Cold Case Cracked: Vietnam Veteran Identified as Possible Victim of Scorecard Killer

For over four decades, the identity of a homicide victim discovered in Oregon remained a haunting mystery. Now, thanks to advances in DNA technology and tireless efforts by law enforcement, the victim has been identified as Larry Eugene Parks, a 30-year-old Vietnam veteran. This breakthrough has reopened a cold case from 1980 and raised the possibility that Parks was a victim of Randy Steven Kraft, the notorious "Scorecard Killer."

Oregon State Police revealed that DNA samples were instrumental in identifying Parks, whose body was found in July 1980 near Interstate 5 in Oregon. The discovery occurred just a day after the body of Michael O’Fallon was found approximately 34 miles south in Talbot, also along Interstate 5. Investigators at the time suspected a connection between the two killings, but the leads eventually dried up, and the cases went cold.

With Parks’ identity finally established, investigators are now focused on resolving the 45-year-old case. A key aspect of the investigation is determining whether the killing is linked to Randy Steven Kraft. Kraft, also known as the Southern California Strangler and the Freeway Killer, was convicted of 16 murders in California committed during the 1970s and 1980s. However, authorities believe he may be responsible for many more deaths along the West Coast and even in Michigan.

Author Jack Smith, in his book "The Scorecard Killer: The Life of Serial Killer Randy Steven Kraft," detailed Kraft’s modus operandi. Kraft, a computer programmer, allegedly targeted hitchhikers and unsuspecting individuals at bars, subjecting them to torture, mutilation, and sexual assault. His victims were predominantly gay men.

Notably, evidence from both the Oregon killings of Parks and O’Fallon was used during Kraft’s trial. This evidence was retained by authorities in Orange County, California, until last year, highlighting the potential link between these cases and Kraft’s known crimes. The grim reality is that numerous bodies of young men were discovered throughout Orange County and Southern California during the period when Kraft was active, with several found within a few miles of where Parks’ remains were ultimately identified.

Kraft’s reign of terror came to an end in 1983 when he was pulled over by a California Highway Patrol officer for swerving on Interstate 5 near Mission Viejo, Orange County. A shocking discovery awaited the officer: the body of Terry Lee Gambrel, a 25-year-old Marine corporal, was found in the front seat of Kraft’s vehicle. Alongside the body were empty beer bottles and an open bottle of the sedative medication Lorazepam.

Further investigation revealed that Gambrel had hitched a ride with Kraft with plans to meet friends at a party, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Department. A subsequent search of the trunk uncovered a coded list that authorities believe Kraft used to record incidents involving at least 67 victims. This list earned him the chilling moniker "Scorecard Killer."

Kraft’s trial culminated in May 1989 with his conviction for 16 murders in California. Despite the conviction, the true extent of his crimes remains uncertain, with authorities suspecting his involvement in over 60 killings spanning the West Coast and even reaching Michigan. Now 80 years old, Kraft remains on death row at the California Institution for Men in Chino, California, awaiting his fate.

The circumstances surrounding Parks’ disappearance and death are equally tragic. According to Oregon State Police, Parks’ family lost contact with him in 1979. His last known location was Pensacola, Florida. The discovery of his unidentified body near Woodburn, Oregon, in Marion County, between Portland and Salem, in 1980 initiated a homicide investigation. However, despite efforts to identify him, he remained a John Doe until recently.

The breakthrough in the case came last year when an Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigator contacted the Oregon department’s cold case unit, offering assistance in identifying Parks’ remains using forensic genealogy. This involved tracing potential family members and requesting DNA samples for comparison. The painstaking process ultimately led to the definitive identification of Parks, providing his family with answers after decades of uncertainty.

The use of forensic genealogy has also proven successful in another cold case. In October 2023, Orange County investigators utilized the same technology to identify Michael Ray Schlicht of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Schlicht’s body was discovered in 1974 near Laguna Hills, now the city of Aliso Viejo, California. Investigators are currently working to determine whether Kraft is linked to Schlicht’s death, underscoring the ongoing effort to unravel the full scope of Kraft’s potential crimes.

The identification of Larry Eugene Parks as a possible victim of Randy Steven Kraft represents a significant development in a decades-old cold case. It also highlights the power of DNA technology and the dedication of law enforcement in pursuing justice for victims and their families, even after the passage of many years. The investigation into Parks’ death is ongoing, and authorities are hopeful that they can finally bring closure to this tragic chapter in Oregon’s history. The potential connection to the notorious Scorecard Killer adds another layer of complexity to the case, but investigators are determined to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable.