Dennis Kaufman's Photo Chicanery - Part One

Dennis Kaufman turned over three rolls of film to the FBI. They gave them back and said they were nothing more than family photos. But, Dennis hasn't given up, yet. He gave more photos to Dr. Stephen Dewhurst to develop and has even had some of the photos published on TV and the Internet. But, are these photos images of murder or "snuff film"?

Remember, all of this is coming from a man who claims that Jack Tarrance had "bomb diagrams." Those photos are plainly electrical diagrams for normal, benign purposes. One is a diagram for an alternator. Another is for a defrost circuit for a freezer. Another is a circuit containing a relay. Even if you're not familiar with electrical diagrams, it's not that hard to decipher --the drawings are labeled in Jack Tarrance's own writing. Nowhere on the paper does it say "bomb," "explosive," or even anything close. yet, that doesn't stop Dennis from turning them into something sinister and evil. Is he doing the same with these photos? That sort of appears to be the case. Read on to hear why we think Dennis Kaufman and his photo claims are bogus.

Kaufman claims to have found photographs and negatives among his stepfather's things. He says these photos depict gruesome murders. Kaufman claims that his stepfather, Jack Tarrance, was the Zodiac Killer. With the aid of Dr. Stephen Dewhurst and CBS13 of Sacramento, Dennis Kaufman has brought these photos to the eye of the public by claiming that the subjects in the pictures are victims of Jack Tarrance. CBS13's Kris Pickel ran a story with the title "'Snuff Films' Could Hold Answers In Zodiac Case." The story relates that Kaufman said the photo of the tattooed man was on a single roll of film he developed prior to giving evidence the FBI. Pickel wrote, "The picture is graphic; A dead, bloody body. Dennis Kaufman says the picture came from a roll of film he found in his stepfather's belongings after he died." But are these photos anything of the sort? Is it possible that there is a more reasonable explanation to the origins of the photographs? This post intends to sort through the claims and innuendo and get to the facts.

After speaking to some sources close to Dennis and after examining the photographs shown by CBS13 closely and with the aid of digital enhancement, I think it is safe to say that these photos have nothing to do with murder. I intend to show that these photos do nothing to indicate that Jack Tarrance so much as killed a fly, much less a human. However, this doesn't mean that Tarrance was an angel or a saint. Far from that, Tarrance was a cruel, disgusting person. Despite that fact, there has been no proof to date that he was the Zodiac Killer.

Let's start with that photo of an allegedly unidentified man. Even thought this photograph wasn't found at the same time as the other photos shown in the CBS13 article, it was shown with them. Perhaps this was to add mystery to the other photographs. But, as has been revealed very recently, this is not a photograph of a murder at all.

A man named Richard Larsen has recently come forward with the identity of the man in the photograph. CrimeShadows News has interviewed Mr. Larsen. What he has to say may be very revealing and insightful. He has a lot to say about Dennis Kaufman and Jack Tarrance. Is Rick Larsen telling the truth? That is for you to decide.

Below are the questions I asked Mr. Larsen and the answers he provided:

What is your name and in what capacity do you know Dennis Kaufman?

Richard Larsen Sr. I’m 45 yrs old. Known to my friends as Hillbilly Rick. Being raised in Ark it kinda fits.

For how long have you known Dennis Kaufman?

I have known Dennis since he was 15 or 16 years old --so about 27 years. My brother met him through Janeva (Dennis and Mary’s other sister) My brother was dating her at the time and Dennis had left home or got kicked out. Don’t really remember. He had nowhere to go, so I let him stay at my place for awhile. This was a couple months before I met Mary

.

Would you say that you know him well?

How well does a big brother know a little brother? I would say pretty well. I'm the guy that taught Dennis how to shave, drive, paint, and many other things that you would do with any kid. I can’t begin to tell you how many fishing and camping trips we took together or the trips to the bay area. He worked for me and lived with me for 2 years. We even got into the meth thing together. It about destroyed us. I stopped he didn’t.

How would you describe your current relationship with Dennis Kaufman?

Dennis has had problems with me for years. Lots of theories why --from jealousy to religion. I’m Christian. (He's a) Satanist. Whatever the problem, Dennis has had issue with me on and off for years. Even before I said anything on this, he wrote on his web page about me. I really pity him. He's lost his mind. As we speak, he is saying I killed his mother.

It has been alleged that you are merely seeking vengeance against Dennis for some past issues. Is there any truth to this? Do you have any reason to be vindictive toward Dennis?

Had I been seeking vengeance I would have had him arrested many times over the years. Even by his own admission he has assaulted me and I did not have him arrested. So much for being a nice guy. I have had to put restraining orders against him and have had them removed so he wouldn’t be alone on the holidays.

What about Jack Tarrance? How well did you know him? Please describe your relationship.

My relationship with Jack grew over time. At first I didn’t even know Jack was around. Him and Nora had split up. But after a while maybe a couple of weeks into December of 1982. He started coming around. He could care less for me or the kids. He only wanted to come home. After being around for about 7 months, Jack said if I was going to be around so much I might as well move in and pay rent. So I did. June 5, 1983. From that time forward, Dennis and I started having our problems. Dennis was very jealous about the friendship Jack and I was building. I spent a lot of time with Jack. We got into our arguments and we also cried together. Jack was at my mother's funeral. I have known Jack for about 26 years.

You have indicated in comments on various websites, including CrimeShadows News, that you know the identity of the man in a photo that Dennis has implied or otherwise indicated is a murder victim. Who is this man and what can you tell us about him?

The tattoo man's name is Noel Shaw. He died in Port Huron, Michigan on January 3, 1997 from a fall off a bridge. He is Dennis’s sister's boyfriend --the father of her first daughter. Dennis told Dennise he had a friend that could help solve what happened to him (in Dennis’s eyes every thing has a angle). So she sent him the pictures believing her big brother would only help.

When and how did you first become aware of the (death) photo you claim to be that of Noel Shaw?

I first saw the pics on Dennis web page. I went to the CBS13 link and found the caption "Zodiac Snuff Film." Couldn’t believe what I saw. I have been out of the loop for about a year and a half as I lived where we did not have Internet. The only info we got was from Dennis. I really was only seeing what was new.

Was Dennis Kaufman acquainted with Noel Shaw?

Dennis never met Noel. But knew of him from his sister Dennise.

Do you think Dennis would have ever seen or been familiar with the tattoo depicted in the photograph we are discussing?

I can't see how Dennis couldn't have known. The tattoo is of Noel's first daughter's initials. Alexis Noel Lynn Shaw. With the peace sign under the letters. Dennis knew who it was when he showed it. No doubt about it.

There is a photo of a small boy with blonde hair in some of the photos given to CBS13. He is unidentified. Do you have any idea who he may be?

I don’t know anything about the small child on the film. I don’t see it as relevant. The child does not look harmed in any way. The rest of the pics are like ink blots a psych might use. They are up to personal impressions. Jack does have at least 25 grandchildren.

What about any of the other "evidence" given by Dennis to law enforcement? Can you tell us about anything we may not be aware of that might call these items into question?

The hood is phony. I have seen at least 3.

It has been claimed in news articles that you have supported Jack Tarrance as a Zodiac suspect. Is this still true?

I did think Jack could have been the Zodiac. That is one reason I am doing this. I know how compelling his evidence can look. But after truly looking into the (Zodiac Killer) profile and the real facts, Jack doesn’t fit. Jack had real problems with sex. He liked liked them young. He would never have crossed the line of murder without a sexual assault. I asked Denny (Jack's biological son, not to be confused with Dennis) once if he thought Jack could be the Zodiac and he said, "No. No one was raped." He also told me that Jack had molested all his children. Jack spent some time in a nut house in 1968 for molesting his third wife's daughter.

What has made you change your mind about Tarrance being the Zodiac Killer?

About 3 months before he died I asked him why he was allowing Dennis to do these things to him and allow him to say these things about him. His reply floored me. He said "I did a lot of bad things to him," and then started telling me that he had molested a lot of children when he was drinking a lot. He said he molested children --from 5 to 10 boys and girls. He also said that he was hoping his children would forgive him. After this I had nothing to do with him. I didn’t know what to say. When he died I and his son Charlie had him cremated. We did not want Dennis to start cutting him up.

Do you think that Jack Tarrance was in any way responsible for the death of Dennis's mother?

There is no way Jack killed Nora. Dennis is now saying I did it. After he had someone else say Jack admitted to it. After Dennis himself, in his story about how his mom died, that he was on the phone with Nora up until 5 or 6 minutes before her death. Nora died of natural causes. Dennis even is accusing U.C. Davis Med Center of covering it up. Really sad.

Do you think that Dennis actually believes that Jack Tarrance is the Zodiac Killer?

Dennis knows Jack didn’t do this. He set him up.

Do you have any reason for believing that Dennis may be perpetrating a fraud?

I do not believe anything from Dennis.

Has Dennis ever discussed any plans of making money from his claim that Jack Tarrance is the Zodiac Killer?

Dennis has sold the book rights to (Dr. Stephen) Dewhurst for a large sum of money and has always said he is making a movie. Not to mention the DVD he tries to sell. He has sold the rights to this so many times.

Do you think that Jack Tarrance is capable of committing murder?

Jack had a dark side. When he drank, he was a monster --but, I never knew that Jack. We didn’t drink together. I only knew the sober Jack.

Do you think he has done so?

Jack was as capable of killing someone as anyone is. In a fight or when scared for his life maybe. He did tell me he ran over some guys in a fight to get away. And another time he stabbed a guy in a fight. He never said he killed anyone.

Are there any issues that I have not addressed that you would like to elaborate on?

I want people to know the truth. I have nothing to hide or gain. I want nothing more than to (go) back to my hermit life and make all this go away. But people need to know. A lot of people believed that some suspect was ID'd in this or that the police can’t do their jobs and this Hero was going to save the day. How much heartache has been done to the real victims families of the (Zodiac)? Hoping that they might get answers. Only to be left with a empty hole.

Do you have anything you would like to add or any statement you wish to make public?

I would like to say to Denny (that) I'm sorry. I really thought people would see Dennis for what he is. Secondly, people need to remember these are real people, with real lives not just a name on a screen. Thank you for letting me have my say.

(Note: Dennis Kaufman was asked to present his side of the issue for our readers. He did not respond. He wasn't too busy; He always reads my email and my blogs. He cannot evict anyone who disagrees with him here. That being the case, he's probably aware of just how foolish his version would look side by side with the truth. I am sure he would rather just evade the subject and resort to name-calling on his message board. So, if you want to hear his side of the story, you are out of luck. He has been given the opportunity.)

(Note: Some images used in this post may be copyrighted by other parties and not authorized for publication. CrimeShadowsNews believes that the use of such images in the above context constitutes "fair use" according to U.S. law.)

Coming Up: What about those other photos shown by CBS13? Dr. Stephen Dewhurst says he sees dead people. CrimeShadows news takes a closer look.