which delves into interviews with acquaintances of Allen who suspect he played a role in the haunting murders that plagued San Francisco in the 1960s.
When did the Zodiac killings come to an end? Who is Arthur Leigh Allen and what ties does he have to the Zodiac Killer?
The Zodiac Killer was a feared figure in the Bay Area, responsible for at least five confirmed murders between December 1968 and October 1969. This killer taunted authorities and the public alike, sending cryptic letters demanding their publication in local newspapers and threatening further violence if his demands were ignored.
In stark contrast, Arthur Leigh Allen was a well-liked educator, known for his cheerful demeanor. According to reports from Time, a former student named Darin Alvord recalled how Allen taught his class about deciphering codes, leaving no impression of suspicion at the time regarding his potential involvement in the murders.
The Netflix docuseries reveals that during the early 1960s, Arthur Leigh Allen developed a friendship with the Seawater family, often dining with them and going on outings. As an enthusiastic diver, he frequently took the Seawater children on adventures, presenting an image of a caring adult.
What led to the suspicion of Arthur Leigh Allen?
The chain of events began with the tragic deaths of Robert Domingos and Linda Edwards on June 4, 1963, although these incidents weren’t officially tied to the Zodiac Killer. Nevertheless, the Seawater siblings maintained that Allen might have been involved.
Recollections from the Seawater children include an incident where Allen invited them to the beach to watch his diving activities. After briefly disappearing, he returned with discolored hands, raising their suspicions regarding the unsolved double murder.
On October 28, 1966, while David and Connie Seawater spent time with Allen at a Riverside racetrack, David later awoke to find himself groggy in a motel. Shortly thereafter, on October 30, a woman named Cheri Jo Bates was discovered slain, further fueling their belief that Allen had sinister connections to the incident. The Netflix documentary explores these memories in depth, centering on the perspectives of the Seawater siblings.
In an intriguing moment captured in the documentary, Connie Seawater recounts that when she inquired about Allen’s possible connection to the Zodiac murders, he jokingly replied that revealing it would necessitate his killing her. Additionally, he confessed to David in 1992, as his health waned, that he had drugged the Seawater siblings and had inappropriately touched Connie.
Following the death of their mother, the Seawater siblings unearthed numerous letters exchanged between her and Allen, containing veiled confessions that hinted at his potential guilt.
Notably, the Zodiac spate of murders notably ceased following Allen’s 1974 arrest for child molestation, leading many to wonder about the connection. Allen spent three years imprisoned and went on to serve several years of probation until 1982. He passed away on August 26, 1992, at the age of 58.
Discover the complete story in Netflix’s “This is the Zodiac Speaking.”
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