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SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
The Zodiac Killer attacked at least eight people, terrorizing the Bay
Area and taunting police in the 60's and 70's. The FBI confirmed to
CBS13 on Thursday that they are now running laboratory tests on some
items that may link a suspect to the killer.
Jack Tarrance, the Zodiac 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," said 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," Kaufman said, showing handwriting samples he claims to be his
father's and the Zodiac Killer's, which are strikingly similar. Kaufman
said it's no coincidence.
"The composite is a dead ringer,"
Kaufman said, 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.
Kaufman 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," Kaufman said.
Jack
Tarrance died in 2006. Kaufman said that while going through Tarrance's
belongings, he made some disturbing finds, 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," Kaufman said.
Jack
also left behind rolls of undeveloped film. Kaufman plans to hand over
the film to the FBI. There were numerous gruesome images on a roll he
did develop.
"[It] appeared to be people who were murdered," he explained.
Just
recently, Kaufman remembered his stepfather asking him several times
about an old PA system, which led him 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 said.
The material folded and tucked inside, Kaufman believes, may unmask the zodiac killer.
"It was a black hood with a zodiac on it," Kaufman said.
It's
similar to the hood worn during the vicious 1968 Lake Berryessa attack,
which could be key evidence connecting his stepfather to the killings.
He also believes there are dozens more victims which were never linked
to the Zodiac, including Kaufman's 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," he
said.
The FBI confirmed they are running DNA tests on items that Kaufman gave them.
Kaufman
said there are postage stamps sent to him by his stepfather, and
authorities are trying to get DNA profile of Jack Tarrance to compare
to the Zodiac Killer. The FBI told CBS13 they could get those results
back any day.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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