The internet’s fascination with the unsolved Zodiac Killer case has taken yet another bizarre turn, this time sparking a public feud between two of America’s most polarizing media figures. Conservative commentator Candace Owens recently shared a story from a man named Mitch Snow, who claims the notorious Zodiac Killer was his father. The claim, which surfaced without a shred of verifiable evidence, was quickly seized upon by conspiracy theorist and Infowars host Alex Jones, who didn’t just question its validity—he eviscerated it with a barrage of biting sarcasm, asking if people now believe they’ve seen Martians too . This latest chapter in the decades-long mystery is less about solving a crime and more about the viral spread of unverified claims in the digital age.
Table of Contents
- The Origin of the Zodiac Killer Father Claim
- Alex Jones’s Scathing Sarcasm: A Mockery of the Mitch Snow Story
- The Facts: Why the Zodiac Killer’s Identity Remains a Mystery
- The Role of Media in Amplifying Unverified Claims
- Why This Story Resonates (and Why It’s Dangerous)
- Conclusion: Separating Internet Lore from Cold Case Facts
- Sources
The Origin of the Zodiac Killer Father Claim
The story began with Mitch Snow, a man who appeared in a documentary or interview (the exact primary source remains murky) asserting that his father was the elusive Zodiac Killer—the individual who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 70s. The Zodiac sent cryptic letters to newspapers, took credit for at least five murders, and has never been officially identified despite numerous investigations and countless theories. Candace Owens, known for her provocative takes on social and political issues, shared Snow’s claim with her massive online following, adding her own layer of commentary that gave the story significant traction before it was critically examined .
Alex Jones’s Scathing Sarcasm: A Mockery of the Mitch Snow Story
This is where Alex Jones entered the fray. Never one to shy away from a spectacle, Jones took to his Infowars platform to dissect the claim with a now-familiar brand of over-the-top incredulity. His core argument was simple: where is the proof? In his segment, Jones used heavy sarcasm to ridicule the idea, saying things like, “Oh sure, your dad was the Zodiac Killer… and I saw a UFO landing on my lawn!” . He pointed out the total lack of DNA evidence, police records, or any physical corroboration to support Snow’s extraordinary assertion. For Jones, the story was a prime example of how easily fantastical narratives can be amplified in today’s media landscape, regardless of their factual basis.
The Facts: Why the Zodiac Killer’s Identity Remains a Mystery
It’s crucial to ground this controversy in reality. The official stance from law enforcement is clear: the Zodiac Killer has never been identified. The case, handled primarily by the Vallejo Police Department, Napa County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Francisco Police Department, remains open but cold. Over the years, hundreds of suspects have been investigated and ruled out. The FBI and other agencies have also been involved. Critically, no DNA evidence has ever been matched to a suspect that definitively links them to all the Zodiac crime scenes . In 2021, a team of independent researchers and former law enforcement officials used DNA from a stamp on one of the killer’s letters to generate a partial profile, but it has not led to a conclusive identification . The idea that someone could suddenly emerge with a first-hand familial claim, decades later, without any supporting documentation defies the established investigative record.
The Role of Media in Amplifying Unverified Claims
This incident highlights a disturbing modern media dynamic. The cycle often goes like this:
- A sensational but unverified claim is made by an unknown individual.
- A high-profile commentator (in this case, Owens) shares it with their audience, lending it a degree of perceived legitimacy.
- Another media personality (like Jones) then either defends or attacks the claim, often for entertainment or to rally their own base, further amplifying the story.
- The original lack of evidence is lost in the ensuing noise and debate.
This process prioritizes engagement and clicks over truth and verification, turning a potential hoax or a case of mistaken identity into a national talking point.
Why This Story Resonates (and Why It’s Dangerous)
The Zodiac Killer has become a cultural myth, a boogeyman of the true crime genre. The mystery is tantalizing, and the idea of a definitive solution is deeply appealing. This makes the public vulnerable to accepting new “revelations” without critical scrutiny. However, treating a cold case with such casualness is deeply disrespectful to the victims’ families who have waited over 50 years for justice. The San Francisco Police Department’s official page on the case is a sobering reminder of the real human tragedy behind the internet lore . Promoting baseless theories can also mislead official investigations and waste precious resources.
Conclusion: Separating Internet Lore from Cold Case Facts
The controversy over the Zodiac Killer father claim is a textbook example of how misinformation spreads. While the mystery of the Zodiac is a legitimate subject of historical and criminological interest, the story promoted by Mitch Snow and shared by Candace Owens appears to be just that—a story, not a fact. Alex Jones’s mockery, while delivered in his typical inflammatory style, points to a valid and essential question: where is the proof? In the absence of any credible evidence, this claim should be filed away with the hundreds of other theories that have come and gone. The real quest for the Zodiac’s identity must remain in the hands of serious investigators, not social media personalities. For a deeper dive into the most credible Zodiac Killer suspects, see our [INTERNAL_LINK:zodiac-killer-top-suspects-investigation].
Sources
1. The Times of India. “Alex Jones mocks Candace Owens over Zodiac Killer father claim apology.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us-streamers/i-want-to-apologize-alex-jones-uses-sarcasm-to-question-candace-owens-source-over-zodiac-killer-father-claim/articleshow/126363237.cms .
2. FBI. “Zodiac Killer (1960s-70s).” https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/zodiac-killer .
3. The New York Times. “New DNA From Zodiac Killer Letter Yields Potential Clues.” https://www.nytimes.com, 2021 .
4. San Francisco Police Department. “Zodiac Killer Case Files.” https://sanfranciscopolice.org .