Randy Kraft: The Scorecard Killer (Part 1)

12 snips

Aug 14, 2025

In the haunting shadows of 1970s Southern California, Randy Kraft, known as the Scorecard Killer, terrorized the community with his gruesome murders of young men. With a chilling list that hinted at many more victims, the hosts dive into the dark details of his crimes. They explore unsettling discoveries at crime scenes and the emotional weight of the victims' stories. Additionally, societal biases affecting investigations into marginalized communities are examined, shedding light on the complexities and tragedies of these unsolved cases.

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ANECDOTE

Terminal Island Victim Shared The Sock Signature

A second young man was found on Terminal Island, strangled with steel wire and bearing the same sock signature.
He remained unidentified at the time and later efforts produced digital renderings without a match.

INSIGHT

Database Limits Hid Victim Identities

Many victims remained unidentified for years due to limited fingerprint database connectivity in the 1970s.
A 1973 Huntington Beach victim was matched decades later (1995) when fingerprint systems were merged, revealing him as Kevin Clark Bailey.

ANECDOTE

Dismemberment And Human Skin Found

Investigators found dismembered limbs and even human skin in plastic bags around Terminal Island, indicating extreme mutilation.
The torso and other parts were severed with a dull knife, and the victim remains unidentified to this day.

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Throughout the 1970s, Southern California residents were held in the grip of terror as multiple serial killers stalked the streets, preying on victims from every walk of life, including the area’s gay community. From 1971 to 1983, Randy Kraft kidnapped, tortured, and murdered at least sixteen men and boys, but the real number of victims is believed to be considerably higher. When he was arrested in 1983, investigators searched Kraft’s home and found a list with cryptic references to what they believed were sixty-one victims in total. The discovery of that list led the press to dub Kraft “The Scorecard Killer.”

Following his arrest in 1983, Randy Kraft was tried and convicted of sixteen counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Although the arrest and trial put an end to Kraft’s murder spree, several critical questions remain unanswered, including the most important aspect of the case detectives were never able to solve: who was Randy Kraft’s accomplice?

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Arnold, Roxane, and Jerry Hicks. 1983. "Kraft suspected in deaths of 14 men in 3 states, Gates says." Los Angeles Times, May 20: 73.

Associated Press. 1983. "Five murders charged to computer analyst." Sacramento Bee, May 25: 2.

—. 1978. "Police seek link in deaths of 18." San Bernardino County Sun, November 24: 3.

—. 1983. "Freeway killing pattern repeats." The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA), February 19: 2.

Bajko, Matthew. 2016. Gay serial killer breaks silence. November 2. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://www.ebar.com/story/246748.

Grant, Gordon. 1983. "How a routine stop led to a big arrest." Los Angeles Times, May 20: 73.

Hicks, Jerry. 1988. "Alleged 'death list' made public as Kraft trial opens." Los Angeles Times, September 27: 69.

—. 1989. "Kraft condemned to death by jury for serial killings." Los Angeles Times, August 12: 1.

—. 1988. "Kraft defense says marine found in car was not dead." Los Angeles Times, September 28: 76.

—. 1989. "Kraft guilty of 16 sex slayings, jury decides." Los Angeles Times, May 13: 1.

—. 1989. "Orange County jury gets Kraft serial murder case." Los Angeles Times, April 28: 76.

—. 1988. "Two other states were closing in on Kraft." Los Angeles Times, January 4: 3.

—. 1989. "Witness says Kraft drugged and sexually assaulted him in 1970." Los Angeles Times, June 6: 3.

Hughes, Beth. 1982. "L.A. area's missing youths-a trail of mystery and murder." San Francisco Examiner, August 23: B5.

Jarlson, Gary. 1983. "Suspect in 4 slayings also investigated in 6 Oregon murders." Los Angeles Times, May 19: 80.

Kennedy, J. Michael. 1978. "Four deaths turn into four mysteries." Los Angeles Times, September 2: 17.

Los Angeles Times. 1973. "Head of a man found in a bag at paper plant." Los Angeles Times, April 27: 23.

—. 1988. "Randy Kraft's scorecard?" Los Angeles Times, October 2: 117.

McDougal, Dennis. 1991. Angel of Darkness: The True Story of Randy Kraft and the Most Heinous Murder Spree. New York, NY: Warner Books.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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