Randy Kraft
California Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
California, United States
TIME PERIOD
1972-1983
VICTIMS
16 confirmed
Randy Kraft, an American serial killer, was apprehended on May 14, 1983, in California after a series of brutal murders spanning from 1972 to 1983, during which he is believed to have raped, tortured, and killed a minimum of sixteen young men, with estimates suggesting he may have been responsible for up to fifty-one additional murders. His victims were primarily young men found near freeways, leading to his monikers, including the "Scorecard Killer" due to a coded list of victims discovered upon his arrest. Kraft was convicted in May 1989 on multiple counts of first-degree murder and is currently on death row at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County. Significant evidence against him includes the aforementioned scorecard and various forensic findings linking him to the crime scenes.
Randy Kraft is believed to have killed a minimum of sixteen young men, but some speculate that the actual number of his victims could be as high as fifty-one. Investigators theorize that Kraft used a coded scorecard to keep track of his victims, indicating a methodical approach to his crimes. Additionally, there is speculation that his choice of victims was influenced by their vulnerability, often targeting young men who were hitchhiking or in transient situations.
The Tale of Randy Kraft: The Scorecard Killer
In the shadow of California's sunlit beaches and bustling highways, a sinister presence lurked between 1972 and 1983. Randy Steven Kraft, born March 19, 1945, in Long Beach, California, became infamously known as the Scorecard Killer, the Southern California Strangler, and the Freeway Killer. Kraft's reign of terror involved the rape, torture, and murder of at least sixteen young men, primarily in California, though it is believed his victims could number as many as sixty-seven, extending to Oregon and Michigan. Convicted in May 1989, Kraft now resides on death row at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County, California.
A Dark Beginning
Randy Kraft's life began modestly as the fourth child and only son of Opal Lee and Harold Herbert Kraft. His father, a Wyoming native, moved to California to work at Douglas Aircraft Company, later joined by his family. The Krafts lived a simple life, with Opal taking on several jobs to supplement the family income, while Harold remained distant. Kraft was a doted-on child, especially by his three sisters and mother, though he was known for being accident-prone.
In 1948, the family relocated to Midway City in Orange County, where Kraft attended Midway City Elementary School. His intellect quickly garnered attention, leading to his enrollment in accelerated classes at 17th Street Junior High School by 1957.
The Path to Darkness
Kraft's adolescence was marked by a keen interest in politics, aligning himself with the Republican Party and aspiring to become a U.S. senator. At Westminster High School, Kraft was a bright student, occasionally dating girls, though whispers of his homosexuality shadowed his social interactions. He graduated tenth in his class in 1963, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in economics at Claremont Men's College.
While at Claremont, Kraft joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps and initially mirrored his parents' conservative views, even supporting Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign. However, his political stance shifted dramatically to liberalism by 1967, leading him to campaign for Robert F. Kennedy.
Kraft's college years were also a period of personal exploration. He entered his first known homosexual relationship in 1964 and began working at a gay bar. Despite his attempts to introduce male friends to his family, his sexuality remained a secret until he confided in them during his Air Force service.
Military Service and Legal Troubles
Kraft joined the United States Air Force in 1968, stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, rising to Airman First Class. He came out to his family in a letter, describing his father’s rage and his mother’s reluctant acceptance. However, his military career ended abruptly in 1969 when he disclosed his homosexuality to his superiors, resulting in a general discharge under "medical" grounds.
Returning to civilian life, Kraft moved back in with his parents, working as a bartender and enrolling at Long Beach State University. It was during this period that Kraft's dark impulses began to manifest.
The First Known Assault
In March 1970, Kraft encountered 13-year-old Joseph Alvin Fancher at Huntington Beach, offering shelter and false promises of sexual experiences. Instead, Fancher was drugged and assaulted at Kraft's Belmont Shore apartment. The youth managed to escape, leading to a hospital visit where he revealed Kraft had drugged and beaten him, though he withheld details of the sexual assault. A search of Kraft's apartment yielded no charges due to procedural issues.
Education and Relationships
Kraft continued his education at Long Beach State University, where he met Jeffrey Paul Graves, initiating a relationship. His life appeared stable, but beneath the surface, a chilling pattern of violence was emerging.
A Series of Murders
Between 1971 and 1983, Kraft's killing spree claimed the lives of at least sixteen confirmed victims, all young males between 14 and 30 years old. Many were Marines, their bodies discovered with high levels of alcohol and tranquilizers, suggesting they were incapacitated during their final hours. Kraft's victims were often lured with offers of rides or alcohol, only to be bound, tortured, and killed, frequently beside California's freeways.
The first suspected murder victim, 30-year-old Wayne Joseph Dukette, was found on October 5, 1971. His demise marked the beginning of a series of brutal killings, with each victim meeting an equally gruesome fate. Kraft's method was chillingly consistent: victims showed signs of severe abuse, strangulation, or bludgeoning, and many bore disturbing post-mortem mutilations.
The Scorecard and Capture
Kraft's meticulous record-keeping led to his moniker, the Scorecard Killer. Upon his arrest, investigators discovered a coded list of 61 entries, believed to reference his victims. This macabre tally, combined with the discovery of photographic evidence and the bodies of his victims, painted a grim picture of Kraft's decade-long killing spree.
On May 14, 1983, Kraft's reign of terror ended with his arrest. His trial culminated in a conviction for sixteen counts of first-degree murder, sodomy, and mutilation, resulting in a death sentence. Today, Kraft remains on death row, a chilling reminder of the horrors that once haunted the Californian highways.
Sources
For further details, visit the Wikipedia page: Randy Kraft
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First Suspected Murder
The body of Wayne Joseph Dukette is found, believed to be Kraft's first victim.
Arrest of Randy Kraft
Kraft is arrested after a traffic stop reveals a dead man in his car, leading to further investigation.
Formal Charges Filed
Kraft is formally charged with the murder of Terry Lee Gambrel.
Additional Charges
Kraft is charged with an additional fifteen murders, bringing the total to sixteen.
Trial Begins
Kraft's trial begins in Orange County, with over 160 witnesses expected to testify.
Guilty Verdict
Kraft is found guilty of sixteen counts of murder, one count of sodomy, and one count of emasculation.
Death Sentence
Kraft is sentenced to death by Judge Donald A. McCartin.
Conviction Upheld
The California Supreme Court upholds Kraft's conviction and death sentence.
Continued Incarceration
Kraft remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Men, still denying responsibility.
Randy Kraft, an American serial killer, was apprehended on May 14, 1983, in California after a series of brutal murders spanning from 1972 to 1983, during which he is believed to have raped, tortured, and killed a minimum of sixteen young men, with estimates suggesting he may have been responsible for up to fifty-one additional murders. His victims were primarily young men found near freeways, leading to his monikers, including the "Scorecard Killer" due to a coded list of victims discovered upon his arrest. Kraft was convicted in May 1989 on multiple counts of first-degree murder and is currently on death row at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County. Significant evidence against him includes the aforementioned scorecard and various forensic findings linking him to the crime scenes.
Randy Kraft is believed to have killed a minimum of sixteen young men, but some speculate that the actual number of his victims could be as high as fifty-one. Investigators theorize that Kraft used a coded scorecard to keep track of his victims, indicating a methodical approach to his crimes. Additionally, there is speculation that his choice of victims was influenced by their vulnerability, often targeting young men who were hitchhiking or in transient situations.
The Tale of Randy Kraft: The Scorecard Killer
In the shadow of California's sunlit beaches and bustling highways, a sinister presence lurked between 1972 and 1983. Randy Steven Kraft, born March 19, 1945, in Long Beach, California, became infamously known as the Scorecard Killer, the Southern California Strangler, and the Freeway Killer. Kraft's reign of terror involved the rape, torture, and murder of at least sixteen young men, primarily in California, though it is believed his victims could number as many as sixty-seven, extending to Oregon and Michigan. Convicted in May 1989, Kraft now resides on death row at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County, California.
A Dark Beginning
Randy Kraft's life began modestly as the fourth child and only son of Opal Lee and Harold Herbert Kraft. His father, a Wyoming native, moved to California to work at Douglas Aircraft Company, later joined by his family. The Krafts lived a simple life, with Opal taking on several jobs to supplement the family income, while Harold remained distant. Kraft was a doted-on child, especially by his three sisters and mother, though he was known for being accident-prone.
In 1948, the family relocated to Midway City in Orange County, where Kraft attended Midway City Elementary School. His intellect quickly garnered attention, leading to his enrollment in accelerated classes at 17th Street Junior High School by 1957.
The Path to Darkness
Kraft's adolescence was marked by a keen interest in politics, aligning himself with the Republican Party and aspiring to become a U.S. senator. At Westminster High School, Kraft was a bright student, occasionally dating girls, though whispers of his homosexuality shadowed his social interactions. He graduated tenth in his class in 1963, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in economics at Claremont Men's College.
While at Claremont, Kraft joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps and initially mirrored his parents' conservative views, even supporting Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign. However, his political stance shifted dramatically to liberalism by 1967, leading him to campaign for Robert F. Kennedy.
Kraft's college years were also a period of personal exploration. He entered his first known homosexual relationship in 1964 and began working at a gay bar. Despite his attempts to introduce male friends to his family, his sexuality remained a secret until he confided in them during his Air Force service.
Military Service and Legal Troubles
Kraft joined the United States Air Force in 1968, stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, rising to Airman First Class. He came out to his family in a letter, describing his father’s rage and his mother’s reluctant acceptance. However, his military career ended abruptly in 1969 when he disclosed his homosexuality to his superiors, resulting in a general discharge under "medical" grounds.
Returning to civilian life, Kraft moved back in with his parents, working as a bartender and enrolling at Long Beach State University. It was during this period that Kraft's dark impulses began to manifest.
The First Known Assault
In March 1970, Kraft encountered 13-year-old Joseph Alvin Fancher at Huntington Beach, offering shelter and false promises of sexual experiences. Instead, Fancher was drugged and assaulted at Kraft's Belmont Shore apartment. The youth managed to escape, leading to a hospital visit where he revealed Kraft had drugged and beaten him, though he withheld details of the sexual assault. A search of Kraft's apartment yielded no charges due to procedural issues.
Education and Relationships
Kraft continued his education at Long Beach State University, where he met Jeffrey Paul Graves, initiating a relationship. His life appeared stable, but beneath the surface, a chilling pattern of violence was emerging.
A Series of Murders
Between 1971 and 1983, Kraft's killing spree claimed the lives of at least sixteen confirmed victims, all young males between 14 and 30 years old. Many were Marines, their bodies discovered with high levels of alcohol and tranquilizers, suggesting they were incapacitated during their final hours. Kraft's victims were often lured with offers of rides or alcohol, only to be bound, tortured, and killed, frequently beside California's freeways.
The first suspected murder victim, 30-year-old Wayne Joseph Dukette, was found on October 5, 1971. His demise marked the beginning of a series of brutal killings, with each victim meeting an equally gruesome fate. Kraft's method was chillingly consistent: victims showed signs of severe abuse, strangulation, or bludgeoning, and many bore disturbing post-mortem mutilations.
The Scorecard and Capture
Kraft's meticulous record-keeping led to his moniker, the Scorecard Killer. Upon his arrest, investigators discovered a coded list of 61 entries, believed to reference his victims. This macabre tally, combined with the discovery of photographic evidence and the bodies of his victims, painted a grim picture of Kraft's decade-long killing spree.
On May 14, 1983, Kraft's reign of terror ended with his arrest. His trial culminated in a conviction for sixteen counts of first-degree murder, sodomy, and mutilation, resulting in a death sentence. Today, Kraft remains on death row, a chilling reminder of the horrors that once haunted the Californian highways.
Sources
For further details, visit the Wikipedia page: Randy Kraft
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Suspected Murder
The body of Wayne Joseph Dukette is found, believed to be Kraft's first victim.
Arrest of Randy Kraft
Kraft is arrested after a traffic stop reveals a dead man in his car, leading to further investigation.
Formal Charges Filed
Kraft is formally charged with the murder of Terry Lee Gambrel.
Additional Charges
Kraft is charged with an additional fifteen murders, bringing the total to sixteen.
Trial Begins
Kraft's trial begins in Orange County, with over 160 witnesses expected to testify.
Guilty Verdict
Kraft is found guilty of sixteen counts of murder, one count of sodomy, and one count of emasculation.
Death Sentence
Kraft is sentenced to death by Judge Donald A. McCartin.
Conviction Upheld
The California Supreme Court upholds Kraft's conviction and death sentence.
Continued Incarceration
Kraft remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Men, still denying responsibility.