A new suspect theory connects Marvin Margolis, a World War II veteran, to both the Zodiac and Black Dahlia murders, raising questions about these notorious cold cases. Margolis and the New Theory In a twist that has caught the attention of both law enforcement and the public, Marvin Margolis, a World War II Navy corpsman, has been named a suspect in the Zodiac and Black Dahlia murder cases. This revelation comes from an amateur code-breaker, George L. Baber, who claims to have solved the Zodiac’s Z13 cipher, revealing the name “Marvin Merrill,” an alias used by Margolis. The theory suggests that Margolis, a former USC pre-med student, had the anatomical knowledge necessary for the gruesome murder of Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia. The theory has gained traction due to Margolis’s documented connection to Short, whom he lived with for a brief period before her murder in 1947. Despite initial police clearance, Margolis remained a top suspect in the district attorney’s files. His medical background and the cryptographic link claimed by Baber have added weight to the theory, although law enforcement has not officially closed either case based on these findings. Cryptanalytic Claims Baber’s claim hinges on the alleged deciphering of the Zodiac’s Z13 cipher, which supposedly reveals Margolis’s alias. This cryptanalytic effort was supported by two retired LAPD homicide detectives and former NSA crypto-mathematicians, who back the solution’s methodology. The theory also involves a 1992 sketch by Margolis, which is said to embed the words “ELIZABETH” and “ZODIAC,” interpreted as a deathbed confession. While these elements have sparked widespread interest and debate, they remain speculative without official confirmation. The use of AI in Baber’s cryptanalysis represents a modern approach to tackling these cold cases, enabling the generation and filtering of millions of potential names. However, skepticism remains about the reliability of such methods, and the theory has yet to gain formal acceptance from the authorities or result in any forensic breakthroughs. Public and Law Enforcement Reactions The new theory has reignited public and media interest in the Black Dahlia and Zodiac cases, often considered two of America’s most infamous unsolved mysteries. Retired detectives Rick Jackson and Paul Dostie Roberts have publicly stated their belief in the theory, citing overwhelming circumstantial evidence. However, the lack of a public statement from official law enforcement agencies leaves the cases open, with no definitive closure in sight. As the debate continues, the implications of Margolis’s potential involvement have prompted calls for a review of forensic evidence and case timelines. While the theory remains unofficial, its impact on public perception and cold-case investigations is undeniable, highlighting the enduring intrigue of these historical mysteries. Sources: SF Chronicle: Black Dahlia and Zodiac Killings New Theory Patch: Zodiac Killer Tied to Black Dahlia Murder LA Times: Black Dahlia and Zodiac Killings Connected by One Killer Theory