A Mundane Letter from Serial Killer - Randy Kraft (The Freeway Killer)

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Ever wanted to get inside the mind of a serial killer? Well now you can, by reading a rather mundane letter by a serial killer. This week is the turn of an American serial killer called Randy Kraft, also known as the Scorecard Killer, who murdered at least 16 vulnerable and even homeless young men between 1972 and 1983, mostly in Southern California, and is also believed to have raped and murdered up to 51 other boys and young men. He is currently incarcerated on death row at San Quentin State Prison. A man of no remorse.

This is a one-page typed letter, with a letter head at the top marked RANDY S KRAFT, Box E-38700, San Quentin State Prison, dated 1st Nov 2001, and it’s clearly a mail-out with a hand-written note at the bottom, as there no introduction or even a hello at the top, it simply begins like this.

“I have been here at San Quentin since late 1989, and for most of that time, including now, I have been dirt poor since condemned prisoners in California are not allowed to work or have any business or income. (Yeah, it’s called prison Randy, you’re being punished for your crimes, but anyway, continue) I, like all others here, depend on the charity of people like you for money to buy simple necessities and food stuffs. Though not allowed to work, a prison store allows me to purchase $180 of such supplies per month. The State of California has determined that $180/month is a reasonable amount for a prisoner to spend. Since I have been here, I have rarely had $180 to spend. I have done without for long periods of time. This year to date, I have received a total of $237 in contributions, and some of that has been taken by San Quentin for fees and charges.

I need you help (misspelled). San Quentin allows you to send me a money order or check, made out to Randy Kraft, for any amount and as often as you like. Include it in the same envelope with a regular letter. Please do not send cash or stamps. Money orders are processed fairly fast, while personal checks are held for several months by San Quentin until they clear the bank.

Please, you say that your interest is friendly, and that you want to correspond in a friendly manner. I believe you. So please do what a friend would do in these circumstances. You can help. Please send a contribution“. Not signed off. At bottom, hand written: “John. Thanks for the letter. I hope to hear from you again. Randy”

Gosh, I hope he was sent enough pocket money by John to buy some sweeties, as they’re clearly best buddies? I don’t think I’ll rest until I know. Eek.

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Michael J Buchanan-Dunne is a writer, crime historian, podcaster and tour-guide who runs Murder Mile Walks, a guided tour of Soho’s most notorious murder cases, hailed as “one of the top ten curious, quirky, unusual and different things to do in London”, nominated "one of the best true-crime  podcasts at the British Podcast Awards 2018", and featuring 12 murderers, including 3 serial killers, across 15 locations, totaling 50 deaths, over just a one mile walk