Nearly 50 years later, a man whose remains were discovered along an Oregon highway has been identified. Authorities suspect the notorious serial killer known as the “scorecard killer” may be connected to this cold case.
On Friday, Oregon Police revealed that the deceased individual was Larry Eugene Parks, identified as 30-year-old John Daw, who passed away on Interstate 5 on July 18, 1980.
Though investigations began following the tragic discovery, interest dwindled until a recent breakthrough led to the identification of the veteran.
A blood sample taken in January 2024, belonging to Parks—a Vietnamese veteran who lost contact with his family prior to his death—helped detectives locate potential relatives.
Using genetic profiling, law enforcement managed to confirm his identity, police reported.
“Until we identified him last month, his family was unaware of what had happened to Parks,” police stated.
Randy Kraft, referred to as the “scorecard killer,” is currently the primary suspect in this 1980 case, according to Kyle Kennedy, a spokesperson for the Oregon State Police.
Kennedy expressed his confidence, saying, “I truly believe we have the right leads.”
Now 80 years old, Kraft has been convicted of the gruesome murders of 16 men over a ten-year span in Orange County, California, and is also linked to around 60 additional murders across the West Coast and Michigan, authorities mentioned.
Kraft remains incarcerated at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
After confirming Parks’ identity, investigators are now focused on resolving this long-standing case.
Kraft was apprehended in 1983 following a routine traffic stop that uncovered the body of Terry Lee Gambrell in his vehicle. Additionally, a scorecard in his trunk detailed 67 other potential victims, which is how he earned his infamous nickname.
In 2023, authorities also connected Kraft to the death of a teenager from Iowa in 1974, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Kraft remains in custody at San Quentin.
