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ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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A Vigenère Solution to the Zodiac Killer's Z13 Cipher: MY NAME IS LEIGH

Authors: Bradford, Joshua;

A Vigenère Solution to the Zodiac Killer's Z13 Cipher: MY NAME IS LEIGH

Abstract

THE BREAKTHROUGH: Nobody in 55 years treated "My name is" as part of the encrypted message. Every previous attempt assumed the 13 cipher characters contained a complete name. They don't. "My name is" IS the plaintext for columns 1–8. The cipher only hides 5 characters — a single first name. THE METHOD: Treating "My name is" as a known-plaintext crib (the same methodology that cracked the Zodiac's Z408 and Enigma at Bletchley Park), Vigenère key values are computed at every letter position by simple subtraction. The back-half key values produce a perfect U-F alternation — an Atbash mirror pair (U+F=25). This pattern forces the final three plaintext letters to be I, G, H. The only 5-letter English name ending in IGH is LEIGH. THE VERIFICATION: Plugging L and E into the remaining positions produces key values F and U — continuing the UFUF alternation with zero contradictions. All 8 letter positions verify. All 5 symbol positions produce consistent values. The ⊛ (Taurus) symbol encrypts to Q at all three of its occurrences. 8 + 5 = 13: every position accounted for. THE TESTING: 4,388 candidate names tested — only LEIGH produces the UFUF pattern. 1,125 intro phrase + name combinations tested — only MY NAME IS + LEIGH produces an Atbash-paired alternating key. 306 suspect name variations tested (Marshall, Kane, Gaikowski, Poste, Van Best, Sullivan, Doerr, Kaczynski, Tucker) — zero produce UFUF. THE NAME: LEIGH is the legal middle name of Arthur Leigh Allen (1933–1992), the only suspect ever publicly named by police in the Zodiac investigation. Allen was first interviewed as a suspect six months before Z13 was sent. Both cryptographic techniques (Vigenère and Atbash) appear in David Kahn's "The Codebreakers" (1967), Chapters 2 and 5 — a book connected to the Zodiac investigation. The cipher escalation across all four Zodiac ciphers tracks the chapter progression of that book. The full document includes step-by-step derivation, complete verification tables, competitive testing methodology, symbol resolution, suspect alignment with forensic exclusion evidence, and a detailed comparison with all competing Z13 solutions (Bauer's ALFRED E NEUMAN, Ziraoui's KAYR, Garlick's DR EAT A TORPEDO). Submitted to the FBI on March 23, 2026. Published to establish priority and invite independent review. *Please view v2 file for most up to date information*

Keywords

Atbash, cryptanalysis, Arthur Leigh Allen, Vigenère cipher, Zodiac Killer, Z13 cipher, known-plaintext attack

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
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