Chapter 29
The 70’s
August 7, 2012
They decided to follow Edwards after the Robison killings and the Zodiac, which put them into the early 70’s. By then, Edwards was 37 years old with 3 kids and a wife, running all over the country claiming to be a rehabilitated criminal. Kay stayed at home in Akron taking care of the family, while Ed had conned his way into the University of Ohio and was teaching with faculty. He traveled the entire length of the country preaching that he was an authority on crime. Many college professors, high schools, junior highs and police academy officials were fooled. During this time, he was preparing to release his book. His autobiography was written and handed out to people that heard him speak. Neal had a copy and in it were testimonials.
Testimonials on Edward Wayne Edwards, 1970-71
The next set of horrific murders that Cameron located was the 101 Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders, from 1971 to 1974. Someone was killing teen girls and dumping their bodies. Edwards had been in California talking to junior high schools. The testimonials proved it. One was from 12 year old Jennifer Kanis from Pleasant Hill, California. She was the same age as many of the victims.
Testimonial Documenting Edwards’ Timeline in California
Cameron had been contacted by a surviving victim of Ed Edwards. She provided her account of a terrifying ride with Edwards in 1974 when she was 12. Edwards matched the description of every detail she had provided.
During the 70’s, law enforcement and the press were confused as to whether or not the Zodiac was still alive. There were still a lot of killings of young women going on along the 101 Highway and the Zodiac was sending letters claiming responsibility for some. The Los Angeles Times received a letter on March 13, 1971 which was the same time Edwards contacted the San Francisco Police trying to put the Zodiac on Frank Dryman.
Edwards sent the “Exorcist” letter on January 29, 1974.
March 17, 1971 Zodiac Killer Exorcist Letter
Edward’s daughter, April, had told Cameron that he had forced his kids to watch the Exorcist when it came out. Edwards kept the public guessing by changing up his writing and adding to his count. By 1971 he was claiming 17 kills By 1974 it was 37. Our investigation so far had uncovered 11.
August 1, 1973 Albany New York Zodiac Letter
Neal continued, “In 1973 It was concluded the Zodiac was either dead, incarcerated or in a mental institution, because no one had heard from him. No one believed he had just stopped killing. That’s what the first part of this letter refers to.”
Cameron interrupted excitedly, “This also fits with Edwards! Kay told me he broke his back during this time and he was in the hospital, laid up for 6 months. That letter is no hoax. It was Edwards. After Ed appeared on ‘To Tell the Truth’, he went to Albany to promote his book and do a radio program, ‘Dialing for Dollars.’”
Ed Edwards, New York, 1973
Neal pointed out, “August 4th is the anniversary of the troubled times during his mother’s death. People had trouble accepting the Albany letter as being authentic, because it was mailed from Albany, New York. Now, we can put Ed there at this time.”
Cameron interjected, “You know what else? There is an Albany, California in the Bay area—the heart of the Zodiac killings. This is just more smoke and mirrors by Edwards with truth intertwined. Albany is right between the Stephanie Bryan case and the Highway 101 murders. Just days after mailing the Albany letter, Edwards was back in California promoting his book. That reminds me of another article I got from Edwards’ stuff. It definitely places him in Redwood City in the summer of 1973.”
Redwood City, California, August 4, 1973
They read the article together. Cameron exclaimed, “I never actually read this before. Can you believe what it says?”
“His childhood was most unhappy: he says lack of love developed in him a rebellion toward authority along with a compelling demand for attention and this he gained during the next 22 years as an artist at every crime imaginable except murder.”
“Can you believe what he just told us here?!!! An artist at every kind of crime?!!! Except murder. (Yeah, right). Compelling demand for attention?!! And this he gained for 22 years? Unbelievable! This is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a confession, and he flaunted it in front of everyone. That shook me up, Neal. I think we need to get back on subject.”
Cameron returned to the timeline. As the mid-seventies approached, Edwards had 5 children. April, his oldest, was 8 years old by 1977. She recalled her dad taking them to the scene of a double murder in Ohio. In 2010, Edwards confessed to this lover’s lane killing to get the death penalty. She described her dad burning down home after home, then fleeing with the family and living in campgrounds, under assumed names. They were not allowed to contact friends. At times, they didn’t know where they were. Ed dragged them around everywhere, running to and from the police. By the end of the 70’s, Edwards was once again out of control. He couldn’t stop killing. Like a meth addict, he was hooked on murder. He stated it in his Zodiac calls and letters. “Please help me, I can’t stop myself!”
Cameron and Neal were discussing this subject when John stated, “Oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to tell you. I found another news article about Edwards speaking at a church camp. He was promoting his reform and encouraging youth not to turn to a life of crime. What a hypocrite!”
He showed Neal the article.
The Daily News, July, 1977, Huntington, Mount Union and Saxton, Pennsylvania
Neal read the article. “John!!! Did you catch the date?! This is exactly one week before he killed Lavacco and Straub in Ohio. These kids from the church camp look just like the victims.”
Billy Lavacco and Judith Straub, killed August 8, 1977 Silver Creek Park, Norton, Ohio. Edwards confessed and was sentenced to life for this crime in 2010
“I can’t believe it. He’s preaching reform to young kids in Pennsylvania and travels within a week to Ohio, killing two kids 300 miles away! I thought by ‘77, he was done promoting reform and the book, but the hypocrite is using it to find more victims. He even says it’s gonna be turned into a movie! He probably fantasized about killing the church camp kids before he found the ones he killed in Ohio. Psychiatrists are going to have a field day with this. Travel and kill, leave immediately, and return later to steer the cops elsewhere. It’s no wonder he was never caught. Remember that quote in the book about him impersonating a psychiatrist? He really knew how to fool people.”
Cameron surmised, “This documents his M.O. He portrays himself as a trusting official, establishes an alibi in one area, and then travels long distances to murder somewhere else. He definitely knew psychiatry. There is no way anyone could make the connections. He used his family as an alibi and they didn’t even know it. It almost seems as if Kay Edwards was hypnotized the entire 43 years.”
“Well let’s move on to the 80’s in the timeline. Didn’t Edwards get arrested in Atlanta sometime around 1982?”
“Yes,” Cameron replied. “From 1982 to 1986 he was locked up in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was convicted for arson. Ed Burns. Hmmm, Ed Burns. It kind of goes with EBE, Edward Burns Edwards. I like it.”