Cold Case Victim Identified as Larry Eugene Parks

Categories: Breaking NewsCrimeGovernment NewsNews

A landscape near Interstate 5 evokes the unresolved mysteries of cold cases and the pursuit of justice.

News Summary

Larry Eugene Parks has been identified as a cold case victim whose remains were found alongside Interstate 5 in 1980. Parks, a Vietnam veteran, was determined to be a homicide victim. His case may be linked to serial killer Randy Kraft, who is on death row. The identification was confirmed through DNA analysis and forensic genealogy, bringing closure to Parks’ family after decades of uncertainty. Law enforcement continues to explore the ties between Parks’ death and Kraft’s notorious crime spree while utilizing modern investigative technologies.

Woodburn, Oregon – Larry Eugene Parks has been identified as a cold case victim whose remains were discovered alongside Interstate 5 in July 1980. Parks, a 30-year-old Vietnam veteran, was determined to be a homicide victim, and his case may be linked to the infamous serial killer known as the ‘Scorecard Killer,’ Randy Steven Kraft.

The identification of Parks comes more than 45 years after his death. His remains were located on July 18, 1980, approximately one mile south of Woodburn, just a day after another unidentified body, identified as Michael O’Fallon, had been found under similar circumstances along the same interstate. While authorities initially suspected that the deaths were connected, investigations into both cases went cold due to a shortage of leads.

Parks’ family reported losing contact with him in 1979, with his last known whereabouts being in Pensacola, Florida. The breakthrough in his case was made possible through DNA analysis and forensic genealogy, allowing investigators to confirm his identity after decades of uncertainty.

As law enforcement agencies continue to examine the circumstances surrounding Parks’ death, they are especially interested in any connections to Randy Kraft. Kraft is a convicted serial killer currently on death row, known for his gruesome crimes committed against at least 16 young men in California during the 1970s and 1980s. Some estimates suggest he may be responsible for over 60 killings along the West Coast and in Michigan.

Kraft’s criminal activities began to unravel when California Highway Patrol officers arrested him in 1983 during a traffic stop, where they discovered the body of Terry Lee Gambrel in his vehicle. Investigators later found a coded list of names in Kraft’s trunk, which is believed to document his murder history.

The link between Parks and Kraft was revived after an investigator from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department contacted Oregon authorities last year. This led to the application of forensic genealogy, which has proven effective in solving cold cases. Family members of Parks provided DNA samples for comparison, which ultimately confirmed his identity.

The use of similar forensic methods recently enabled authorities to identify Michael Ray Schlicht in late 2023, further demonstrating the potential of modern investigative technologies in resolving long-unsolved cases.

At 80 years old, Kraft remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Men in Chino, awaiting execution after his conviction in May 1989. The ongoing collaboration between the Orange County and Oregon State Police aims to uncover the full circumstances surrounding Parks’ demise and solidify any connections to Kraft’s notorious crime spree.

The re-identification of Larry Eugene Parks highlights the persistent efforts of law enforcement to bring closure to cold cases involving victims of serial killers. The advancements in forensic genealogy offer renewed hope for families of other unidentified victims, giving them a chance for long-awaited answers and justice.