Biography[]
Early life[]
Heriberto Seda was born on July 31, 1967, in New York City. Raised in the Brooklyn area, he experienced a troubled childhood marked by family difficulties and a strained relationship with his mother.
Onset of Mental Illness[]
In his late teens, Seda began displaying signs of mental instability. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, his mental health deteriorated over time, leading to increasing isolation and a fixation on apocalyptic beliefs.
The Zodiac Copycat Killer[]
Seda gained notoriety in the early 1990s as the "Zodiac Copycat Killer" for a series of shootings and stabbings in New York City. He adopted the infamous Zodiac Killer's modus operandi, sending taunting letters to the media and police, complete with cryptic codes and symbols.
Crime Spree[]
Seda's crime spree began in 1990, targeting individuals in the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens. His victims were often young couples parked in cars. Seda utilized a revolver, and his attacks were characterized by a seemingly random selection of victims.
Capturing the Zodiac Copycat[]
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) launched an extensive investigation to apprehend the Zodiac Copycat Killer. Seda's letters to the media and police, along with his distinct patterns of violence, contributed to the efforts to identify and locate him.
Arrest and Trial[]
Seda was arrested on June 18, 1996, after a tip from his sister led authorities to his apartment. He faced multiple charges, including murder and attempted murder. During the trial, Seda's mental health became a focal point, with arguments regarding his sanity at the time of the crimes.
Conviction and Sentencing[]
In 1998, Heriberto Seda was found guilty on multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. Due to his mental illness, he was sentenced to 233 years in prison instead of receiving life without parole.
Victims[]
Confirmed victims[]
| Name | Age | Date of Death | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph "Joe" Proce | June 24, 1990[note 1] | Shooting | |
| Patricia Fonte | August 10, 1992 | Stabbing[note 2] | |
| John DiAcone | July 20, 1993 | Shooting[note 3] |
Survivors[]
| Name | Age | Date of Attack | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Orozco | March 8, 1990 | ||
| Jermaine Montenesdro | March 29, 1990 | ||
| Larry Parham | June 19, 1990 | ||
| James "Jim" Weber | June 4, 1993 | ||
| Diane Ballard | October 2, 1993 | ||
| Gladys Reyes | June 18, 1996 |
Timeline[]
Bibliography[]
Literature[]
Articles[]
Documentaries[]
Television[]
- The Mark of a Killer S2E4: The Other Zodiac (April 30, 2020) on IMDb
- World's Most Evil Killers S7E3: Heriberto Seda (December 2022) on IMDb
- Catching Killers, S3E2: Night Terror: New York Zodiac Killer (June 23, 2023) on IMDb
YouTube Documentaries[]
Podcasts[]
- "The New York Zodiac Killer" Heriberto Seda - Part 1. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
- "The New York Zodiac Killer" Heriberto Seda - Part 2. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
In popular culture[]
Film adaptation[]
Related Articles[]
See also[]
- The "Zodiac Killer"
Links[]
- Heriberto Seda at Wikipedia
- Eddie Seda on IMDb
- Serial Killer Interview - Heriberto Seda ‘’The Zodiac Copy Cat’’, Phil Chalmers True Crime on YouTube
Notes[]
References[]