Episode
Zodiac Killer Suspect Arthur Leigh Allen: The Evidence, the Doubts & the Unanswered Questions | Episode 10
- Podcast
- Crime Time Inc
- Published
- Mar 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2305
- Processing state
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- https://shows.acast.com/crime-time-inc/episodes/zodiac-killer-suspect-arthur-leigh-allen-the-evidence-the-do
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Summary
In this episode, we review the case made against Arthur Leigh Allen , the man long considered by many to be the leading suspect in the Zodiac Killer investigation. Tom and Simon break down the strongest points pointing toward Allen, including his proximity to key crime scenes, his familiarity with coded messages, witness identification, shoe size, violent behaviour, and the disturbing testimony that he taught children how to create and decipher codes. But this episode also focuses on the evidence that muddies the picture. The discussion explores the disputed fingerprint and palm print evidence, the limits of the handwriting analysis, the problems with partial DNA from the Zodiac letters, and how easily investigators can become locked onto one suspect while dismissing contradictions. The conversation also looks at Allen’s background in the US Navy , his psychiatric history, his conviction for offences against a child, and the importance of building a proper timeline around his movements, incarceration, communications, and behaviour. Tom raises key investigative questions: What exactly was Allen treated for psychiatrically, and when? What did he actually do during his Navy service? Why were some potentially incriminating items found, but no firearms, ammunition, or clear cryptographic material? Was too much weight placed on forensic evidence that may have been contaminated, incomplete, or misunderstood? The episode also examines the role of Don Cheney , asking whether he should have been treated more seriously as a suspect or at least as a critical line of inquiry. This is a detailed look at how cold case reviews should be approached: start at the beginning, separate fact from theory, revisit early witness statements, and resist the temptation to force the evidence to fi…