Though Kraft was convicted of 16 murders in California in 1989, investigators believe he murdered at least 60 men across several states. Evidence from the murder scenes of both Parks and another unidentified man along I-5 was originally transferred to Orange County during Kraft’s trial.
That same evidence played a key role in the conviction—and later, in this long-awaited identification.
“The meticulous work of the cold case teams has given a name back to a forgotten soul,” said a spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
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Another Victim Identified in 2023
This is not the first time Kraft’s cold cases have been reopened. In 2023, another victim, an Iowa teenager, was identified using similar genealogy techniques.
These breakthroughs underscore the growing importance of DNA databases and cross-jurisdictional collaboration in resolving decades-old unsolved murders.
The Road Ahead
Investigators are now reviewing other cold cases potentially tied to Kraft’s killing spree. With Parks’ identity confirmed, there is renewed hope that other unidentified victims may soon be named, and families may finally receive closure.
