In recent years, productions based on real events have gained significant popularity. It’s no surprise, then, that Netflix’s library is filled with feature films and documentaries in the true-crime genre. So far, the platform has adapted the stories of infamous murderers like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer. Now, Netflix is set to expand its collection with another chilling story.
The Zodiac Killer Terrorized California for Years
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a series of murders took place around San Francisco. The perpetrator, dubbed "Zodiac" by the media, adopted the name from a Swiss watch company and used its logo to sign letters sent to the press. Investigators concluded that he killed five people, mainly couples. For this reason, he was also called the "Lovers' Killer", though he claimed to have 37 victims.
Was the Zodiac Caught? Investigators Never Proved Who Was Responsible
Over the years, the killer frequently communicated with the media to publicize his crimes. The messages, however, were encrypted, and authorities still struggle to decipher them fully. Despite numerous leads, the Zodiac's identity has remained a mystery for decades. In 2023, a group of investigators known as The Case Breakers, made up of journalists, former military officers, and FBI agents, followed a new lead.
They revealed that Gary Francis Poste, a former U.S. Air Force pilot who had died five years earlier, could be responsible for the killings. This theory was supported by an allegedly decoded message, but law enforcement agencies found the evidence insufficient to definitively link him to the crimes. Numerous theories continue to circulate, and one of these will be explored in Netflix’s latest series.
"This is the Zodiac Speaking". Netflix's Documentary on the Serial Killer: When Is the Premiere?
Some time ago, reports surfaced that a family had contacted investigators, claiming to have undeniable proof of the Zodiac’s identity. According to their account, the murders were committed by a teacher named Arthur Leigh Allen, who passed away in 1992. Allen had indeed been a suspect at one point, but police were unable to gather enough evidence to charge him. This theory will be presented in Netflix’s new series titled "This is the Zodiac Speaking," named after the phrase the killer used in his letters. The series is set to premiere on October 23, 2024.
