Is There a Unabomber / Zodiac Killer Connection?

by Bill Adams

Lately there has been a lot of speculation in the news media about a possible link between the Zodiac Killer, the Unabomber, and Ted Kaczynski. Suspicion of being the unabomber and being convicted of the Unabomber crimes are two different things. If Kaczynski is eventually convicted of any Unabomber crimes he will then be referred to as the Unabomber. Until that time he is only referred to as a suspect in the Unabomber case. Therefore, comparisons with the Zodiac killer will include separate information for the Unabomber and Kaczynski.

This researcher personally believes there are too many known differences between the Zodiac killer, the Unabomber, and Ted Kaczynski for them to all be the same person. However, I am always open to new evidence to the contrary. The following material is made available so the viewer may reach his or her own conclusions on any possible links.

This researcher does believe that the Unabomber may have been directly influenced by the publicity around the Zodiac Killer. The re-surfacing of the Zodiac Killer in may have had a direct influence on the Unabomber's decision to begin his killing spree in May of 1978.

Descriptions

Zodiac Killer

Unabomber

Kaczynski

Height, Weight, & Hair Estimated Description:

220 lbs based on footprint impressions at 1969 murder scene. [Zodiac, pg. 77] Various other descriptions:

1966:

5" 9" to 5' 11". 35 years old. Heavyset.

1969:

5' 8" to 6'. 26 to 38 years old. Heavyset, 175 lbs to 250 lbs.

[Zodiac, pgs. 316-7]

1987 Witness description:

28 years old 5' 10" 165 lbs. Blondish hair.

[Mad Genius, pg. 84]

1987 Police Wanted Bulletin:

25 to 30 years old. 5' 10" to 6'. Blond Hair (reddish tint).

[Mad Genius, pg. 84]

When arrested in 1996:

Born May 22, 1942 in Chicago, IL. Approximately 5'9". 143 lbs.

[San Jose Mercury News, 4/4-5/96]

Time and Place Connections

Zodiac Killer

Unabomber

Kaczynski

1966

Zodiac Kills first victim in Riverside, California in October 1966. [Graysmith, pg. 308] Unknown

1966: University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. [US NEWS & World Report, 4/15/96] December 1966: Fills out application to teach at the University of California at Berkeley. Was Kaczynski visiting perspective California colleges at the time? [KTVU Oakland, CA 5/10/96]

1967 to 1969

Zodiac kills five people and injures two more in the San Francisco Bayarea between December 1968 and October 1969. [Graysmith, pg. 308-309] UnknownTeaches mathematics at the University of California at Berkeley from the Summer of 1967 until the Summer of 1969. [US NEWS & World Report, 4/15/96]

1978

Zodiac sends a letter to the San Francisco Chronicle on April 24, 1978.

[Graysmith, pg. 207; KTVU Oakland, CA 5/10/96] Leaves a booby- trapped parcel in the in the parking lot of the Engineering Department at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus, Chicago, IL. on 5/25/78. This is the first known UNABOM bomb.Teaches mathematics at the University of California at Berkeley from the Summer of 1967 until the Summer of 1969. [US NEWS & World Report, 4/15/96]

Montana Connections

Zodiac Killer

Unabomber

Kaczynski

Zodiac killer tells one victim (September 1969) that he is an escaped convict from Deer Lodge, Montana where he killed a prison guard.

[Graysmith, pg. 68] One Zodiac suspect applied for a new birth certificate in Montana in 1961. It is unknown what other connections this suspect may have had with Montana. [Graysmith, pg. 225]

UnknownPurchases property near Lincoln, Montana in 1971 where he builds a cabin and lives off and on through 1996. [US NEWS & World Report, 4/15/96]

College Connections

Zodiac Killer

Unabomber

Kaczynski

According to Graysmith all known Zodiac victims are students. Even the cab driver.

[KTVU Oakland, CA 5/10/96] At least 9 of the UNABOM victims were connected with colleges.

Graduated from Harvard University 1962. Attended University of Michigan at Ann Arbor 1964 to 1967. Taught mathematics at Berkeley 1967 to 1969.