Can you help identify these recently discovered 1960s stalking photos of Zodiac Killer victims?

[Axiomatikos]

Nearly 1000 stalking photos were recently uncovered and in this 1960s collection are numerous photos of Zodiac Killer victims (most taken secretly) which should be seen by as many people as possible to assist in the positive identification. LE has already confirmed some of these as being Zodiac killer victims. There are many more photos of possible victims to be identified. I will keep posting photos to be identified. Let me know if your conclusion is 100% positive, 100% negative, or 90% positive match (for example). JJ of Another Bundy Blog is 90% sure the Cheri Jo Bates photo (with friends) IS Cheri Jo.

 

[jackornaught]

Can you give a little bit of a backstory here?

What law enforcement agency has confirmed these are pictures of Zodiac victims? Do you have any additional information on how these photographs were obtained, and when? I only see one photo, is there more?

 

[Axiomatikos]

Can you give a little bit of a backstory here?

What law enforcement agency has confirmed these are pictures of Zodiac victims? Do you have any additional information on how these photographs were obtained, and when? I only see one photo, is there more?

The collection was purchased in 1987 at a San Jose antique camera fair. I have posted other photos of potential victims, along with handwriting comparisons. The Sheriff's Office is the LE Agency which confirmed one of the victims, this was Aug. 2024. The Ca DOJ also confirmed that the handwriting was a close enough match to consider the photographer as possibly being the Zodiac killer. This determination was Aug. 2025. I have made 20 posts (home page) and plenty more to come. I just joined websleuths, so not sure best way to get things seen. The research of exactly who the photographer was started in Sept. 2022. I have been working with dozens of LE Agencies, including in other states, as the killing spree was far more extensive than anyone ever imagined. This image is the full frame, lightened so faces are clearer.

 

[tricia]

Nearly 1000 stalking photos were recently uncovered and in this 1960s collection are numerous photos of Zodiac Killer victims (most taken secretly) which should be seen by as many people as possible to assist in the positive identification. LE has already confirmed some of these as being Zodiac killer victims. There are many more photos of possible victims to be identified. I will keep posting photos to be identified. Let me know if your conclusion is 100% positive, 100% negative, or 90% positive match (for example). JJ of Another Bundy Blog is 90% sure the Cheri Jo Bates photo (with friends) IS Cheri Jo.

Hi Axiomatikos.
Welcome to Websleuths. We have a rule that any picture you post or if you post factual information you must provide the link that shows where the info/picture came from.
Can you please provide the link for this photo?
Thank you.
Tricia Griffith
Manager/Websleuths.com

 

[doranchak]

I recall seeing these on Zodiac's Camera

It's full of huge unsubstantiated claims, and a $59 book.

 

[Axiomatikos]

In response to tricia, manager, the photo evidence and the handwriting evidence comes from the actual photos, which were purchased almost 40 years ago by myself (at the San Jose Antique Camera Fair). I am the one who uncovered the evidence. The imagery here comes directly from the actual evidence, no where else. This is a treasure trove of photo evidence. The Zodiac killer puzzle is solved. The purpose here is to identify more of the victims, from this collection. The only way to do that is show them to the public. LE has already confirmed some of the photos, however, just like with the Rodney Alcala case (Dating Game Killer), the police had to release all of the 1000s of photos found (owned by Rodney) to the public so as to assist in the investigation. Some of the other possible victims found in this collection were killed by the Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Killer. Those need to be IDed by the public also. In brief, I am the one who rescued the evidence from certainly being thrown away, and now the aim is exposing just who this psycho serial killer was, but further identification of victims is an ongoing part of a 3 year investigation. Other avenues are being now pursued which will reveal this story. Evidence solves cases, not theories. I am providing the evidence here for all to see. If you want to see a photo of me holding the actual photos, that can be provided, to both prove they are real and to prove they are not AI, as some in the TAPOUT community have suggested.

 

[Axiomatikos]

I recall seeing these on Zodiac's Camera

It's full of huge unsubstantiated claims, and a $59 book.

In response to DoranChak, you claim the book is full of "unsubstantiated" claims, which of course is a Theory, as apparently you have never read the book. Also since I have over 20 posts here, providing visual evidence, then you are Theorizing the handwriting (of the photographer) does NOT match the Zodiac's handwriting, which again is a Theory, as anyone with eyes can see the very close resemblance, in all cases of HW comparisons. And since you state my claims are unsubstantiated, you have apparently not noticed that I am not making claims on here, I am providing evidence, not claims, or theories. Also, this stance you have taken means you are again Theorizing the photos I have provided do not resemble/match the known photos of Cecelia Shepard and Cheri Jo Bates, however, anyone with eyes can see the close resemblance in both cases. LE has confirmed some of these photos and JJ of Another Bundy Blog is 90% sure the image of Cheri Jo is in fact, Cheri Jo. So again, good luck with all your theories.

 

[SilentHill]

LE has confirmed some of these photos and JJ of Another Bundy Blog is 90% sure the image of Cheri Jo is in fact, Cheri Jo. So again, good luck with all your theories.

Which LE confirmed which photos? If you know for certain who the pictures are of then why are you asking for assistance in identifying them?

 

[Axiomatikos]

Just FYI, LE does not share info, as everyone knows. Some of the photos ARE identified, via LE, however, most are not positively identified. I would prefer to get more of the victims identified, rather than wait for LE. Independent verification. I just posted a photo of SRHH victim Yvonne Weber, for identification. After this many years, it's very difficult to find family members, or close friends who can identify positively the photos, esp. given the fact there is typically 1 single fuzzy photo of each of the SRHH victims. That's why I will be posting at least 8 possible victim's photos, with Cheri Jo being the one IDed so far. There are 2 Zodiac victims and 6 Santa Rosa Hitchhiker victims to be IDed. The public and websleuths and family members are more motivated than LE, if you did not notice. Other means to independently verify further victims are being pursued. The LE agencies I have assisted so far are numerous, but here are a few, SFPD, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, Hayward PD, Riverside PD, Riverside DA's Office, Riverside Cold Case Unit, Sacramento Cold Case Unit, Chicago PD Cold Case Unit, Ohio BCI, SF Cold Case Task Force, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, Santa Rosa PD and more (all in regards to this serial killer). Recall, Riverside PD kidnapped the Cheri Jo Bates diary, and for 60 years has refused to allow anyone to know the contents, even after 60 years of failure.

 

[MesquiteO21]

The collection was purchased in 1987 at a San Jose antique camera fair. I have posted other photos of potential victims, along with handwriting comparisons. The Sheriff's Office is the LE Agency which confirmed one of the victims, this was Aug. 2024. The Ca DOJ also confirmed that the handwriting was a close enough match to consider the photographer as possibly being the Zodiac killer. This determination was Aug. 2025. I have made 20 posts (home page) and plenty more to come. I just joined websleuths, so not sure best way to get things seen. The research of exactly who the photographer was started in Sept. 2022. I have been working with dozens of LE Agencies, including in other states, as the killing spree was far more extensive than anyone ever imagined. This image is the full frame, lightened so faces are clearer. View attachment 637106

I’m confused…if these pictures were obtained in 1987 why did it take until 2022 to think they could be Zodiac victims?

And maybe I missed it but what was his name? (Oakland surgeon who is apparently is the zodiac killer)

moo

 

[tricia]

Hi Axiomatikos​

Welcome to Websleuths. My name is Tricia Griffith. I am the manager of Websleuths. Could you please email me at [email protected] when you get a chance?​

Thank you.​

Tricia​

 

[Axiomatikos]

Just FYI, I am the author of "Zodiac's Camera: Discovery of Secret Stalking Photos Solves the Zodiac's 7 Decade Long Reign of Terror", 736 pages, published 2025. I wasn't going to mention this, but Oranchak already has mentioned this. Even though I conducted a 2.5 year investigation and included all facets of the investigation in the book, I have continued the investigation, which has led to more surprising results and finds, including finding an actual photo of the Zodiac Killer (his dad was a coroner) himself, who even in HS, was quoted as thinking about getting away with murder. Originally I thought I had merely solved the Zodiac serial killer case, but finding a 1963 photo of a human skull in the collection, led to a massive back-engineering of his life and associated murders. The Zodiac claimed 100+ murders, and the evidence uncovered reveals that number is on the very low end of total victims murdered. Many cold cases will be now solved going back decades. LE and any serious researcher has always known, since at least 1966, that the Zodiac was TWO people, and my investigation has revealed for the "Zodiac" murders, he worked as a team of 2 (or more). Photo attached (1966, Lake Temescal)(same photographer) is of the Zodiac's accomplice, the one thought to be the Zodiac (who was seen in the infamous sketch, whose profile matches the known profile of the Zodiac), however, this person, seen stalking Cheri Jo (possibly) and a girl in a blue bikini, was merely the hitman, the one taking the photo was the actual Zodiac mastermind. Notice the clip on shades, as described by Bryan Hartnell. The Zodiac mastermind took a series of 10 secret photos of these 2 girls, in early 1966. If Cheri Jo's diary is ever released, I'm sure she mentions this psycho stalker.

 

[Axiomatikos]

I’m confused…if these pictures were obtained in 1987 why did it take until 2022 to think they could be Zodiac victims?

And maybe I missed it but what was his name? (Oakland surgeon who is apparently is the zodiac killer)

moo

No LE Agency, and no amateur sleuth, nor reporter, nor anyone else ever suggested the Zodiac killer was a photographer documenting his activities...so that's why I had no clue about these photos until 2022. Sept. 2022 is when the investigation began, based on a new timeline supplied (by author & musician Ed Sanders), relative to the Zodiac's activities, which matched the timeline of these photos. As for the Zodiac being a surgeon, re-read the 1966 Confession letter, he clues everyone in on his profession, and also clues everyone in on one of his infamous previous murders. Hint, distance between crime scenes was 62 miles. He also clues everyone in on how many people assisted in the murder of CJBates. The mantra FIND THE CAMERA, FIND THE KILLER, used by a TV true crime show, well, that's exactly what happened here, the camera images were found. His name, James Bentley Kaess M.D. (Zodiac mastermind), along with an accomplice (Zodiac hitman)(10 years younger), seen in photo. Both passed away, Zodiac mastermind 1992?(not confirmed) and Zodiac hitman (1991)(confirmed).

 

[MesquiteO21]

No LE Agency, and no amateur sleuth, nor reporter, nor anyone else ever suggested the Zodiac killer was a photographer documenting his activities...so that's why I had no clue about these photos until 2022. Sept. 2022 is when the investigation began, based on a new timeline supplied (by author & musician Ed Sanders), relative to the Zodiac's activities, which matched the timeline of these photos. As for the Zodiac being a surgeon, re-read the 1966 Confession letter, he clues everyone in on his profession, and also clues everyone in on one of his infamous previous murders. Hint, distance between crime scenes was 62 miles. He also clues everyone in on how many people assisted in the murder of CJBates. The mantra FIND THE CAMERA, FIND THE KILLER, used by a TV true crime show, well, that's exactly what happened here, the camera images were found. His name, James Bentley Kaess M.D. (Zodiac mastermind), along with an accomplice (Zodiac hitman)(10 years younger), seen in photo. Both passed away, Zodiac mastermind 1992?(not confirmed) and Zodiac hitman (1991)(confirmed).

Thanks for answering, appreciate it. Definitely not discounting this at all, I’ll do more reading on everything

moo