Badly decomposed shot body found in a remote area on a logging road behind College of the Siskiyous in Weed. He and fellow murder victim Paul Beards had reportedly been traveling together to southern Oregon to seek jobs.
On January 28, 1983, Randy David Horton, a 26-year-old male, was found dead near Scott Valley, California. Horton was last seen hitchhiking from his grandmother's home in San Jose, California, and he was reportedly traveling toward Spokane, Washington. His body was discovered on the side of the road, inside a sleeping bag. The circumstances of his death indicate that he was likely strangled, possibly by the person who had offered him a ride. Horton’s suitcase was also found abandoned on the side of a highway, further suggesting that he may have been a victim of an opportunistic killer while hitchhiking.
The case of Randy Horton bears some similarities to those associated with notorious serial killers who were active in California during the early 1980s, such as Randy Kraft, also known as the "Scorecard Killer." Kraft was known for targeting hitchhikers, and Horton’s manner of death, along with the fact that he was hitchhiking, led some investigators and amateur sleuths to suspect that Kraft might have been involved. However, no direct evidence has been publicly confirmed to establish a definite link between Kraft and Horton’s homicide. Despite some speculation about Kraft’s involvement, Randy Horton's death remains an unsolved homicide.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Horton’s death are emblematic of the dangers faced by young travelers during a time when several serial killers were operating along the West Coast. The authorities continue to classify this case as a cold case, and any new leads or evidence could be vital in finally solving the mystery of Randy Horton's death.
