Ross Sullivan remains one of the most debated and mysterious suspects in the Zodiac Killer case. In this episode, we explore the evidence linking Sullivan to both the infamous Zodiac murders and the earlier 1966 killing of Cheri Jo Bates at Riverside City College.

Sullivan, a library assistant at RCC, was present on campus at the time of Bates’ murder and later drew suspicion from co-workers who described him as unsettling and potentially dangerous. His sudden disappearance following the killing, combined with a change in appearance, raised further questions.

We break down the key elements of the case:

• The Cheri Jo Bates murder and its possible connection to Zodiac
• Witness accounts and co-worker suspicions
• The disturbing “desktop poem” and its alleged link to Zodiac writings
• Sullivan’s interest in cryptography and handwriting disguise
• Physical similarities to the Zodiac composite sketch
• The controversial Mikado connection
• Conflicting alibi claims and institutionalisation records

But the case against Sullivan is far from airtight. We also examine the major weaknesses:

• A significant height discrepancy with eyewitness descriptions
• Fingerprints that reportedly did not match crime scene evidence
• Claims of hospitalisation during key Zodiac attacks
• The lack of formal investigation by law enforcement

Expert Review: Simon & Tom Analyse the Evidence

• Former investigators Simon and Tom provide a critical breakdown of the Sullivan theory, questioning whether modern researchers may now have a broader view of the case than original investigators ever did.
• They raise important questions about Sullivan’s mental health history, including what may have triggered his diagnoses and whether this is relevant to assessing his potential for violence.
• The discussion challenges a common assumption: that Sullivan’s cremation prevents DNA analysis. Tom explains how familial DNA could still be used to eliminate or potentially link him through relatives.
• However, both experts stress a key limitation—existing Zodiac DNA samples may not be reliable enough for definitive identification, meaning DNA may be more useful for elimination than confirmation.
• They also highlight the importance of forensic integrity, noting that any evidence must have a clear chain of custody to stand up in court.
• The height discrepancy is debated, with Simon viewing it as a major issue, while Tom argues eyewitness estimates—especially at night—are often unreliable.
• Crucially, Tom warns against “linking assumptions”—building a case on the idea that Bates is a Zodiac victim, then linking Sullivan to Bates, which compounds uncertainty.
• Both agree that much of the suspicion around Sullivan originates from co-workers rather than law enforcement, raising questions about how seriously he was ever investigated.
• The conclusion: Sullivan is an intriguing suspect with some compelling overlaps—but the case remains circumstantial and far from proven.

With no confirmed DNA and conflicting evidence, the question remains open: was Ross Sullivan a viable suspect overlooked by police—or another compelling but ultimately flawed theory?

In the next episode, we turn to another major Zodiac suspect: Lawrence Kane.

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Old Firm Disorder, Glasgow Fire, and Lessons from Huntley: Policing, Enforcement, and True Crime Insights

In a wide-ranging chat, Simon and former senior Scottish police officer Tom Wood discuss Tom’s new book-editing process and then focus on recent disorder around the Rangers–Celtic Old Firm match, arguing sectarian hatred still simmers and questioning reduced police presence, reliance on stewards, and proposals to reintroduce alcohol at stadiums. They link football violence, gate-crashing, and disguised fans to broader issues of enforcement, funding cuts, and lost “organisational memory.” The conversation shifts to a major Glasgow city-centre fire at an iconic corner, suggesting existing regulations are adequate but under-enforced due to hollowed-out local authorities and reduced inspection capacity, with concern about vape shops and illicit activity. They reflect on the Soham murders by Ian Huntley and the Bichard Inquiry’s lessons on intelligence-sharing failures, compare offender secrecy to Angus Sinclair, note a new near-miss account related to Robert Black, and briefly preview London’s policing challenge after banning the Al Quds march.

00:00 Book Editing Grind

00:44 Old Firm Violence Returns

01:45 Policing vs Stewarding

03:59 Alcohol Ban Debate

07:52 Sectarianism and Rivalry

11:49 Away Fans and Hooliganism

14:51 Pickpockets at Matches

16:46 Glasgow Fire and Neglect

20:36 Vape Shops and Drug Parallels

23:30 Smoking Ban Lessons

23:49 Smoking Ban Success

24:52 Vape Shop Fire Questions

25:16 Enforcement Over New Laws

26:34 Policing Vape Shops

27:24 Pawn Shops and Beat Cops

28:09 Madam Doubtfire Origins

29:08 Glasgow Fair and Pawnbroking

30:44 Soham Murders Lessons

32:59 Killers Keeping Secrets

36:27 Near Misses and Intel Logs

40:10 Patterns in Minor Incidents

41:37 Covering for Offenders

42:29 Banning Marches in London

46:42 Rugby and Sign Off

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 fit the favourite suspect.

If you are fascinated by the Zodiac case, suspect profiling, forensic ambiguity, and the psychology of major investigations, this is an essential listen.

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 9 of The Zodiac Killer series focuses entirely on Arthur Leigh Allen — the man law enforcement pursued for decades and the only suspect ever publicly named in the case.

From Donald Cheney’s explosive 1971 account to Michael Mageau’s later identification, Allen’s case is packed with disturbing coincidences, alleged admissions, and behavior investigators found impossible to ignore.

We break down the full timeline: Allen’s background in Vallejo, his reported pre-crime statements, the Zodiac Sea Wolf watch, the Lake Berryessa alibi, the search warrants, the pipe bombs, and the claims made in Netflix’s 2024 documentary This Is the Zodiac Speaking.

But this episode also examines the other side of the case: the fingerprints that did not match, the handwriting experts who excluded him, the partial DNA that failed to connect him, and why he was never charged.

Was Arthur Leigh Allen the Zodiac Killer — or the most compelling wrong suspect in true crime history?

00:00 Prime Suspect Setup

01:43 Allen Early Life

04:24 Grievances And Red Flags

05:54 Cheney Bombshell Tip

07:00 Lovers Lane Details

11:54 Credibility And DNA Wrinkle

15:10 First Police Interview

16:26 Watch Alibi And Knives

19:33 Handwriting Excludes Allen

20:43 Search Warrant And Arrest

22:51 Spinelli Names Allen

25:27 1991 Search And Bombs

27:48 Blue Rock Springs Revisited

28:58 Mageau Photo Lineup

30:55 Voice Witness Limits

32:28 Allen Dies and Search

33:14 DNA and Handwriting Tests

35:52 Forensic Caveats Explained

37:01 Netflix Seawater Claims

40:49 Beach and Riverside Trips

44:35 Confession Accounts Weighed

46:19 Case For and Against

53:20 Why Allen Endures

56:53 Final Question and Next

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Knife Crime Rumours, Sub Judice Rules, and Scotland’s Violence Reduction Success

Simon and Tom discuss a daylight knife incident in Edinburgh’s Calders that sparked widespread online misinformation, prompting Police Scotland to issue rare clarifications while constrained by sub judice rules; Tom explains how the Contempt of Court Act and Lord Advocate’s guidelines limit pretrial commentary to protect fair trials. They compare “perp walk” publicity with Scottish practice, including WWII-era German spy arrests in Scotland where press photos prevented the suspects being turned into double agents and led to executions. The conversation turns to emergency-service responses to knife incidents and the balance between waiting for specialist support and the duty to protect life. They cover Ian Huntley’s prison assault and how the Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman murders exposed failures in intelligence-sharing about dangerous offenders. Tom highlights the Violence Reduction Unit’s 20-year impact, noting murders fell from 137 in 2005 to 47, and argues its public-health approach could inform drug policy amid rising lethal synthetics. They also touch on citizen’s arrest/self-defence, skepticism about “international law,” and football-related disorder.

00:00 Cold Open Banter

00:16 Edinburgh Knife Incident

01:36 Misinformation And Police Response

02:58 Sub Judice Explained

05:14 Perp Walk And Spy Photos

09:07 Emergency Services And Risk

14:53 Ian Huntley Case Lessons

18:42 Violence Reduction Unit Success

23:22 Drug Laws And Public Health

26:26 Root Causes Not Choices

26:42 Football As Diversion

29:03 Community Clubs Origins

30:14 Boxing And Discipline

33:37 PR Spin And Distractions

35:39 VRU Principles And Praise

37:44 Vigilantes And Self Defence

40:20 International Law Skepticism

46:19 Peaky Blinders And Gang Lore

49:00 Old Firm Songs And Policing

51:48 Wrap Up And Next Topics

Episodes referred to in this show.

Sheila Anderson Season 1 Episodes 27/28

https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/sheila-anderson-unsolved-leith-s-heroin-turning-point-part-1

https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/sheila-anderson-unsolved-leith-s-heroin-turning-point

The Expendables (The Beautiful Spy) Season 1 Episodes 25/26

https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/the-expendables-1

https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/the-expendables-2

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Crime Time Inc., Tom sits down with investigative journalist Jane Hamilton for the first in-depth discussion of her new book:

Peter Tobin: Hunting Shadows

This episode explores the crimes of Peter Tobin, one of Scotland’s most notorious serial killers, and the long investigation that linked him to the murders of:

• Vicki Hamilton (15)
• Dinah McNicol (18)
• Angelika Kluk (23)

Rather than glorifying the killer, Jane’s book focuses on the lives of the young women he murdered — and the investigative journey that uncovered the truth.

• Publisher: Mirror Books
• Release Date: 26 February
• Written in memory of Vicki Hamilton, Dinah McNicol and Angelika Kluk
• A journalist’s perspective on one of Scotland’s darkest criminal investigations

Jane was present from the earliest days of the Angelika Kluk investigation in Glasgow, when her body was discovered beneath the floorboards of St Patrick’s Church in 2006. That murder ultimately exposed Peter Tobin’s hidden past and led to the reopening of earlier missing persons cases.

• 1991 – Vicki Hamilton disappears in Bathgate on a freezing February night
• 1991 – Dinah McNicol vanishes after hitchhiking from a music festival
• 2006 – Angelika Kluk murdered in Glasgow
• Post-2006 – Operation Anagram links Tobin to earlier murders

Tom reflects on his own policing experience during the Vicki Hamilton investigation and explains why Tobin was one of the hardest serial killers in Scotland to catch — frequently changing addresses, aliases and identities.

• The psychology of an opportunistic serial killer
• How Peter Tobin evaded detection for years
• The role of Operation Anagram in linking cold cases
• Grooming, vulnerability and offender behaviour patterns
• The differences between police investigations and investigative journalism
• The decline of long-form crime reporting in modern media

Jane also shares how she tracked down Tobin’s former wives and pursued leads internationally to build a fuller picture of the man behind the crimes.

This episode offers rare insight into:

• How journalists build trust without legal powers
• The ethical challenges of reporting on serial murder
• Telling victims’ stories without sensationalism
• Why historical true crime still resonates today

The Peter Tobin case remains one of the most significant serial killer investigations in Scottish criminal history. This conversation highlights:

• The human cost behind the headlines
• The long shadow cast by unresolved missing persons cases
• The importance of persistence in both policing and journalism

• Scottish serial killer cases
• Peter Tobin and Operation Anagram
• Cold case investigations
• True crime podcast discussions
• Investigative journalism

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Zodiac Killer Investigation: Why He Was Never Caught

Fingerprints, ciphers, and the multi-agency manhunt that led nowhere

By the end of 1970, the Zodiac had murdered across four California jurisdictions, mailed taunting letters and cryptic ciphers to newspapers, and walked away without ever being identified.

In this episode, we examine the investigation itself — the coordination between Solano County, Vallejo, Napa County, and San Francisco; the role of the California Department of Justice; and the mountain of evidence that ultimately led nowhere.

We explore the key forensic pillars of the case: the latent fingerprints recovered from Paul Stine’s taxi, the handwriting analysis linking confirmed Zodiac letters, the physical evidence from multiple crime scenes, and the disputed connection to the 1966 murder of Cheri Jo Bates.

Despite thousands of tips, hundreds of suspects, and decades of review, no match was ever made.

Why did the investigation fail?

And was the Zodiac simply clever — or just lucky?

Next episode: the suspects.

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.

Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.

http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.