TikTok user claims his grandfather was the Zodiac Killer

A California-based TikTok user named J Foy has alleged that his grandfather, Richard Hoffman, was the infamous Zodiac Killer. Foy has shared what he believes to be compelling evidence linking Hoffman to one of the most notorious unsolved mysteries in American history. This sensational story is featured in the new Netflix documentary This is the Zodiac Speaking.

Alleged Resemblance and Evasive Past

Foy presented photos of Hoffman from the time of the Zodiac Killer’s reign of terror in the late 1960s, claiming that the physical resemblance between his grandfather and the Zodiac sketches made by police is striking. He also revealed that Hoffman was a police officer in Vallejo, California, a key location in the Zodiac murders. This fact, according to Foy, could explain how Hoffman might have evaded capture. It has long been speculated that the Zodiac Killer may have had inside knowledge of law enforcement tactics, allowing him to elude authorities.

Foy claims this is not just about appearance. He discovered that internet sleuths had been connecting his grandfather’s name to the Zodiac for years, further fueling his conviction. True crime podcaster Kris Collins has also weighed in, supporting some of Foy’s assertions.

Darlene Ferrin’s Chilling Connection

One of the most disturbing elements of Foy’s claim involves the 1969 murder of Darlene Ferrin, one of the Zodiac’s confirmed victims. Ferrin was known to be dating several men at the time of her death, one of whom was allegedly a Vallejo police officer. Foy speculates that Hoffman could have been this officer. According to Foy, Ferrin was terrified of this man, and on the night she and another victim, Michael Mageau, were shot, Ferrin reportedly exclaimed, “Oh my God, that’s Richard, he’s going to kill us both.” Mageau later confirmed that Ferrin knew the Zodiac, adding another eerie layer to Foy’s narrative.

Zodiac’s Distinctive Quirks

Foy points out several specific quirks shared by both his grandfather and the Zodiac Killer. For instance, Hoffman consistently misspelled the word “until” as “untill,” a mistake also found in the Zodiac’s letters to the police. Moreover, Foy noted that Cheri Jo Bates, a woman believed by some to be the Zodiac’s first victim, had relocated to the Bay Area from Nebraska, just like Hoffman.

Further suspicion arises from Hoffman’s behavior toward Bates. Bates was murdered after her Volkswagen Beetle was sabotaged outside the Riverside College library, a case linked to the Zodiac through forensic evidence. A poem about murder was found at the crime scene with the initials “RH,” Hoffman’s initials, adding a strange coincidence to the mix.

Unsolved Mystery Remains

While Foy’s claims are gripping, they remain speculative. Hoffman denied knowing Ferrin or being involved in any of the Zodiac crimes before his death, but inconsistencies in his statements raise questions. Hoffman admitted he knew Ferrin worked at a restaurant in Vallejo despite previously stating he had never met her.

Adding to the intrigue, Hoffman had a troubling personal history. Foy described his grandfather as controlling, manipulative, and unfaithful, traits that some might associate with the Zodiac’s chilling, cryptic behavior.

Though these claims may never be definitively proven—Hoffman passed away before being questioned—the speculation surrounding Richard Hoffman’s potential role as the Zodiac Killer continues to grow. This is the Zodiac Speaking revisits this chilling case with a fresh lens, combining Foy’s story with decades-old clues to create a gripping narrative that has captivated audiences worldwide.