Sep 3, 2008 9:27 pm US/Pacific
FBI Collects Tarrance's Items For DNA Testing
FBI Gathers New Evidence From Out Of State In Zodiac Killer Case
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
An investigation attempting to link a suspect to the Zodiac killer is expanding. The FBI is now collecting evidence from outside of California including the dentures of the suspect in the hopes of finding a DNA link.
"He looked liked a family man with three children. He blended in," Dennis Kaufman says.
Dennis Kaufman claims hiding behind the image of a family man was the perfect cover for his stepfather.
The FBI is currently running DNA tests to link Jack Tarrance to the Zodiac, the psychopathic killer who terrorized the Bay Area in the 1960's and 70's
The murderous spree involved at least seven victims and a series of threatening letters.
The zodiac went silent from 1971 to 1974.
Dennis Kaufmann spent eight years building a circumstantial case against his stepfather he claims even accounts for Zodiac's disappearance.
"We moved to Minnesota then Texas then back here and it started a month later," explains Dennis.
DNA tests are currently being done on letters and envelopes sent from Jack Tarrance.
Dennis also recently turned over additional items to the FBI including a hood he claims he recently discovered.
Dennis believes this is the same hood worn by the Zodiac when he stabbed a young couple at Lake Berryessa.
Jack Tarrance died and was cremated in 2006, posing a problem for gathering DNA to compare to a DNA profile of the Zodiac.
FBI agents in Washington State have now picked up Tarrance's dentures kept by his youngest biological son.
"He (Son) called me this morning and said the dentures have left the building," Dennis says.
The dentures are believed to be a source almost certain to contain Tarrance's DNA.
Dennis says his Zodiac theory has torn his family apart and at times estranged him from his younger brother.
Science may answer this question, is Tarrance's smile hiding the Zodiacs' secret?
Kaufman told CBS13 that he has apologized to his younger brother for some of the grief this may have caused him in the past and now the present.
"I apologized to him for having to do this to his dad. He gave me a hug and said I understand," explained Dennis.
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