The Lake Berryessa murder site

This is the site where the Zodiac Killer stabbed Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard.

The area is situated on the western side of Lake Berryessa, about three miles north of a small community called Spanish Flat.

The crime took place on a small island connected to Twin Oak Ridge by a sand spit.

Hartnell survived the attack, while Shepard died from her injuries.

Stabbings

On September 27, 1969, the two college students were lying on the northern side of the island and reminiscing when they heard a rustling sound coming from a nearby tree.

Because Hartnell wasn't wearing his glasses, he asked Shepard to check what was happening.

When Shepard turned around, she saw a man standing next to a tree approximately 65 to 75 feet away. He stepped out of sight as she watched him.

A command theory is that he was putting on his disguise and preparing for the attack.

Shortly after, Shepard grabbed Hartnell's arm and shouted, "Oh my God, he has a gun!"

The killer approached the two students holding a pistol and wearing a hooded disguise with a crossed circle on the front.

After assuring them that he was only going to rob them, the man handed Shepard some clothesline and ordered her to tie up Hartnell.

Once Hartnell was bound, he tied up Shepard himself.

While they lay bound on their stomachs, he took out a knife and stabbed them multiple times.

Shepard suffered 10 stab wounds. She fell into a coma and died two days later.

Following the attack, the killer left the crime scene and walked 500 meters up the road, where he drew the crossed-circle symbol on Hartnell's car.

He also listed the dates of the Lake Herman Road and Blue Rock Springs murders.

Phone call

Roughly one hour later, the Zodiac Killer claimed responsibility for the "double murder" in an anonymous phone call to the Napa County Sheriff's Office. During the call, he described the make and model of Hartnell's vehicle.

This was not his first time communicating with the authorities. After the Blue Rock Springs shooting, he contacted the police from a pay phone in central Vallejo.

The island

The island later became a gathering place for true crime fans on the anniversary of the attack.

Before social media, this was one of the few ways they could discuss the case and share theories about the identity of the Zodiac Killer.

Movie portrayal

The stabbing is dramatized during a scene in the film Zodiac (2007).

The killer's disguise in the movie is largely accurate.

To recreate the murder site, the director flew in trees and foliage by helicopter.