Identification of Serial Killer’s Victim 45 Years Later

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A quiet stretch of highway, reminiscent of the unresolved mysteries of cold-case investigations.

News Summary

Larry Eugene Parks, a victim linked to serial killer Randy Kraft, has been identified nearly 45 years after his death. Using advancements in forensic genealogy, authorities revealed vital clues that uncovered Parks’ identity, who disappeared in 1979. Kraft, already serving life for multiple murders, remains the primary suspect in the case. The recent identification provides closure to Parks’ family and highlights the effectiveness of modern forensic techniques in solving cold cases.

Oregon – Almost 45 years after his death, Larry Eugene Parks, a 30-year-old man, has been identified as a victim linked to the notorious serial killer Randy Kraft. Parks was discovered along Interstate 5 in Oregon on July 18, 1980, but his identity remained unknown until recently when advances in forensic genealogy revealed vital clues.

According to the Oregon State Police, Randy Kraft, infamously dubbed the “Scorecard Killer,” is the sole suspect connected to Parks’ death. Kraft is currently serving a life sentence at San Quentin State Prison, having been convicted in 1989 for the murders of 16 men in California. Now 80 years old, he continues to profess his innocence regarding the allegations against him.

When Parks’ body was found in 1980, authorities launched a homicide investigation, yet they faced difficulties in identifying him for over four decades. He was a Vietnam War veteran who had lost contact with his family in 1979. At the time, he was last seen in Pensacola, Florida, leading to questions surrounding his disappearance and ultimately, his death.

In 2024, an investigator from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reached out to the Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit for assistance in identifying Parks. Utilizing forensic genealogy, they constructed a genetic profile from a blood sample taken from the crime scene. This cutting-edge technique allowed for a matching process with potential relatives who submitted their DNA for comparison.

The recent identification resolved a long-standing mystery for Parks’ family, who were unaware of the circumstances surrounding his disappearance until now. This identification follows a trend of using forensic genealogy to solve cold cases, as seen in 2023 when the remains of a teenager believed to be another victim of Kraft were identified using similar methods.

Further investigation is currently underway to establish a definite connection between Kraft and the circumstances surrounding Parks’ death. In a previously related case, Kraft was apprehended in 1983 when he was pulled over for erratic driving. During the stop, authorities discovered a deceased U.S. Marine in his passenger seat, prompting investigators to delve deeper into his activities. They uncovered a coded list that allegedly cataloged 67 potential victims across California, Oregon, and Michigan.

Kraft’s background has led prosecutors to label him as a fetishist, with accusations that he would preserve dismembered parts of his victims in his refrigerator—a chilling detail that further defines his criminal profile. The recent work on the Parks case emphasizes the continued efforts to unearth the truth hidden within decades of unsolved cases and underscores the role of modern forensic technology in law enforcement.

The ongoing investigation into Randy Kraft’s potential involvement in the deaths of additional victims remains a high priority for law enforcement. The evolving capabilities in forensic science are breathing new life into cold cases that have haunted families and communities for decades, providing hope for justice and closure.