The Zodiac Murders

The Cheri Jo Bates Murder occurred on the 30th October 1966, Riverside College Library, California . It is of much debate whether this murder was committed by Zodiac, though he did imply he committed the murder in his letter to Law Enforcement & Local Newspapers on Nov 29th 1966 and again on March 5th 1971.

Cheri had left a note for her Father that night to say she had to pick up some books at the Library for her studies. Cheri arrived at the Riverside Library around 6pm and had left by 6.30pm. Cheri had a Volkswagen Beetle and on coming out of the Library she had presumably got into her car as the books were on the passenger seat, the keys were in the ignition but her car had been disabled by her attacker which is when it is thought the crime occurred.

Cheri sustained a vicious attack, being beaten and stabbed several times to the abdomen and neck, kicks and slashes to the face and chest. During the struggle a Timex watch had came off the killer and was found near her body, the watch was traced to a military post, possibly in England. A Heel Print from a Military Style/Prisoner's Boot Size 8 - 10 was also found, Investigators thought they could have been sold at nearby March Air Force Base. The Timex Watch had stopped at 12.24, it is unknown when the exact crime took place but Cheri would have died very quickly.

An interesting note also is that Cheri Jo Bates Father was a machinist at the Corona Naval Ordnance Laboratory, it is possible the Military connection held the clue to her killer.

Joseph J DeAngelo a.k.a The Golden State Killer was home on leave during this attack and it is known from his later EAR/ONS attacks that he would often commit his crimes at Halloween, 4th July, Christmas and New Years. There are also accounts of EAR/ONS survivors witnessing a small pocket knife he would use at times. Being in the Navy Jospeh J DeAngelo could have known his victim or possibly the father as his own father was in the Air Force. I do believe he stalked many of his victims so do see this as a Zodiac/GSK crime.

There are several accounts of EAR/ONS gliding his knife over his victims stomach's and backs as well as threats to cut their throat. Due to the nature of the Golden State Killer, changing his M.O, use of weapons, change in geography, etc he made it more difficult for law enforcement to catch up with him which is why this crime has divided many Investigators I think as to if this is Zodiac.

Cheri Jo Bates managed to grab some of her attackers hair that night, Investigators found the hair in her hand, it was brown. Another clue I feel that this is the same person Zodiac/GSK is that Cheri Jo Bates car had been disabled and possibly moved. If we look at the taxi driver in 1962 we see the use of the car by the killer, he only moves it a few blocks away. The Golden State Killer did this with many of his rape victims, taking their cars only to leave a short distance away. It could be coincidence but I feel this is an aspect of his M.O

There is not a lot known of the time line to this murder, if Cheri left the Library at 6.30pm and came into contact with her attacker you would expect the Timex to read a little differently as it would mean her attacker held her for approx 6 hours, what happened in this time? I have noticed in Photos that the watch taken at the Crime Scene reads 12.20am the second picture of the Watch show's 9.07pm? possilby taken at Police Station, why are there 2 different times?

Below are some documents from the Cheri Jo Bates Case including a Poem which was found on a Desktop in the Riverside Library, it was Titled Sick of Living/Unwilling to Die which is

thought to be by Zodiac. The Confession was received by Law Enforcement and is also attributed to Zodiac.

It has come to my attention in Anne Penn's Book What If? that the hair found in Cheri Jo's hands was checked for D.N.A but there was no match in the Codis System. I am leaving this an open case for the moment as it is known that Joseph James DeAngelo wore wigs and Real Hair Wigs were fashionable in the late 60's/70's so it could be a possibility.

If you get the chance to read Anne Penn's Book What If? I can highly recommend it.