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Unsolved: The Zodiac Killer Trivia Quiz

The Zodiac Killer preyed on Northern California from 1968-1969, and mocked police well into the 70s. But how much do you know about this elusive madman and his crimes?

A multiple-choice quiz by efw. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
efw

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
299,289

Updated
Apr 01 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1212

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 78 (4/10), Guest 170 (6/10), TriviaTrio235 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where was Zodiac's first confirmed crime? Hint

Lake Herman Road

Lake Berryessa

Blue Rock Springs

San Francisco

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Question 2 of 10

2. On July 4, 1969, Mike Mageau and Darlene Ferrin headed to Blue Rock Springs, a local lovers lane, when they were brutally attacked. Darlene Ferrin died shortly after the shooting, but Mike Mageau survived. He provided police with the first piece of evidence in the case - the car. What color did he say it was? Hint

Black

Brown

Red

Tan

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Shortly after the attack at Blue Rock Springs, the San Francisco Chronicle, along with many other publications, received a letter attached to a cipher, which proved difficult to solve. However, a history teacher and his wife cracked the code. What was NOT said in the letter/cipher? Hint

This is the Zodiac speaking.

Man is the most dangerous game of all.

I like killing people because it is so fun.

This is the murderer of the two teenagers last Christmas at Lake Herman and the girl on the 4th of July.

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. On September 27, 1969, Cecelia Shepard and Bryan Hartnell were enjoying a day out with one another at Lake Berryessa. That is, until a hooded figure came toward them wielding a gun, rope, and knife. After a lengthy conversation with their would-be attacker, the killer turned his rage upon them, stabbing both numerous times. Bryan Hartnell would go on to survive and be one of the few people to interact with Zodiac. Cecelia Shepard was not so lucky. At what time did the attack take place? Hint

8:00 PM

6:30 PM

2:30 PM

11:00 PM

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Lake Berryessa crime scene left more evidence than either of the previous. What was found there that could implicate someone for the crime? Hint

A strand of hair

The murder weapon

A shoe print

Fingerprints

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Question 6 of 10

6. Paul Stine, a San Francisco taxi driver, was Zodiac's final confirmed victim. On October 11, 1969, Stine took a passenger around the city. Four blocks shy of his customer's destination, he was shot in the back of the head. Where were they originally headed? Hint

Washington and Cherry Streets

Washington and Maple Streets

Jackson Street

Mason and Geary Streets

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Originally, police believed Paul Stine's murder to be that of a robbery gone bad. Soon thereafter, the case was directly linked to Zodiac. How did this happen? Hint

Stine's keys were sent to a local newspaper.

A piece of Stine's bloody shirt was sent along with a letter.

Stine's missing glasses were sent to authorities.

He wrote a letter bragging about the crime.

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Over the years, there have been many suspects, but only one has raised the most eyebrows: Arthur Leigh Allen. What ambitious newspaper staffer created the myth that Allen was the Zodiac? Hint

Robert Graysmith

Melvin Belli

Paul Avery

Donald Cheney

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Some 40 years later, suspects are still popping up in this case.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. Lastly, police say Zodiac has claimed five lives. But how many lives did the killer claim to take? Hint

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 19 2024 : Guest 78: 4/10
Apr 19 2024 : Guest 170: 6/10
Apr 14 2024 : TriviaTrio235: 5/10
Apr 13 2024 : boslakantam: 8/10
Apr 08 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 50: 6/10
Mar 11 2024 : Guest 92: 8/10
Mar 07 2024 : Emlah: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where was Zodiac's first confirmed crime?

Answer: Lake Herman Road

Zodiac killed teenagers Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday on December 20, 1968. They were on a date in a lovers lane.

Answer: Brown

Over the years, Mike Mageau's story has changed a few times, saying that the car was both a Chevy Corvair and a Ford Mustang.

Answer: This is the Zodiac speaking.

It was not until Zodiac's second letter that the now infamous phrase, "This is the Zodiac Speaking" emerged.

Answer: 6:30 PM

Not only did Zodiac change his MO from killing at night, but he also wore a bizarre executioner's hood during the crime, and killed in a place that was very public. Many visitors to the park that day saw a mysterious, dark haired man wandering around the site.

5. The Lake Berryessa crime scene left more evidence than either of the previous. What was found there that could implicate someone for the crime?

Answer: A shoe print

The shoe print was identified as a size 10 wing walker, which is commonly found in the military. This, along with his extensive use of ciphers, led police to believe that Zodiac was once a man who served the country.

Answer: Washington and Maple Streets

Washington and Cherry was where the crime took place. Mason and Geary was the original meeting point between Stine and Zodiac. Jackson Street is where policeman Donald Foulke and Eric Zelms patrolled, and saw a suspicious man walking. He was heavyset, had a crew cut, and was overall suspicious. But because the call they got about the Stine case was in connection with a black male, there was no need to stop him. This could have very well been the Zodiac.

7. Originally, police believed Paul Stine's murder to be that of a robbery gone bad. Soon thereafter, the case was directly linked to Zodiac. How did this happen?

Answer: A piece of Stine's bloody shirt was sent along with a letter.

Tests concluded that this was indeed Stine's shirt. Witnesses from an apartment nearby the crime scene saw a stocky white male attending to the crime scene, spending much time in the front passenger seat before moving around the car, wiping it of his fingerprints.

8. Over the years, there have been many suspects, but only one has raised the most eyebrows: Arthur Leigh Allen. What ambitious newspaper staffer created the myth that Allen was the Zodiac?

Answer: Robert Graysmith

Robert Graysmith penned the book, "Zodiac," which would be made into a major motion picture in 2007. Despite all this, his claim that Arthur Leigh Allen is Zodiac has been dismissed by most Zodiac enthusiasts, as well as forensics. In 2002, Arthur Leigh Allen's fingerprints, DNA, and handwriting did not match Zodiac's.

9. Some 40 years later, suspects are still popping up in this case.

Answer: True

Jack the Stepdad and Richard Gaikowski have been two names floating around the community as to who could be the infamous killer. Jack, whose stepson Dennis Kaufman claims he is the killer, was investigated by the FBI and had DNA tests run on him. Those results were inconclusive.

Richard Gaikowski became a suspect more recently, as retired police dispatcher Nancy Slover identified his voice as being the Zodiac's. However, there is no evidence to prove he is the killer, let alone to if he was in the area at the time of the murders.

Both men are now deceased.

10. Lastly, police say Zodiac has claimed five lives. But how many lives did the killer claim to take?

Answer: 37

Zodiac corresponded with police several years after the last killing. He would constantly take credit for crimes that he did not commit, and would end his letter with a tally of all of his victims.

As of his last letter, the tally was: Me - 37. SFPD - 0.

Source: Author efw

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor DakotaNorth before going online.
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