Hello, folks,
I'm an investigator on the Zodiac Killer case from the late 1960's and early 1970's in the San Francisco area. I'm hoping you all might be able to shed some light on an aspect of the case.
The Zodiac Killer is responsible for 5 murders along with several letters and codes sent to newspapers. One of those murders took place on September 27th, 1969 on the shores of Lake Berryessa in the Napa Valley region of northern California. At approximately, 6:30pm that day, two college students were surprised by a man in a mask as they lay on the banks of the lake, tied up, and subsequently stabbed each 6 times. The male student survived his wounds and later offered good eyewitness testimony. The female victim died.
The question I have is in regards to the knife used. Below is the description of the knife as taken word for word from the police report. If possible, could you read the description and see if you can possibly provide some identification of the knife:
"...also stated that he was wearing a knife in a case (on belt) on his right side, near front of trousers. Knife description: Appeared to be a long bread knife, 12" long blade, 3/4" wide, hardwood handle, two brass rivets holding handing in place, cotton surgical tape wrapped approximately 1" around handle of knife. Knife case possibly made of wood."
A couple of notes: first, the knife has been described as both a bread knife, a bayonet, and homemade knife. It also did not have a crossguard. According to the coroner's report, it appeared as if the blade was sharpened on both sides. My uninformed opinion is that a bread knife would be ineffective as a stabbing weapon.
So, while I know there isn't much to go on, any input or information on your part in regards to this detail in this case would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing your thoughts into what knife this might actually be.
I'm an investigator on the Zodiac Killer case from the late 1960's and early 1970's in the San Francisco area. I'm hoping you all might be able to shed some light on an aspect of the case.
The Zodiac Killer is responsible for 5 murders along with several letters and codes sent to newspapers. One of those murders took place on September 27th, 1969 on the shores of Lake Berryessa in the Napa Valley region of northern California. At approximately, 6:30pm that day, two college students were surprised by a man in a mask as they lay on the banks of the lake, tied up, and subsequently stabbed each 6 times. The male student survived his wounds and later offered good eyewitness testimony. The female victim died.
The question I have is in regards to the knife used. Below is the description of the knife as taken word for word from the police report. If possible, could you read the description and see if you can possibly provide some identification of the knife:
"...also stated that he was wearing a knife in a case (on belt) on his right side, near front of trousers. Knife description: Appeared to be a long bread knife, 12" long blade, 3/4" wide, hardwood handle, two brass rivets holding handing in place, cotton surgical tape wrapped approximately 1" around handle of knife. Knife case possibly made of wood."
A couple of notes: first, the knife has been described as both a bread knife, a bayonet, and homemade knife. It also did not have a crossguard. According to the coroner's report, it appeared as if the blade was sharpened on both sides. My uninformed opinion is that a bread knife would be ineffective as a stabbing weapon.
So, while I know there isn't much to go on, any input or information on your part in regards to this detail in this case would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing your thoughts into what knife this might actually be.
