Where Is Randy Kraft Now? Inside the Life and Legacy of the ‘Scorecard Killer’
This article explores the current whereabouts of Randy Steven Kraft, the notorious Scorecard Killer. It traces his life from his early years through his gruesome crimes, conviction, and his current status on death row.
It also highlights recent cold-case breakthroughs linking him to additional victims in Oregon. Understanding his location, sentence, and ongoing investigations helps explain why Kraft’s story continues to draw public attention decades after his conviction.
A Chilling Freeway Stop
In May 1983, a routine highway stop on California’s Interstate 5 led officers to a horrifying discovery: a deceased Marine in the passenger seat of Randy Steven Kraft’s vehicle. That moment would expose one of the most terrifying serial killers in American history and spark decades of investigation. Today, many still ask: Where is Randy Kraft now?
Biographical Background: From Long Beach to Freeway Killer
Randy Kraft was born on March 19, 1945, in Long Beach, California. He was the youngest of four children in a strict household. A bright student, he later graduated with a degree in economics. After a brief stint in the U.S. Air Force, Kraft began living a double life.
By the early 1970s, he was secretly targeting young men. Investigators believe Kraft may have murdered up to 67 victims across California, Oregon, and Michigan. Most of his victims were young men found along highways, often showing signs of extreme abuse. The cryptic list found in his car—later called “the scorecard”—suggested he kept count.
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Arrest, Conviction, and Death Row Sentence
Kraft was arrested on May 14, 1983, during a routine traffic stop. Officers noticed a lifeless man in the passenger seat and uncovered disturbing items, including prescription drugs, alcohol, and the coded scorecard. A thorough investigation led to 16 murder charges.
In 1989, Kraft was convicted and sentenced to death. Prosecutors presented overwhelming forensic evidence, and the jury returned a guilty verdict in less than three days. Though sentenced to die, Kraft has remained on death row for over three decades, mainly due to the slow appeals process in California.
Where Is Randy Kraft Now? Death Row at San Quentin
Today, Randy Kraft is alive and incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison in California. At age 80, he remains on death row, making him one of the oldest and longest-serving inmates awaiting execution in the state.
California has not executed anyone since 2006, and Kraft continues to file appeals challenging his conviction. He has never confessed to the crimes and still maintains his innocence in court filings. Kraft’s prison life is heavily restricted, with minimal contact and limited privileges, reflecting the severity of his offenses.
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Cold-Case Connections: New Victims, Extended Legacy
Recent advancements in DNA technology and genetic genealogy have breathed new life into decades-old cold cases. In 2025, law enforcement officials identified a previously unknown victim—Vietnam veteran Larry Eugene Parks—whose remains were found in 1980 in Oregon. Investigators linked the murder to Kraft, placing him in Oregon at the time.
Another victim, 17-year-old Michael Ray Schlicht, was identified using similar forensic techniques. These breakthroughs suggest that Kraft’s victim count may be even higher than initially believed. Law enforcement agencies in multiple states are now re-examining cold cases that match Kraft’s pattern.
Current Status and Outlook: A Life Behind Bars
Randy Kraft will likely spend the rest of his life on death row. With his appeals continuing and California’s death penalty on indefinite hold, execution appears unlikely. However, the legal system remains committed to investigating other possible victims.
Kraft’s case continues to serve as a grim reminder that justice is delayed, but not forgotten. Families of newly identified victims are beginning to find closure, and forensic teams are hopeful that more names will be returned to the unidentified. Kraft’s prison life is isolated, quiet, and far removed from the man who once traveled highways with deadly intent.
Final Words
Randy Kraft remains a chilling figure in the history of American crime. His nickname, the Scorecard Killer, reflects both the brutality and the calculated nature of his acts. Now confined to a cell at San Quentin, his legacy continues to unfold through cold-case identifications and forensic discoveries.
His case demonstrates how justice can span generations, providing answers even decades after the fact. While Kraft may never leave prison, the names of his victims are finally beginning to be heard—and remembered.
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