The Riverside watch
For many years now, I’ve been of the opinion that the man who would later go on to become the Zodiac murdered not only Robert Domingos, Linda Edwards, and Cheri Jo Bates, but also Johnny Ray and Joyce Ann Swindle.
The Swindles were from Jasper, Alabama. At seventeen years old, Johnny Ray joined the Navy. By the time 1963 was turning to 1964, the sailor’s initial enlistment was coming to an end. Johnny Ray decided to re-up. With his re-enlistment bonus in hand, he took his accumulated vacation, went back to Jasper, married his high-school sweetheart, Joyce, and brought her back to San Diego.
Joyce was fascinated by the Pacific Ocean and hence the couple made it a point to go for a walk along the beach every night. By February 5th, less than three weeks after the small wedding in Jasper, Alabama, the newlywed’s honeymoon was coming to an end. Johnny Ray had orders to report for duty on the seventh. In particular, the couple would be apart for their first Valentine’s day as husband and wife. Likely in recognition of these bittersweet circumstances, Johnny Ray bought Joyce some candy at one of the stores on the path of their nightly stroll. The two made their way to a retaining wall on the beach and began to share the candy as they took in the nighttime beauty of the Pacific Ocean.
Sadly, a gunman hidden in a make-shift sniper’s nest put a permanent end to newlywed’s hopes and dreams. Both Johnny Ray and Joyce were shot with .22 long-rifle, hollow-point bullets. Once incapacitated, the gunman approached and shot each in the head at point-blank range. Joyce died quickly. Remarkably, Johnny Ray held on two to three hours before succumbing to his wounds.
From early on, it was well documented that the killer took Johnny Ray’s wallet. However, in doing some research recently, I came across a tidbit that may have some meaningful implications. Specifically, the February 23, 1964 San Diego Union newspaper had an article which included the following two paragraphs:
The killer almost certainly took the sailor’s wristwatch. But that’s not all. The situation becomes even more interesting when we consider how Johnny Ray spent the last day of his life: he was painting for several hours. In particular, he went to his landlady and asked if there was anything he could do to earn some extra money. She put him to work painting an apartment.
So, are there any references to paint-splattered watches in the remainder of the extended Zodiac crimes (the canonical Zodiac crimes plus the Southern California murders)? Indeed there are. In the very next crime, i.e. the murder of Cheri Jo Bates some two years and nine months later, investigators found a watch at the crime scene–a watch which is documented as having paint on it. The watch band was broken and most people, understandably, believe it was worn by the perpetrator and torn off by Cheri Jo when she fiercely fought back against her attacker. But, what if this watch was never owned by the killer? Rather, what if he left it at the crime scene specifically to confuse the investigation?
If nothing else, this is at least a thought-provoking possibility. What’s your opinion?
Great Stuff Mike. This case has always interested me as well. I actually never knew about the watch, and the fact it may have been paint splattered is really interesting. This deserves more research
Thanks Mike. Yeah, I was really surprised when I read those two paragraphs. It was hard to find since the first (and probably only) mention of it was almost 3 weeks after the murders, i.e. it’s not mentioned anywhere in the detailed initial reports.
I talked to Bud Kelly in ’91. He said “Bob Barnett” had painted a small house that he lived in behind his folk’s house, and wore his watch while he was painting. Unfortunately, I didn’t ask Kelly if RPD had tried to match the paint on the small house with that on the wristwatch.
No match! I spoke to Kelky also. He was very crude and was angry. He said unless the type -writer,shoes killer wore,the knife,etc.,was brought in he would not accept,talk or consider anything about the case. He did quote a small portion of Bates’ diary to me. Her brother needs to demand the diary and they police can keep a copy.
Good information Mike thank you. The idea of the Military ID being taken, makes me think about Robt Tarbox and a man claiming to be Zodiac showing Tarbox a military ID. I never felt that Zodiac would give anyone his real name, that if the name on that ID was Swindle’s, but the picture inserted was Zodiac, I could believe that.
Does anyone know if Joyce Swindle’s wrist watch was taken ? I would think the killer would take something of hers as well? I ask this because I have a female wrist watch that was left for me (along with a strange costume) in Napa Sept 28th or 29th 1969, the watch I believe could belong to a victim? It was left by whom I feel was the Zodiac. I contacted Napa PD and Riverside, asking if either Cecilia or Cheri Jo Bates were missing a watch? Neither police dept. ever got back to me.
I have been to the Swindle’s crime scene and saw their apt. Took the walk that I felt was the way they went.The sound of the ocean was so loud, that it would be very hard to hear gun shots.I found only one spot where the killer could have fired the shots from and where he wouldn’t be seen from the Apts above.
Who ever it was, was a coward just like Zodiac.
Hi Sandy,
I’m not aware of the killer taking anything from Joyce, but it’s certainly a possibility.
Yeah, one of the newspaper articles I read said something similar, i.e. that the ocean was so loud that it may well have masked the sound of gunfire. I’ve been in that general area, but not specifically at the crime scene. Hopefully, I’ll get back down there sometime in the not-too-distant future.
I really think this was the same guy. He was already smart enough to vary his weapon. In Southern California, the goal was specifically to avoid detection. He did the same thing in San Francisco, but there it was more to create ambiguity.
My belief is that the guy lived somewhere in the Greater Los Angeles area and traveled to each of the three crimes scenes: north to Gaviota, South to San Diego, and East to Riverside. The crimes involved a lot of premeditation, which is a big part of the reason he’s never been caught.
You could ask Joyce’s best friend about her watch if she had one..she is still alive. I believe she told me Joyce was missing a necklace. I know she told the FBI ABOUT IT.
Hi Rick,
Could you get a Swindles Wedding photo from Joyce Swindle’s best friend? I want to see if Johnny Ray Swindle is wearing his watch in that picture. He probably was. Thank you! ????
Yes necklace was missing. Two men had picked up the Swindles in a convertible and one made a compliment about her gold necklace.
During the murder the killer had taken Johnnies Timex watch and wallet! He had been painting that day to earn extra money. Did the killer of Bates leave thst same Times?
Don’t know why l am posting since posts go back so far.
Compelling article.
In the confession letter he wrote 3 times the word: “TIME”, and two times the word: “HANDS” . Also it can be found one time the word: “BRUSH”. Chances are the Zodiac was depicting the painted watch found in the crime scene. I´m just speculating of course.
-WHEN WE WERE AWAY FROM THE LIBRARY WALKING, I SAID IT WAS ABOUT TIME. SHE ASKED ME “ABOUT TIME FOR WHAT”. I SAID IT WAS ABOUT TIME FOR HER TO DIE.
-I GRABBED HER AROUND THE NECK WITH MY HAND OVER HER MOUTH AND MY OTHER HAND WITH A SMALL KNIFE AT HER THROAT
-BRUSH OFFS THAT SHE HAD GIVEN ME DURING THE YEARS PRIOR.
This stickers were also sent to Paul Avery by Z in the Halloween card: http://www.zodiackiller.com/Stickerz.html
“the couple would be apart for their first Valentine’s day as husband and wife.”
“Johnny Ray bought Joyce some candy at one of the stores on the path of their nightly stroll. The two made their way to a retaining wall on the beach and began to share the candy as they took in the nighttime beauty of the Pacific Ocean.”
Thanks Ruben.
You’re suggesting that the stickers may have come from the Valentine’s Day candy, right? It’s an interesting thought…
Posting in general to everyone. I think these two stickers refer could refer to the Swindles as well as the Lass case. Her so-called gravesite that Dave Peterson explored with a backhoe-He sent me photos of the dig. He found a pillowcase with slits in it and a pair of green sunglasses the same type and color as Donna’s which her sister Mary confirmed to to me via phone. One sticker the triangle in a square looked like the 13 stones and logs that were arranged near where Dave dug. One headline that was used about the swindles called it the “Sweetheart Murders.”
I was first- no brag- to locate this crime many years ago and connect it to young Z ,but no one cared about it. It took years for Z researchers to even consider it.
Zodiac killer case it´s full of strange coincidences that match a lot of people Michael, maybe there was more than one people involved in; perhaps even the police “humble thought”. God i enjoy your site, best wishes this 2016. I´m very intrigued!!!
Thanks for the kind words, Ruben. Happy New Year!
Why do we have two different times on the watches? Crime scene photos show 9:10 or so..This photo shows, 12:23…
Nver read this before…could totally be the same watch. Maybe he was wearing it as a momento?
Seems that this intriguing Swindle murders + watch with paint drops + Zodiac killer theory is getting some traction on the main Zodiac killer forums these days (~Nov. 2020). Curiously, I’m not seeing Michael Cole’s name or this original post referenced (yet) at all. It is curiouser, still, since certain other Z site admins have spent the better part of this year championing authors’ and researchers’ due credit.
Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to leave this comment.
It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since I wrote this post.
I had to stop participating in the forums (and everything else, really) in order to make progress on my books. I’m glad to hear the idea is getting some traction. It would be nice to get credit for the discovery; I know of nobody else who documented these facts before I did. However, I also understand that the dynamics of the forums do not always emphasize origins of facts and theories. Perhaps somebody will make note of my contribution at some point. Otherwise, I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with knowing that I helped move the conversation along…
I wonder if the” Capri Pants Killer” 1962 could be his pre zodiac murders they were very violent and fast you can tell this was someone just getting started as a serial killer. https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/ca-charlotte-schmidt-46-fullerton-15-january-1962.283016/#post-16587317
[Edited: Link fixed]