American TikToker claims grandfather was the Zodiac killer

Many people believe that every family has its terrifying secrets. An American TikToker is convinced that his grandfather's secret life led to at least a dozen deaths. Was Richard Hoffman the Zodiac?

When asked about the case they would like to solve, fans of thrillers point to various instances like kidnappings, mysterious disappearances, and unexplained death cases. Some individuals wish to uncover the identities of murderers and rapists who have evaded justice. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, detectives, profilers, and criminologists, some crimes can be deemed perfect. Sometimes, however, the identity of a long-sought person is accidentally discovered.

TikToker J. Fox shared information that surprised even seasoned crime story enthusiasts. He said his grandfather might be the elusive Zodiac, hunted for decades. Fox has recorded five videos, which together have garnered 12,867,600 views. In the recordings, the influencer explains why he believes Richard Hoffman was the notorious serial killer sought across the United States.

Fox highlights distinctive misspellings made both by his grandfather and the Zodiac. Richard Hoffman also resembled composite sketches created with the help of survivors. Additionally, Hoffman was a police officer actively involved in the search for the murderer. A significant point in support of Fox's claim is that one of the victims, moments before her death, said, "Oh my God, it's Richard, he's going to kill us both." These words were echoed by a man who survived the Zodiac's attack. Darlene Ferrin's family received news of her death before the police arrived at the scene. The call was made from a phone booth near the station where Richard Hoffman was on duty. J.Fox adds that his grandfather was hot-headed, explosive, manipulative, and loved mathematical puzzles, much like the Zodiac.

J. Fox also shared a snippet of an interview in which Richard Hoffman commented on the serial killer. Fox found his grandfather's way of speaking at least suspicious. However, these are still just the influencer's speculations, not backed by police expertise.