Here's Exactly Where The New York Zodiac Killer Is Today
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In Netflix's Catching Killers, investigators look back at some of the most gruesome crimes they've ever uncovered. In the new season's third episode, the crimes of New York-based Zodiac Killer, whose real name is Heriberto "Eddie" Seda, are explored in depth.
In the early 1990s, Seda went on a killing spree that seemed to be inspired by the crimes of the infamous San Francisco-based Zodiac Killer, who was active in the 1960s... and who was never caught. The original Zodiac Killer, whose identity remains unknown, targeted mostly couples, and was linked to at least five murders.
The "Zodiac" name comes from the original killer's apparent determination to kill one victim based on the 12 star signs. The killer also communicated to authorities and the press through cryptic letters and ciphers, which were difficult to solve.
Roughly 20 years later, Heriberto "Eddie" Seda carried out eerily similar crimes. Here is everything to know about the copycat killer, from his life to where he is now:
Who is the New York Zodiac Killer?
The New York Zodiac Killer should not be confused with the original Zodiac Killer, whose identity is still a mystery to authorities. However, Heriberto "Eddie" Seda has been identified as the "copycat" killer, having fatally shot three people and wounding at least five others between 1990 and 1993. He was charged with "six counts of second-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and seven counts of weapons possession" in 1996 and sent to prison, per The New York Times.
Seda would write messages to police ahead of his crimes, and included notes about his victims' horoscopes, per the New York Times. Most of his victims had different Zodiac signs, but only one surviving victim recalled being asked his birthday by a stranger. His shootings always took place on Thursdays, per the New York Times.
He admired the Zodiac Killer.
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Seda apparently deeply admired the Zodiac Killer as a young man, per the Crime Library. He grew up in a troubled environment, was "reclusive," and "obsessed with guns and the bible," per the New York Times. Seda was raised Roman Catholic, and was, according to those around him, extremely religious.
Seda also owned a "worn copy" of Zodiac by Robert Graysmith, which was a thorough investigation of the original Zodiac Killer case, per the Crime Library. He took an interest in other serial killers like Ted Bundy, but apparently admired the Zodiac Killer's ability to evade capture.
Years after Seda's arrest and conviction, New York magazine reported that he had become interested in the Zodiac Killer after watching a PBS news special on their crimes.
Like the original Zodiac Killer, Seda also targeted his victims based on their star signs, and sent cryptic messages to the police regarding his killings. However, his messages were not as advanced as the original Zodiac killer's.
Who were his victims?
Seda said that he targeted his victims because he thought they were "evil," and told authorities he "just got a feeling" about them, according to the New York Times. He never provided another motive.
Seda was eventually arrested in June 1996 for shooting his half-sister Gladys "Chatchi" Reyes over an altercation about the man she was dating at the time.
The New York Zodiak Killer's victims included:
Joseph Proce, 78
Patricia Fonti, 39
John Diacone, 46
His handwriting gave him away.
After his arrest in 1996, investigators noticed Seda's handwriting was a tell-tale sign for his connection to his original 1990 killings, per the New York Times, which matched letters police received from the New York Zodiac Killer.
"The way he wrote his s's and t's, the way he had all these words underlined, I knew it in a second," Detective Joe Herbert told the paper.
From there, investigators took Seda's fingerprints and were able to connect him to all of the killings. Seda confessed to the shootings, but his motive was confusing and "rambling," according to investigators, per the New York Times. He was later found guilty of killing three people and wounding one in 1998, per the New York Times.
Where is the New York Zodiac Killer now?
Seda, now 55, is currently serving a life sentence in prison, per New York magazine. He is not eligible for parole until he turns 264 in the year 2231. In 2004, the magazine wrote that he had fallen in love with a fellow prisoner, Synthia-China Blast. Seda also told the mag that he didn't know anything about astrology, despite basing his crimes off of Zodiac signs.
"I got nothing to live for. I don’t got no job. I already got those skills. I could be famous. I could do that," Seda told New York magazine, about his motive toward his killings in 2004.
You can learn more about the New York Zodiac Killer in Catching Killers season 3, now streaming on Netflix.
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