SAN FRANCISCO (KRON / AP) – An encrypted letter sent by the Zodiac Killer in 1969 to a newspaper in San Francisco was decoded by a team of amateur investigators from the United States, Australia and Belgium.
The San Francisco FBI Division announced Friday that it is aware of and investigating after the code attributed to the Zodiac Killer was recently resolved by private citizens.
According to code-breaking expert David Oranchak, the code text includes: “I am not afraid of the gas chamber because it will send me to heaven.”
“The Zodiac Keeler has terrorized communities across Northern California, and despite decades gone by, we continue to seek justice for the victims of these brutal crimes,” the FBI tweeted at statement. “Given the ongoing nature of the investigation and respect for the victims and their families, we will not provide further comments at this time.”
Police say at least five people are believed to have been killed by the zodiac, although the killer has claimed at least 37 victims’ lives since 1966 in his letters.
Horoscopes wrote notes, often threatening to kill, in cryptography consisting of a strange series of letters and symbols.
The killer, who had not been previously recognized, signed the letters with a circle divided by a cross. Subsequent messages began, This is the zodiac speaking ″
His last documented letter arrived at the San Francisco Chronicle on January 30, 1974.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
