The Zodiac Killer is an unidentified serial killer who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He is definitively linked to five confirmed murders, with authorities suspecting he may have committed additional killings. The Zodiac gained notoriety by sending taunting letters to newspapers and police, which included cryptic ciphers and details about his crimes that only the killer and law enforcement would know. His symbol was a circle with a cross inside, resembling a zodiac sign. Despite extensive investigations and numerous suspects over the decades, including Arthur Leigh Allen, Ted Kaczynski, and Charles Manson, the true identity of the Zodiac Killer remains unknown
. The confirmed victims include young couples attacked in secluded areas and a taxi driver killed in San Francisco. The killer's methods evolved from shootings to brutal stabbings. He also made phone calls to police to claim responsibility for his crimes. The case has inspired many books and films, notably the 2007 movie "Zodiac"
. Arthur Leigh Allen is considered the most likely suspect by many investigators. He was a former elementary school teacher and convicted sex offender who was linked circumstantially to the crimes but never definitively proven to be the Zodiac. Allen died in 1992
. Despite advances such as the partial solving of some of the Zodiac’s ciphers, the case remains officially unsolved and open in several jurisdictions, continuing to puzzle investigators and true crime enthusiasts alike
