Over the weekend of March 13th 1971 numerous calls poured into the Dublin Police Department saying they had seen the infamous Zodiac Killer, days before the Zodiac Killer's Los Angeles letter, mailed in Pleasanton, was released into the newspapers. Pleasanton borders the city of Dublin, situated 40 miles (about 50 minutes journey time by car) from San Francisco. Not only were these sightings a considerable distance from San Francisco, from where the Zodiac Killer usually mailed his letters, but these sightings and letter were 4 1/2 months removed from the last Zodiac communication. Therefore, an uptick in sightings of the Zodiac Killer, at a time and location corresponding to the mailing of a Zodiac letter, has to carry some significance.
Just under three years later, on January 29th 1974, the Zodiac Killer yet again deviated from San Francisco by mailing a letter from either San Mateo or Santa Clara County. There is good reason why I would like to focus on the possibility that his "Exorcist" letter was mailed in Santa Clara County, in which San Jose is the county seat and largest city.
The Exorcist letter began in mocking fashion with the writing "I saw + think "The Exorcist" was the best saterical comidy that I have ever seen". The Zodiac Killer's letter was almost certainly a reaction to "The Exorcist" film winning four awards at the Golden Globe ceremony at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 26th 1974, for "Best Film", "Best Director", "Best Supporting Actress" and "Best Screenplay". However, the Zodiac Killer didn't describe the movie as "the best comidy", he described it as "the best saterical comidy", by adding the word "satirical" into the phrase. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, because the Zodiac Killer was equating "The Exorcist" movie with the satirical comedy "The Mikado", which followed on from this introduction (by citing a Tit-Willow verse). Despite the Zodiac Killer likening these two productions through humor, they didn't comfortably sit alongside each other in one communication.
Just under three years later, on January 29th 1974, the Zodiac Killer yet again deviated from San Francisco by mailing a letter from either San Mateo or Santa Clara County. There is good reason why I would like to focus on the possibility that his "Exorcist" letter was mailed in Santa Clara County, in which San Jose is the county seat and largest city.
The Exorcist letter began in mocking fashion with the writing "I saw + think "The Exorcist" was the best saterical comidy that I have ever seen". The Zodiac Killer's letter was almost certainly a reaction to "The Exorcist" film winning four awards at the Golden Globe ceremony at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 26th 1974, for "Best Film", "Best Director", "Best Supporting Actress" and "Best Screenplay". However, the Zodiac Killer didn't describe the movie as "the best comidy", he described it as "the best saterical comidy", by adding the word "satirical" into the phrase. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, because the Zodiac Killer was equating "The Exorcist" movie with the satirical comedy "The Mikado", which followed on from this introduction (by citing a Tit-Willow verse). Despite the Zodiac Killer likening these two productions through humor, they didn't comfortably sit alongside each other in one communication.
Sunday Mercury News, January 13th 1974 What reminded the Zodiac Killer of "The Mikado" theater play 3 1/2 years after he had previously referenced it on July 26th 1970? Especially in a communication that capitalized on the recent release of "The Exorcist" movie on December 26th 1973. Had the Zodiac Killer attended a performance of "The Mikado" or read about one in recent weeks? Enabling him to marry the two productions together.
If he had, I would expect this performance to have taken place in Santa Clara County in January, to have featured prominently in the newspaper to catch the Zodiac's eye, and to have the word "satirical" front and center of the article. The following newspaper cutting is from the "Sunday Mercury News" in San Jose, Santa Clara County, advertising an upcoming production of "The Mikado" in four performances at the San Jose State University Workshop, from January 11th 1974 to January 13th 1974. Did the Zodiac Killer attend this production and mail his "Exorcist" letter from Santa Clara County, with the inserted word "satirical", to unveil his recent movements? Or at the very least, to suggest that he had recently watched the operetta at the San Jose State University? The Zodiac Killer usually composed his letters by utilizing recent newspaper articles, but was this one of them?
If he had, I would expect this performance to have taken place in Santa Clara County in January, to have featured prominently in the newspaper to catch the Zodiac's eye, and to have the word "satirical" front and center of the article. The following newspaper cutting is from the "Sunday Mercury News" in San Jose, Santa Clara County, advertising an upcoming production of "The Mikado" in four performances at the San Jose State University Workshop, from January 11th 1974 to January 13th 1974. Did the Zodiac Killer attend this production and mail his "Exorcist" letter from Santa Clara County, with the inserted word "satirical", to unveil his recent movements? Or at the very least, to suggest that he had recently watched the operetta at the San Jose State University? The Zodiac Killer usually composed his letters by utilizing recent newspaper articles, but was this one of them?
SUNDAY MERCURY NEWS