The Zodiac Killer's Modus Operandi

Beginning in late 1968, the Zodiac Killer instilled fear in the San Francisco Bay Area through a series of brutal murders and taunting communications with the media. He not only committed heinous acts, such as shooting two teenagers on a date and later attacking a couple in a parked car, but he also endeared himself to the public by sending cryptic letters and threatening messages to newspapers. His MO included detailed descriptions of his crimes that only the killer and police would know, displaying a calculated effort to both sensationalize his image and maintain control over the unfolding narrative. This method of engaging with the public and media made the Zodiac unique and elevated his infamy, setting him apart from other serial killers of the time.