Skip to contentIn the annals of true crime, few cases are as meticulously documented—and yet frustratingly enigmatic—as that of Randy Kraft, the “Scorecard Killer.” Convicted of 16 murders but linked to up to 67, Kraft’s reign of terror from 1971 to 1983 targeted young men along California’s freeways, leaving a trail of strangled, mutilated bodies and a chilling “scorecard” tallying his kills. Discovered in his car during a 1983 traffic stop, this cryptic list of 61 coded entries has fueled debates for decades. Fast-forward to 2025: DNA breakthroughs have tied Kraft to yet another victim, a 1980 Oregon cold case, reigniting questions about accomplices and unsolved horrors. If you’re diving into serial killer profiles like the Toolbox Killers or the I-5 Strangler, this deep dive uncovers Kraft’s facade of normalcy, sadistic methods, and lingering mysteries. Viewer discretion advised—this one’s graphic.
Randy Kraft’s All-American Facade: A Troubled Upbringing Unraveled
Born March 19, 1945, in Long Beach, California, Randolph “Randy” Kraft grew up as the pampered only son in a conservative family. Relocating to Orange County at age three, his childhood seemed idyllic—PTA mom baking cookies, Cub Scouts, Bible lessons—but cracks emerged early.
Early Indicators: Prone to “accidents” like a broken collarbone at 1 and a stair fall at 2, Kraft later claimed these as his only hardships. A distant father favored his sisters, fostering isolation.
Academic Prodigy: Excelled in school, graduating 10th in his high school class of 390. Majored in economics at Claremont Men’s College on a full scholarship, playing saxophone in the band, and joining conservative groups.
Hidden Sexuality: Out as gay in college circles by sophomore year, but his conservative family remained in the dark until his Air Force discharge in 1969—reportedly for his orientation.
Post-discharge, Kraft bartended at gay bars, cruised for sex workers (leading to a dropped 1963 arrest), and battled headaches treated with tranquilizers mixed with alcohol—plummeting his grades but earning a BA in 1968. Coming out to his parents strained their ties; his father disowned him emotionally.
Descent into Depravity: Relationships and the Military Mask
Kraft’s adult life blended success and shadows. Enlisting in the Air Force, he rose quickly but was honorably discharged amid his tour. Back home, he forklift-operated and bartended before pursuing teaching at Long Beach State, where he met boyfriend Jeff in 1971.
Toxic Influences: Their four-year relationship introduced bondage, drug-enhanced sex, and threesomes—escalating Kraft’s kinks despite his monogamy desires.
Serial Partnerships: Post-Jeff #1, a 19-year-old Jeff #2 became his “mentee” in cruising Marine bases. They bought a Long Beach home, but Kraft’s traveling computer job (Oregon, Michigan) strained it until their 1982 split.
By the late 1970s, Kraft’s freelance photography and IT gigs masked his cruising habits, often targeting hitchhiking Marines or bar patrons.
The Horrific Crimes: A Signature of Torture Along the Freeways
Kraft’s victims—mostly Caucasian, muscular young men (gay, straight, teens to 30s)—suffered varying brutality tied to his relationship stress: drugging with tranquilizers/alcohol, binding, strangulation, cigarette-burned nipples, genital mutilation, and foreign objects inserted rectally (often a “song” or worse). Bodies dumped along freeways, posed nude in Polaroids post-mortem.
Known Victims from the Scorecard (Partial Decodings):
| Scorecard Code | Victim Name | Age | Discovery Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable | Wayne Joseph Duquette | 30 | Long Beach resident; strangled, dumped 1971. |
| EDM | Edward Daniel Moore | 20 | Twin found roadside, freeway side. |
| Twiggy | James Reeves | 19 | Long Beach resident; strangled, dumped in 1971. |
| Pier 2 | Thomas Paxton Lee | 25 | Oil field pier, Long Beach. |
| Skates | John Liras | 17 | Floating in Sunset Beach surf. |
| Deodorant | Robert Hawkins | 16 | Hollywood Freeway side, LA. |
| Dog | Raymond Davis | 13 | Dismembered remains near the freeway. |
This table decodes seven of 61 entries; many remain unsolved, with bodies scattered sans blood trails or tools—hinting at possible remote sites or help.
The Fateful Stop: Uncovering the Scorecard in 1983
May 14, 1983: Weaving on I-5 near Laguna Hills, Kraft’s car drew CHP attention. Failing sobriety tests (reeking of booze, disheveled), he was cuffed. Inside: Passenger Terry Gamboa, 25, Marine—pants down, strangled, bound, drugged.
Trunk horrors: 47 nude Polaroids of unconscious/dead men; a briefcase with the “scorecard”—61 coded kills (e.g., “Marine Drunk Overnight Shorts”). The apartment raid yielded victim clothes, matching fibers, and cold-case photos.
Trial, Conviction, and Death Row Denial
Kraft’s 13-month trial (1988-1989)—Orange County’s costliest—pitted circumstantial evidence (no DNA) against his “model citizen” defense. Jury convicted him of 16 murders; sentenced to death on August 11, 1989. At 80, he rots on San Quentin’s death row, denying all involvement.
Read more: The Green River Killer: Gary Ridgway
2025 Breakthroughs: A New Victim ID and Enduring Questions
October 2025 marks 42 years since Kraft’s arrest, but cold cases persist. In May 2025, genetic genealogy (IGG) identified Larry Eugene Parks, a 35-year-old Vietnam vet found strangled on Oregon’s I-5 in 1980, as Kraft’s victim—his 67th suspect. OC Sheriff aided Oregon State Police, closing a 45-year gap.
On X, discussions surge: Users link Kraft to over 120 kills, speculate Netflix’s Monster series inclusion, and debate his “Angel of Darkness” moniker. Recent posts tie him to historical figures like John Wayne Gacy in “famous Democrats” rants (debunked politically) and call for films.
Conspiracy Theories: Solo Killer or Freeway Syndicate?
Kraft’s scorecard suggests 61+ victims, but skeptics question a lone wolf: Minimal blood in his spaces, dismemberments sans tools, and I-5 dumps scream accomplices.
- I-5 Strangler Link: Overlapping 18-44 victims on I-5; some theorize that Kraft is the unidentified Strangler.
- Toolbox Killers Tie: Lawrence Bittaker (died 2024 at San Quentin) and Roy Norris—possible collaborators in victim transport, given similar van/freeway patterns.
- Broader Network?: Theories of a “Freeway Killer” trifecta with William Bonin (executed 1996), explaining the scale.
Kraft’s silence fuels speculation—did he notch kills for a cabal?
