Paul Joseph Fuchs, a 19-year-old White male from Long Beach, California, was last seen on the evening of December 12, 1976. Although some sources list his date of death as December 10, 1976, the most consistent accounts indicate he disappeared on the 12th. Paul lived with his parents and three older brothers on Redondo Avenue. That night, he had dinner early and went out with friends, leaving behind his wallet. He was last seen at Ripples Bar, a local nightclub in Long Beach, in the company of an unidentified man. Witnesses later described this man as resembling Randy Kraft, a convicted serial killer known for targeting young men in Southern California during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Paul Joseph Fuchs, a White male, stood approximately 6'3" tall and weighed between 160 and 170 pounds. He had brown hair and blue eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing blue jeans and light brown rounded-toe leather shoes. He was known to wear a lot of jewelry. Paul had graduated from Wilson High School and was working odd jobs while contemplating his future. His family described him as a talented artist who also enjoyed cooking, sewing, and ironing. He was close to his family and typically kept them informed of his whereabouts, making his sudden disappearance all the more alarming.
Prior to vanishing, Paul was scheduled to appear in court for a misdemeanor charge related to underage drinking. When he failed to show up, a warrant was issued for his arrest. His family visited the courthouse repeatedly in hopes he might appear, but he never did. No activity was recorded on his bank account after his disappearance, and he was never heard from again. Authorities suspect that Paul may have been one of the victims of Randy Kraft, also known as the "Scorecard Killer" or "Freeway Killer." Kraft was a frequent visitor to Ripples Bar, and the man seen with Paul on the night of his disappearance bore a strong resemblance to him.
Despite these suspicions, no arrests have been made in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of Paul Joseph Fuchs, the 19-year-old White male from Long Beach. His case remains classified as an endangered missing person. Investigators have not publicly confirmed Kraft’s involvement, and no definitive evidence has been released linking Kraft to Paul’s disappearance. The Long Beach Police Department continues to list the case as open, and DNA, dental records, and fingerprints are available for identification purposes.
