The Zodiac Killer: Northern California Investigation
- Victim
- David Faraday, 17
- Location
- California
- Incident date
- December 20, 1968
- Case ID
- UV-000005
Case Overview
A multi-victim investigation covering four widely recognized Zodiac-linked attacks in Northern California from 1968 to 1969. Five people were killed and two survived.
The name "Zodiac Killer" refers to an unidentified individual associated with a series of attacks and communications in Northern California in the late 1960s. Four incidents between December 1968 and October 1969 are widely treated as the core of the historical case. Across these incidents, five people were killed and two survived.
The people killed in these attacks were David Faraday, Betty Lou Jensen, Darlene Ferrin, Cecelia Shepard, and Paul Stine. Michael Mageau and Bryan Hartnell survived attacks. The victims must be remembered as individuals, not treated only as elements of a puzzle.
Letters and cryptograms sent to newspapers helped bring public attention to the case. The FBI's public archive includes correspondence, investigative requests, and historical documents. No internet theory about the killer's identity should be presented as an official finding. Claims of additional victims or attacks must be clearly distinguished from the established core series.
About David Faraday
David Faraday was killed with Betty Lou Jensen near Lake Herman Road on December 20, 1968.
Also known as: David Arthur Faraday
Verified Facts Editor reviewed
Each fact below has been reviewed by an editor and cites at least one source. Community theories and allegations are never shown here.
The established core Zodiac case involves four attacks in Northern California between December 1968 and October 1969; five people were killed and two survived.[4]
FBI records document its forensic and laboratory assistance to California law enforcement agencies in the Zodiac investigation.[3]
FBI records describe the December 1968 double murder and a July 1969 attack in which one person died and another survived.[2]
Timeline
Lake Herman Road double murder[4]
David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen were killed near Lake Herman Road.
Blue Rock Springs attack[4]
An attacker shot Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau around midnight on July 4–5; Ferrin died and Mageau survived.
Lake Berryessa attack[4]
Cecelia Shepard and Bryan Hartnell were attacked at Lake Berryessa. Hartnell survived; Shepard later died.
Paul Stine killed[4]
Taxi driver Paul Stine was killed in San Francisco.
Documents
No public documents have been approved for this case.
Photos & Videos
No photographs or videos have been approved for public display.
Community Discussions
Threaded discussions open in the community release. Posts will be labeled as opinion, question, hypothesis or information so they are never confused with verified facts.
Research Submissions
Community-submitted sources and corrections will appear here after editorial review. Unreviewed submissions are never displayed as facts.
Latest Updates
No verified updates have been published yet.
Sources
- The Zodiac Killer — FBI VaultFederal Bureau of Investigation
- The Zodiac Killer, Part 01 — FBI FileFederal Bureau of Investigation
- The Zodiac Killer, Part 04 — FBI FileFederal Bureau of Investigation
- Zodiac Killer — Victims and SurvivorsPeople
Submit Information
Do you have information about this case? Contact the investigating agency directly — Multiple California law enforcement agencies; historical FBI laboratory assistance. In an emergency, call 911.
A free, confidential tip form and a sourced-correction form for this case are coming in an upcoming release. Please do not post potential evidence publicly.