Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: December 12, 1976 from Long Beach, California Classification: Endangered Missing Date of Birth: March 10, 1957 Age: 19 years old Height and Weight: 6'3 - 6'4, 160 - 170 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Light brown hair, blue eyes. Fuchs has a Fu Manchu style mustache. His last name is pronounced "Fukes" and his family calls him Young Paul. He is of German and Hungarian descent. Clothing/Jewelry Description: Blue Jeans, light brown leather shoes with rounded toes, and lots jewelry.
Details of Disappearance
Fuchs was last seen in Long Beach, California on December 12, 1976. He lived with his parents and three older brothers on Redondo Avenue. That evening he ate dinner ahead of the rest of his family and went out with friends, leaving behind his wallet. He was last seen at the Ripples Bar in the company of a strange man. He made no withdrawals from his bank account after his disappearance and has never been heard from again.Fuchs is a graduate of Wilson High School. He was working odd jobs at the time of his disappearance while trying to decide his future. His family said he was close to them and always kept them informed of his whereabouts. His mother described him as a talented artist who could also cook, sew and iron. Prior to his disappearance, he was scheduled to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge of underage drinking. A warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to show up. His family went to the courthouse for the next several days in case he should come there, but he never did.
Authorities believe Fuchs may have been a victim of serial killer Randy Kraft, also known as the Scorecard Killer or the Freeway Killer, who targeted young men in the Los Angeles, California area in the 1970s and early 1980s. A photo of Kraft is posted below this case summary. He was a frequent patron of Ripples, and the man who was with Fuchs on the night of his disappearance resembled him. Kraft was convicted of sixteen murders in 1989, but is suspected of as many as fifty more. He is now awaiting execution on California's death row.
Fuchs was listed as a probable Kraft victim in 1983. His body has never been found and no one has been charged in his disappearance, however; it remains unsolved.
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Above: Randy Kraft
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 2 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated September 2, 2011; date of birth added.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Long Beach Police Department
562-570-8810
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The Los Angeles Times
California Attorney General's Office