This looks like a good moment for summarizing. I only just recently developed interest in the Zodiac’s identity. I heard Mike on a podcast and looked up this site. Coming in with a fresh perspective, I found it amazing how unlikely most of the POI’s were…but how uncanny things appear with Ross Sullivan. The coincidences seem too many. Like this comparison of Zodiac’s written numbers to that on Ross’ social security card application:
Comparison.jpg
I think Jeff’s communication with the cousin is very telling. If they thought about aiding the investigation but decided not to…I just can’t image them thinking “we could help rule out our family member but we don’t want to.” I do feel for the family. What a strange thing to have to deal with!
As far as Harold being mysterious, I still have questions about Harriet. Why was she not listed (in sexist parenthesis) as Harold’s wife in the Glendale directory? Notice how Prugh’s wife is listed. Why was there nothing in the press about a funeral for her? Or an obituary? I would like to find out where in Glendale she taught. So far, I just have a list of possible schools.
Here are some other thoughts I have:
HOSPITALIZATION
Here’s a Santa Cruz article from April 15, 1969 that I find interesting. It’s about a suicide attempt by an out-patient at Agnew State Hospital. That means that the hospital was treating her but she would not stay there overnight. After the incident, she was taken to General Hospital- the same place the “Riverside man” in the “dazed trance” was taken to ten months earlier. Back in this article, the ironically named John Runner, who ran to get help, was reported to live at 512 Second Street (an address for Ross). I think this article shows that it could be possible that Ross was getting mental health treatment while still having the ability for outside action.
4-15-69 jumper.jpg
THEATER
The Zodiac’s extended references to Mikado hint at a possible theater arts association. Ross’ senior high school yearbook lists “acting (Thespian)” and “Orator’s club” (also theater-related) as activities. There are several documented cases of his acting. It is estimated that Stine picked up Zodiac around 9pm on a Saturday night…from San Francisco’s “theater district.” I have been trying to find out what performances were there that night, but it isn’t easy. There were about half a dozen playhouses within a block or two from where the Zodiac was picked up. I know it was reported that the police investigated actors, but there had to be hundreds of people involved in those productions. The description of the Zodiac costume, with the sewn-on symbol, makes me think it’s possible the Zodiac had access to costuming materials…maybe “backstage.” I would love to be able to look at the cast and crew names in the programs from that night. So far, I have only found a record of a collection in the possession of a SF theater historical society. I would also love to view that student film that Ross was the “star” of.
SIZE
When in high school, Ross was a fit athlete, worthy of mention for his swimming. When he died, he was pronounced extremely obese (and he was possibly in that home due to ambulatory difficulties). The Zodiac killings are in the middle of that time. It’s unknown when his transition took place. To me, he can’t be ruled out because the descriptions of the Zodiac indicate a large man. Often the estimates are qualified with an “at least.” Example: the shoe prints that they estimated were from a suspect “more than 210 pounds.” It seems to me a reasonable hypothesis that Ross became obese while institutionalized. 1974 had correspondence but no more documented crimes. After that, increased weight and correlated mobility issues prevented further Zodiac activity.
RIVERSIDE
Jo Ann Baily’s letter says “you will note from his transcript…” Where did this letter originate? Was there a transcript copy with it? I’d love to read any of his poems, but the mention of the school publication states that he wrote it for the publication; it didn’t say that they published it. Another thing: she later talks about Ross sitting on the low wall that lined the pit when “he was not officially enrolled at RCC.” Not only was he “not around the day after the murder,” but she writes that “it was a few weeks before he reappeared at his spot on the pit wall.” I point this out because it was reported that, due to the struggle, the murderer would have had visible scrape marks, etc. I would love to see that transcript. I also want to find out more about his time at UCSC.
Those are some thoughts I have, just coming in fresh to this. I appreciate all of your guy’s hard work and I hope I can help in some way. But, I will end with some levity: I think the smoking gun would be if we find any butter stains on the letters.
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