Zodiac Killer's Identity And Weapon Uncovered?
Local Man: Zodiac Killer Was My Stepfather
Reporting
Kris Pickel
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ― The Zodiac Killer attacked at least eight people, terrorizing the Bay Area and taunting police in the 60's and 70's. Thursday, the FBI confirmed to CBS13 they are now running laboratory tests on some items that may link a suspect to the killer.
The evidence was given to the FBI by a Pollock Pines man who also claims he recently found the disguise worn by the Zodiac Killer during one of his attacks.
"The identity of the Zodiac Killer is Jack Tarrance. He's my stepfather," says Dennis Kaufman.
Eight years of Dennis Kaufman's life has been consumed with attempting to prove the only father he's known since he was five-years-old is none other than the Zodiac Killer.
"This a handwriting comparison I did," says Kaufman, showing handwriting samples claiming to be his father's and the Zodiac Killer's, which bear a striking similarity. Similarities Dennis says are no coincidence.
"The composite is a dead ringer," says Kaufman, showing composite sketch of the killer next to his stepfather's -- a resemblance that is undeniable between pictures of Jack Tarrance and descriptions of the zodiac.
Dennis also claims his stepfather, in a taped phone conversation, indirectly admitted being the zodiac killer.
"If I wrote a book and said I think my stepfather is the Zodiac Killer they wouldn't believe me," says Kaufman.
Jack Tarrance died in 2006. Dennis claims that while going through Tarrance's belongings, there were disturbing findings including a knife still covered with what could possibly be dried blood.
"It could be a knife he barbecued with or a knife he murdered someone with," says Kaufman.
Jack also left behind rolls of undeveloped film. Dennis plans to hand over the film to the FBI. On one of the rolls Dennis did develop, there were numerous gruesome images.
"Appeared to be people who were murdered," explains Dennis.
Just recently, Dennis remembered his stepfather asking him several times about the old PA system which led Dennis to take it apart.
"When I first opened it up that did affect me. My heart skipped a couple of beats when I saw it," he says.
The material folded and tucked inside, Dennis believes, may unmask the zodiac killer.
"It was a black hood with a zodiac on it," Dennis explains.
Dennis holds up a black hood with the zodiac sign on it. It's similar to the hood worn during the vicious 1968 Lake Berryessa attack, which is the possible key evidence connecting his stepfather to the killings. He also believes there are dozens more victims which were never linked to the Zodiac, including Dennis' own mother who, he claims, was suffocated.
"She sat there and told me Jack was trying to kill her and I didn't listen. I can only imagine how she felt. Imagine how scary that would be. That is what kept me going this whole time," says Dennis.
The FBI confirmed they are running DNA tests on items that Dennis gave them.
Dennis says there are postage stamps sent to him by his stepfather. Authorities are trying to get DNA profile of Jack Tarrance to compare to A DNA profile of the Zodiac Killer. The FBI told CBS13 they could get those results back any day.
