Arthur Leigh Allen has long been regarded as the leading suspect in the notorious Zodiac killer investigation. With the premiere of a new documentary titled ‘This is the Zodiac Speaking’ on Netflix, there is renewed interest in Allen’s life, including the circumstances surrounding his death.
The true identity of the Zodiac killer continues to elude investigators and remains a significant enigma in the realm of American crime.
From the late 1960s, the Zodiac killer preyed on couples as well as individuals in California, particularly within the San Francisco Bay Area. He infamously sent letters to local newspapers, taunting both authorities and journalists who were covering the unfolding horror, yet he was never apprehended.
The Netflix documentary seeks to provide new insights into this chilling case, highlighting the testimonies from the Seawater family who were acquainted with Allen, and suggesting his deeper connection to the killings.
Arthur Leigh Allen: The Primary Suspect in the Zodiac Killer Investigation
During the time the Zodiac murders occurred, Arthur Leigh Allen was employed as a school teacher and emerged as the top suspect in the investigation.
Law enforcement amassed a significant amount of circumstantial evidence linking him to the killings, including his ownership of a Zodiac Watch, which mirrors the killer’s name. Notably, the vehicle he drove resembled the one associated with the crime scenes, and he owned a typewriter that matched the style of the letters sent by the Zodiac. Additionally, he wore the same shoe size as described in witness statements.
Survivor Michael Mageau identified Allen in a police lineup years later, and another survivor, Bryan Hartnell, expressed familiarity with his voice and physical characteristics.
Friend Don Cheney reported that Allen had made disturbing comments about his intentions to kill couples and referenced plans to target a bus full of children, akin to the perpetrator’s threats in letters sent to the media.
Despite Suspicion, Arthur Was Never Charged
Allen with the Seawater children.
Following Cheney’s report, police interviewed Arthur Leigh Allen in 1971 and conducted searches of his living quarters.
Ultimately, the evidence was insufficient for charges, as both his fingerprints and handwriting failed to correlate with those of the Zodiac. Consequently, Allen was released.
This marked the second instance of police questioning him concerning the murders, as investigators revisited him and searched his property multiple times throughout the years 1970 to 1979.
Arthur Leigh Allen lingered as the only individual publicly named by authorities as a suspect. Investigative author Robert Graysmith repeatedly posited that he was indeed the Zodiac in several of his published works.
Fine-tuning Graysmith’s theories, director David Fincher depicted Allen in the 2007 film Zodiac, where John Carroll Lynch portrayed him.
Apart from the Zodiac case, Allen faced arrest for child molestation in 1974, for which he pled guilty and served time at Atascadero State Hospital. Notably, the infamous Zodiac killings and the accompanying letters ceased during his imprisonment.
Allen’s Persistent Denial of Being the Zodiac Killer
Arthur Leigh Allen consistently refuted claims that he was the Zodiac killer, asserting this firmly to both law enforcement and the media.
In a television interview, he stated, “I have never been known for good luck, and I guess this serves as proof. I could never commit murder.”
The latest Netflix documentary showcases a compilation of video interviews and media coverage that Allen had orchestrated and shared with his friend, Phylis Seawater.
Additionally, Seawater’s children present various letters from Allen in which he references the killings, one notably revealing, “The most dangerous moment was when I almost chose to confess.”
Understanding the Circumstances of Arthur Leigh Allen’s Death
Allen alongside Phylis Seawater.
Arthur Leigh Allen passed away on August 26, 1992, at the age of 58. According to the documentary, he was discovered face-down in his basement with a head hematoma. Subsequent autopsy results indicated that he succumbed to arteriosclerotic heart disease.
In a reflection within the documentary, Robert Graysmith shares, “Interestingly, when he passed away in his basement, the final item found in his possession was a letter to the police. Initially, we thought it might hold significance, but instead, it turned out to be a complaint stating, ‘You guys are simply terrible.’”
In his last letter, Allen asserted: “If this letter is made public, it’s because I’m deceased… I am not the Zodiac killer… the police have it all wrong, and their fabrications won’t alter the truth… I wish the world well, except for the Vallejo Police, to whom I wish nothing but the worst. They deserve it.”
‘This is the Zodiac Speaking’ is currently available for streaming on Netflix, and you can also check here for information on watching the David Fincher film Zodiac.
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