Sep 7, 2009 8:47 pm US/Pacific
Gruesome Picture Not Related To Zodiac Killer
FBI Investigation Into Zodiac Suspect Still Ongoing
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
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Photo of Jack Tarrance (left) and a composite of the Zodiac Killer.
CBS
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Dennis Kaufman said this gruesome image was found in his late stepfather's belongings, but an Oregon police department identified the man as the victim of a fall.
CBS
A gruesome picture of a man's body, speculated to be connected to the Zodiac killer, has been identified.
An FBI investigation is underway to determine if Jack Tarrance is the serial killer who terrorized the Bay Area in the 1960s. The investigation has lasted more than a year and is based on evidence gathered by Dennis Kaufman, the stepson of Tarrrance.
Kaufman claims he found several rolls of film in his late stepfather's belongings and developed one roll, finding the image of the man's bloodied body. A tattoo of a peace sign and several letters visible on the man's arm.
The Zodiac had seven known victims with two survivors, but in letters the killer claimed thirty-seven victims.
The picture raised the question: Was the man in the photo a victim of an unsolved murder?
Denise Jones, Dennis Kaufman's half-sister says she was mortified when she saw the photo. Jones identified the man in the photo as Noel Shaw. Her former boyfriend and the father of her daughter. Shaw died in 1997 while the two were dating.
Jones was not satisfied with the police department's conclusion that Shaw died from a fall from a bridge. Under the Freedom of Information Act, Jones obtained the crime scene photos and looked to other avenues to determine if there was another explanation for Shaw's death.
She sent the photos to Kaufman in 2002 after she says he told her he knew law enforcement officials who could look into the death.
Jones is upset the picture is being associated with the Zodiac. Sayes Jones, "Dennis knew it was my boyfriend and daughter's father."
Kaufman acknowledges photos were sent to him, but claims another relative opened the envelope. He denies the photo was among the batch he received in 2002.
I asked Kaufman to clear up the picture's origin. "You claim that picture came from a roll of film in Jack Tarrance belongings.. where did it really come from?" I asked.
Kaufman's response, "Let me specify about the picture, it was a negative."
Kaufman maintains the first time he say the disturbing photo it was in his stepfather's belongings.
Kaufman says the photo of Shaw must have been removed before he was given the envelope. He denies using the photo to try to generate interest in the his case against his stepfather.
"I would have never let you air that picture (on the news) if I had something to hide," Kaufman said.
Jones contacted the FBI to tell them the identity of man in the picture. She was told by the agent in charge of the case that the photo is not a part of the investigation. For Jones', it's been heartbreaking seeing the photo associated with the Zodiac case.
"It's been devastating," says Jones, "I had to identify that same picture when I was pregnant with his daughter."
Jones' biggest fear is that her daughter will see the photo of her father online.
The FBI's investigation into Jack Tarrance is still open and is based on DNA and handwriting.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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