I was saddened to learn that author, Zodiac expert, and friend Michael Kelleher, PhD, passed away earlier this year.
Of course, those of us in the Zodiac community know Michael as the co-author of This is the Zodiac Speaking: Into the Mind of a Serial Killer, the 2001 book in which he and David Van Nuys analyzed the case. Unsurprisingly, people also consulted Michael regarding the Zodiac over the years, most notably in the 2002 Primetime episode about the killer. His interview is broken up throughout the episode. If you’re interested, I’ve consolidated the starting points of the clips on Tom Voigt’s YouTube video: clip 1, clip 2, clip 3, clip 4, clip 5.
As an author, Michael was prolific. In addition to his other writing, he penned an impressive collection of books, tackling both non-fiction and fiction alike. Relatedly, he had a facility with crafting prose that, I’m sure, left many an author envious, myself included. If we liken the art of the written word to the medium of ice, I consider myself reasonably good at making ice cubes, whereas Michael was a gifted ice sculptor. He could take the elements of the English language and, through his talent, transform them into something that is so much more than the sum of its parts. He was, quite simply, a masterful artist.
Whenever I fall short in comparison to other writers, I try to take solace in the words of A.J. Liebling: “I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write better.” Unfortunately, Michael affords no such comfort. Not only could he write impressively well, but he also did so amazingly fast. Many years ago, I had the opportunity to talk with David Van Nuys at one of the events Tom Voigt organized. Through normal conversation, the topic turned to Michael and what it was like writing the book they co-authored. I vividly remember David’s observation: he works incredibly fast.
Personally, I will always be grateful to Michael for the help and encouragement he gave me while I was writing The Zodiac Revisited. During the process, I solicited feedback from several sources, but Michael’s proved to be especially valuable. In fact, some of the feedback made me step back and reevaluate what I fundamentally believe about the Zodiac. It was a clarifying exercise. At the same time, Michael always had a way of couching his criticism such that it was easier to accept. Moreover, he balanced the feedback with consistent, heartfelt words of encouragement. And given that the three-volume set of books took me fifteen years to finish, I needed all of the encouragement I could get. To put it plainly, The Zodiac Revisited either would not exist or would be significantly different (for the worse) had it not been for Michael.
Interestingly, Michael and I had significantly different opinions about the Zodiac, his crimes, and other aspects of the case. But, in the end, it mattered little. We both recognized that the world was big enough for our differing opinions and that our shared interest in the case was far more important than any such disagreements – a sentiment that is often lost in Zodiac-related discussions. Also of note, during the early days of this website, I was fortunate in that Michael allowed me to publish several articles that he authored. If you are reading these words, perhaps you would like to honor Michael’s memory by having a look at one or more of them. They are listed below.
Five plus decades into the case of the Zodiac, the mystery stubbornly refuses to budge. Meanwhile, time is slipping by in the cold but predictable way that it does. The reality is: we are now continuously losing people who are, in some way, shape, or form, related to the case. On the one hand, it’s understandably inevitable. On the other hand, like so many other aspects of life, it’s a proposition that’s difficult to truly appreciate until it’s fully experienced.
Being a member of this community of people trying to solve the case of the Zodiac, let me say: Michael Kelleher, you made significant and meaningful contributions to the effort, and the community is much better off for you having been a part of it. As a writer, I will add: you were an impressive talent and an inspiration to me and others. And, finally, on a more personal note: Mike, I’m honored to have called you my friend. I will miss you…
