In the final episode of our Zodiac Killer series, we move beyond the best-known suspects and examine the bigger question at the heart of this case: why has the Zodiac investigation produced so many names, and yet no definitive answer?

This episode covers the remaining major suspects, including Jack Tarrance, Rick Marshall, Ted Kaczynski, David Carpenter, Bruce Davis, Paul Doerr, Kjell Qvale, and Giuseppe Bevilacqua. For each, we look at why they were considered, what evidence or theory linked them to the case, and why none of those theories has led to a confirmed identification.

But this is not just another suspects episode. It is also a deeper look at the Zodiac investigation itself: the fragmented police response across multiple jurisdictions, the missed opportunities, the Paul Stine dispatcher error, the role of Dave Toschi and other investigators, the limitations of eyewitness sketches, the problems with the DNA evidence, and the enduring influence of the Zodiac’s letters and ciphers.

We also examine how modern forensic tools, including touch DNA, next-generation sequencing, and genetic genealogy, may still offer hope — while being honest about the limits of the evidence that remains. The episode explores the 2020 cracking of the Z340 cipher, the unsolved Z13 and Z32 messages, and the reality that the Zodiac case remains open more than half a century later.

Above all, this episode brings the focus back to the confirmed victims: David Faraday, Betty Lou Jensen, Darlene Ferrin, Cecelia Shepard, and Paul Stine. Their lives, not the mythology of the killer, are where this story begins and ends.

This is the final scripted episode in our Zodiac series — a careful, unsensational look at the remaining suspects, the failures and frustrations of the investigation, and the uncomfortable truth that some cases remain unsolved.

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About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

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In this episode, we examine one of the most emotionally powerful and controversial theories ever attached to the Zodiac case: the claim that Earl Van Best Jr was the killer.

At the centre of the story is Gary Stewart, a man abandoned as a baby who spent decades searching for the truth about his biological father. What he found was not peace, but a theory that would become a bestselling book, a major documentary, and one of the most debated suspect narratives in true crime.

We trace the disturbing life of Earl Van Best Jr—from his relationship with 14-year-old Judith Gilford, to his arrest, disappearance, and lonely death in an unmarked grave in Mexico City.

We also revisit the Zodiac murders, the letters, the ciphers, the taunts to police and journalists, and the mystery that still grips investigators more than half a century later.

Then we break down the evidence Gary Stewart presented against his father: the resemblance to the Zodiac sketch, the alleged name hidden in the ciphers, the Paul Avery connection, the claimed fingerprint match, the disputed handwriting evidence, and Van Best’s reported interests in opera, puzzles and codes.

Finally, we examine why so much of that case began to fall apart under scrutiny—and what this story reveals about grief, identity, abandonment, and the human need to make sense of the unbearable.

This is not just a story about whether Earl Van Best Jr was the Zodiac Killer. It is a story about why someone might need him to be.

The Zodiac case remains officially unsolved. No individual has ever been formally identified as the killer.

Zodiac Killer, Earl Van Best Jr, Gary Stewart, Zodiac Killer Suspects, True Crime Podcast, Unsolved Murders, Zodiac Ciphers, Serial Killer Theories, San Francisco Murders, Paul Avery, Cold Case Investigation, True Crime Analysis, The Most Dangerous Animal of All, Zodiac Documentary

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Crime Time Inc, hosts Tom Wood and Simon McLean take a detailed look at Gary Francis Post as a suspect in the Zodiac killer case, continuing their in-depth series on one of America's most enduring unsolved mysteries. Before diving into the main discussion, the pair share some entertaining memories of police life — the Glasgow dairies and Edinburgh bakeries that served as unofficial gathering spots for officers, the camaraderie with A&E nurses at the Western General Hospital on the night shift, and some memorably brutal lines from staff appraisals. It's a warm, unguarded exchange that captures the culture of policing in Scotland during their era, and a reminder that even in a true crime podcast, the human side of the job matters.

The heart of the episode is a rigorous, experience-driven analysis of Post as a Zodiac suspect and the work of the so-called "case breakers" who championed him. Tom and Simon walk through the circumstantial evidence — Post's military background, his time in the San Francisco Bay Area, claimed cipher interpretations spelling out his name, reports of domestic violence, and familiarity with firearms — and systematically weigh each element. Tom, drawing on decades as a senior investigator and his FBI secondment at Quantico, is characteristically measured but skeptical. He notes that firearms familiarity was near-universal among American men of that generation, that access to military PX stores was hardly exclusive, and that the behavioural profile doesn't fit: serial offenders of this type rarely just stop and settle into quiet domestic life. Simon reinforces the point that the evidence supporting Post is almost entirely subjective or speculative, and crucially, that law enforcement investigating the Zodiac case showed no interest in Post — a telling sign given their otherwise fastidious approach to other suspects.

A standout theme of the episode is the concept of elimination in major crime investigation. Tom explains, with the authority of someone who led the World's End murders inquiry and spent years on the Susan Maxwell and Vicky Hamilton cases, that elimination must meet an even higher standard than prosecution — you need to be one hundred per cent certain it is not the suspect. He illustrates this vividly with the Emma Caldwell case, where a suspect initially appeared to have a cast-iron alibi of being in prison, only for investigators to discover he had been released on weekend leave at the time of the murder. The discussion also highlights how DNA evidence, so central to Tom's work on the World's End case — explored fully in his bestselling book *The World's End Murders: The Inside Story* (Ringwood Publishing, 2024) — serves as much to clear the innocent as to convict the guilty. It's a nuanced point that underscores why the Zodiac case, with its degraded and poorly preserved forensic evidence, remains so frustratingly unresolved.

The episode closes on a lighter note, with Tom revealing he saw the Beatles live in Edinburgh in their very early days, and Simon ribbing him about Paul McCartney's stolen left-handed guitar — a nod to Simon's well-known friendship with McCartney dating back to his days as a young officer in Campbeltown. The pair tease future episodes, including a Zodiac series roundup and a possible deep dive into the Emma Caldwell case, giving listeners plenty to look forward to.

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• In this episode, Simon and Tom examine one of the most controversial modern Zodiac Killer suspects: Gary Francis Poste.
• The story begins with a chilling moment—an elderly man, a simple question, and a violent response with a hammer. That moment would later fuel a nationwide media storm and reignite interest in a case that has remained unsolved for over 50 years.
• We break down the claims made by the Case Breakers, a team of former law enforcement and intelligence professionals who publicly named Poste as the Zodiac in 2021.
• Key areas explored in this episode:
• The hammer incident and the credibility of the sole witness
• Poste’s background: Air Force service, cryptography training, and life in the Bay Area during the Zodiac murders
• His move to Groveland, California in 1970—the same year the Zodiac killings stopped
• Allegations of violence, control, and disturbing behaviour reported by neighbours
• The forehead scars and how they compare to the Zodiac composite sketch
• The controversial cipher theory linking Poste’s name to the Zodiac’s coded messages
• The connection to the Cheri Jo Bates murder—and why police dispute it
• Claims of hidden weapons caches and a possible trained group of followers
• The ongoing mystery surrounding DNA evidence—and why it has never been conclusively compared
• We also examine strong criticism from leading Zodiac researchers, including Tom Voigt, and explore whether the Case Breakers’ evidence holds up under scrutiny.
• With no confirmed forensic link—no definitive DNA, fingerprints, or handwriting match—the case against Gary Poste remains entirely circumstantial.
• So why hasn’t law enforcement fully addressed it?
• And what happens when a suspect dies before answers are found?
• The Zodiac case remains officially open.
• And the question still stands:
• Was Gary Francis Poste the Zodiac Killer—or just another name in a long list of suspects?
• 🎙️ This episode sets up our next instalment, where Simon and Tom critically review the Gary Poste theory in detail.

• Zodiac Killer, Gary Francis Poste, Zodiac suspect, Case Breakers, true crime podcast, unsolved murders, serial killers, Cheri Jo Bates, Zodiac ciphers, cold case, forensic investigation, true crime UK, true crime US, criminal psychology, unsolved mysteries

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this review episode, Simon and Tom take a measured look at Richard Gaikowski, one of the most frequently discussed suspects in the Zodiac case. After Alec’s suspect profile, they break down what is genuinely intriguing, what feels overstated, and why Gaikowski remains a suspect many people talk about—but one who is still far from proven.

The discussion focuses on several points that continue to keep Gaikowski in the conversation: his work as a newspaper editor in the Bay Area, his background as an army medic, his reported mental health issues, and the often-mentioned claim that parts of the Zodiac material may contain references to his name. Simon and Tom weigh each of these carefully, separating factual details from interpretations that may rely too heavily on hindsight.

A major theme in this episode is the danger of forcing evidence to fit a suspect. Tom raises concerns about the reliability of the anonymous informant behind some of the claims, and both hosts question how much weight can really be placed on decades-old voice identifications and speculative links drawn from coded messages.

The episode also explores one of the most interesting aspects of the case: timeline gaps. Gaikowski’s stay at Napa State Hospital from 1971 to 1974 is discussed in relation to the absence of Zodiac letters during that period, raising the question of whether those missing years might matter more than they first appear.

Along the way, Simon and Tom also reflect on how historic cases are sometimes solved unexpectedly—through family disclosures, long-buried secrets, or information that only emerges decades later. It is a thoughtful conversation about evidence, probability, and why some suspects can never be fully dismissed, even when the case against them remains inconclusive.

This episode is not about sensational claims. It is about careful review, investigative caution, and asking whether Richard Gaikowski was a serious Zodiac suspect—or another name kept alive by mystery, coincidence, and speculation.

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 
  
• In this episode, we examine one of the most controversial and debated Zodiac Killer suspects — Richard Gaikowski.
• A journalist with ties to San Francisco’s counterculture scene, Gaikowski has long fascinated researchers due to a series of striking coincidences, disputed claims, and lingering questions.
• We break down the full case for and against Gaikowski, separating documented facts from speculation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Gaikowski’s background, military service, and journalism career
• His movements between California and New York during key Zodiac years
• The origins of the theory — and the role of Blaine “Goldcatcher”, the informant who first accused him
• The Darlene Ferrin connection and the Albany timeline overlap
• The controversial “GYKE” cipher claim
• The disputed voice identification by Nancy Slover
• Links to Good Times newspaper and cultural references like The Mikado
• Claims around the Exorcist letter and “Me = 37”
• Physical resemblance to the Zodiac composite sketch

We also examine the critical weaknesses:

• The lack of credible supporting evidence from law enforcement
• The highly questionable reliability of the original source
• The disputed passport and travel alibi
• Handwriting analysis that did not match the Zodiac
• A missed opportunity for fingerprint comparison
• And most importantly —
• no public forensic evidence (DNA, fingerprints, or handwriting) has ever tied Gaikowski to the Zodiac crimes
• This episode takes a balanced, evidence-led approach, asking a key question:
• Is Richard Gaikowski a serious suspect — or a theory built on coincidence and amplification?

Perfect for:

• True crime fans
• Zodiac Killer researchers
• Listeners interested in suspect analysis and investigative breakdowns
• If you enjoy deep-dive true crime analysis, follow the podcast and don’t miss our ongoing Zodiac series.
• 
  

Richard Gaikowski, Zodiac Killer, Zodiac Killer suspects, Zodiac Killer theory, Blaine Blaine Goldcatcher, Zodiac evidence, Darlene Ferrin, Zodiac cipher, GYKE, true crime podcast, unsolved murders, Zodiac case

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.