Revealed: Investigative Team Believes They've Identified the Zodiac Killer The serial killer's identity has remained a mystery for over 50 years.

By Emily Rella Edited by Amanda Breen

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Bettmann | Getty Images

Perhaps one of the greatest unsolved murder mysteries is that of the identity of the Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who was connected to at least five known murders between 1968 and 1969 in San Francisco.

The killer, who has remained unidentified, became infamous and an almost pop-culture phenomenon for the signature cryptic and coded letters and messages he or she would send to police and press after each killing.

But one cold-case investigative squad claims that over 50 years later, they've uncovered his identity.

The Case Breakers, an independent investigative team made up of former police officers, journalists and military intelligence, have identified the killer as Gary Francis Poste, a man who passed away in 2018.

The team reports that they've uncovered new evidence and photos from Poste's darkroom (without going into specific detail) and cite scars on Poste's forehead that are nearly identical to those on the proposed police sketch of the Zodiac Killer.

Former Army counterintelligence agent Jen Bucholtz also revealed that in one of the killer's coded letters, removing Poste's full name changes the code to reveal an "alternate message."

"You've got to know Gary's full name in order to decipher these anagrams," Bucholtz told Fox News. "I just don't think there's any other way anybody would have figured it out."

The Vallejo Police Department and the FBI had not yet responded to Fox News for comment.

The investigation of the Zodiac Killer still remains ongoing.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

Plant Lovers Are Making $11,000 a Month On This Fully Remote Side Hustle

Do you have a green thumb, an internet connection and some hours to kill? If so, this side hustle could be the perfect way to grow thousands of extra dollars a month.

Side Hustle

These Married Doctors Used ChatGPT to Start a Side Hustle That Has Nothing to Do With Healthcare — and It's on Track to Hit $75,000

Lee Kojanis, 37, and Daniele Orellana, 34, wanted to address a frustrating issue related to a long-time passion.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

How a Love of Chess Led the CEO of Google's DeepMind to a Career in AI — and a Nobel Prize

Before he was a Nobel Prize winner, Demis Hassabis was a chess prodigy.

Business News

An Nvidia Competitor Just Turned Down Meta's $800 Million Offer to Buy It. Here's Why.

The company's CEO is "confident" in its success, even as it competes with giants like Nvidia and AMD.

Leadership

These 9 Subtle Soft Skills Will Make or Break Your Success as a Founder

Here's how founders can become unforgettable by noticing details, connecting with people and showing honest curiosity about others.