Morbid Podcast – Episode 700: Randy Kraft: The Scorecard Killer (Part 3)

August 21, 2025 | Morbid Network | Wondery

Episode Overview

In this third and final chapter covering Randy Kraft, known as "The Scorecard Killer," Ash and Elena bring listeners through the chilling escalation of one of America’s most prolific and sadistic serial killers. With their signature blend of deep research, true crime analysis, and candid (often darkly humorous) banter, the hosts trace Kraft’s final murders, his modus operandi, the expansive investigation, and his eventual capture and trial. Amidst the discussion of horrifying crimes, they also grapple with the toll on victims’ families and the unanswered questions about possible accomplices. This episode pulls no punches regarding the forensic, legal, and human sides of an almost unimaginable killing spree.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up: Life Updates and Show Announcements

• The hosts begin the episode in a playful, irreverent tone—sharing concert stories (Rod Stewart's farewell tour, Ghost at TD Garden) and personal updates.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • "Anything for Rod." — Both Ash and Elena (06:32)
    • "That song 'Do You Think I’m Sexy?' is gonna get caught in your head for years to come!" — Elena (07:38)
• Announcement: Their "ReWatcher" podcast will cover "True Blood" next.

2. Why the Case Is So Complex & Lengthy

• Elena explains the decision to keep this a long episode rather than splitting it:
  • The darkness of the case, the sheer number of victims, and the lack of natural 'break points' in the narrative.
  • "This is gonna be kind of a long episode, but it’s the end, so we’re gonna get to some kind of resolution..." — Elena (10:36)

3. Kraft’s Escalation: From Freedom Back to Murder

Begins deeper dive at ~11:26

• Kraft remained free in the late 1970s/early 80s due to lack of evidence, even as suspicions mounted.
• His life with boyfriend Jeff Selig seemed stable for a time, as did a business career, but the peace was a facade—murders continued in waves.

4. Signature Crimes and Victims (Timeline & Patterns)

Elena walks through key murder cases, illustrating disturbing trends:

• Use of drugs (Valium, Tylenol, antihistamines) and alcohol to incapacitate victims.
• Victims (often hitchhikers, servicemen) discovered bound, sexually assaulted, and tortured.
• Cases across California and Oregon, with many bodies dumped off freeways, consistent use of ligatures, and evidence often found months or years later.

Notable Cases (with Crime Details and Forensic Notes)

• Michael Sean O'Fallon (17): Hogtied, strangulation, drugged. (14:11)
• Larry Parks (30): Strangulation with Valium and painkillers in his system. (16:06)
• Robert Loggins Jr. (19): Found at El Toro Air Base, bound, single sock, high blood alcohol, possible smothering/asphyxia. (17:33)
• Michael Cluck (17): Struck 16 times, massive head wounds, drugs/alcohol in system—Kraft visited ER soon after for a foot injury, possibly from the attack. (19:26)
• Raymond Davis (13) and Robert Avila Jr. (16): Youngest victims so far, found together near Hollywood Freeway, weeks apart, both strangled—shocked even the hosts. (23:23)
• Bryant Witcher (26): Missing clothing found later in Kraft’s home. (25:47)
• Lance Taggs (19): Died with orange gym sock shoved down his throat. (27:08)

5. Forensic Links & Modus Operandi (MO)

• Use of drugs to control/knock out victims.
• Items consistently stolen/collected as trophies (camera, gym bag, jackets, personal effects), later found in Kraft’s home.
• A blend of control and calculated movement: fewer murders during happy life periods, bursts of killings during times of emotional turmoil. (21:31)

6. Possible Accomplices

• Evidence suggests more than one person at some disposal sites (footprints, movement of bodies).
  • "Detectives were never able to determine who, if anyone, had helped him commit the murders or dispose of the bodies..." — Elena (59:12)
• Photographs taken with traditional film, but Kraft lacked the skills/darkroom for development, implying outside assistance. (60:10)
• Multiple former boyfriends investigated, but no charges/clear evidence.

7. Investigation, Breakthroughs & Kraft’s Arrest

(Timeline resumes at ~41:49)

• Highways, multiple victims, and slowly collaborating investigations in Oregon and California begin revealing an interstate pattern.

• Growing serial murder evidence: matching fibers from car/home, body disposal patterns, and finally—luck.

  The Capture (42:49):

  • Kraft pulled over for erratic driving; passenger Terry Gambrell found dead in his car, amidst pills, ligatures, and blood—caught mid-disposal.
  • "So they caught this man mid... mid disposal of a body." — Ash (44:02)

• Evidence found in car/home: murder supplies, blood, victims' belongings, and most significantly, a three-ring "scorecard" notebook with 61 cryptic murder references.

8. The Infamous "Scorecard" and Evidence Trove

• 61 entries, each a shorthand for a murder (e.g., “parking lot,” “diabetic,” “two in one”)—remarkable for its callousness and specificity.
  • "This is where the Scorecard Killer’s name comes from. This document eventually was referred to as his scorecard..." — Elena (51:42)
• Dozens of explicit photographs, identifiable victims alive and dead, personal items from confirmed and suspected victims.

9. Legal Proceedings, Defense Tactics, and the Verdict

• DA and prosecution built their case over years, focusing on 16 cases with irrefutable links (forensics, belongings, photos, fibers, fingerprints).
• Defense attempted alternate suspect theories, alibis, and even claimed the scorecard was a birthday guest list.
  • "It may be no more than a guest list for a roommate's birthday party." — Defense attorney Merwin (70:24)
• Kraft acted as co-counsel, cross-examining witnesses aggressively.
• Jury deliberated 11 days; found him guilty of all 16 murders, plus additional charges (74:12–74:43).
• Sentenced to death in 1989, frequently appealing but remaining on death row (no execution due to California’s moratorium).

10. Reflection: Victims’ Families, Systemic Issues, and Lingering Questions

• Deep empathy for families witnessing brutal evidence at trial.
  • "Every mother in there had 16 beautiful sons, and that guy destroyed them. He should pay something.” — Jeffrey Nelson’s mother, Judy (71:59)
• The hosts reflect on true crime’s impact—on themselves, on listeners, on society.
• Persistent mystery: Who developed the photos? Who was the possible accomplice? Will advances in forensics one day answer these questions?

Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• Elena: "It’s a lighthearted nightmare in here, weirdos!" (00:00)
• Ash: "Anything for Rod." (06:32) — Fun, irreverent moment early on.
• Elena: "He’s just shaking his bum on the street... Good for him. Shake his butt." (08:38)
• Elena: "Sorry. I’m about to take you down. This is gonna be a long one." (09:59) — Tone shift before launching into case.
• Ash (on young male victims): "They're like little kids." (24:53)
• Elena (on the callousness of the scorecard): "He just didn’t even bother [using their real names]." (54:20)
• Ash (on Kraft’s lawyer): "You know what’s like free to do? To shut the fuck up? It costs you $0." (49:06)
• On the “birthday guest list” defense:
  • Elena: "I'd love to know who's coming to his birthday party named 'Portland Head.'" (70:52)
  • Ash: "Two for one. Yeah... Get a grip." (70:50)
• Elena: “It just came down to fucking luck.” (46:00, 46:14) — on how Kraft was finally caught.
• Jury reaction: "One juror said, 'I’m never going to be normal again. I was so naive about so many things.'" (75:36)
• Ash: "It never ceases to amaze me that people like this exist. That’s the thing—what happens to make people this way?" (81:46)
• Elena: "Like, when does it stop? And when does he get caught? Because I can't read about another one of these." (82:44)
• On accomplice mystery:
  • Elena: "Who the fuck had a darkroom and was developing these sick photos?" (60:16)
  • Ash: "That could have been more than one person. It’s horrifying that nobody was willing to come forward..." (61:22)
• On Kraft’s denial (post-conviction):
  • Elena: "He said the scorecard was just a birthday guest list. One column was the names of people I wanted to invite and the other column were maybes. It was in code so he wouldn’t recognize it because he was going to surprise his roommate." (80:14)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Episode Mood Set & Host Banter: 02:07–09:52
• Why the Case Is Split as It Is: 09:59–11:19
• Resuming the Timeline (Murders Continue): 11:26
• Graphic Crime Details (Kraft’s Oregon Victims): ~14:11–18:50
• The Scorecard/Linking Evidence: 51:38–54:20
• Kraft’s Arrest: 42:49–45:17
• Discovery and Implications of the Scorecard: 51:38–54:20
• Legal Case, Defense Antics, and Verdict: 62:32–74:43
• Reflection on Victims, True Crime Community: 71:44–76:42
• Final Reflection, Unanswered Questions, Kraft Today: 77:46–84:16

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

Ash and Elena close with a reflection on the magnitude of Kraft's crimes, the trauma experienced by the families, and the personal toll of researching such evil. They express deep empathy for all affected, underscore the complexity and horror of cases like Kraft’s, and tease a much-needed lighter, spooky-topic episode next. The Scorecard Killer case stands out—for its brutality, duration, and chilling evidence—as one of the most unnerving and significant the show has ever examined.

Note:
If you or someone you know is researching this case or exploring its impact, this episode is both a thorough true crime resource and a reminder of the resilience of victims’ families, the slow progress of forensic science, and the enduring mystery that shrouds serial crimes—even decades later.